MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

The right-hander entered camp on the fringes of Washington's rotation competition, but he began transitioning to a multi-inning relief role in mid-March. Rutledge allowed three earned runs with a 9:2 K:BB over 8.1 big-league innings last year, but he spent most of the campaign at Rochester, where he had a 6.40 ERA in 27 starts.

The Nationals placed Brzykcy (quadriceps) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to March 24.

Brzykcy was limited to just one spring game due to a lingering quadriceps injury. He's eligible to return from the IL in early April, but he'll need to ramp up his activity via extended spring training or a rehab assignment before being ready for major-league action. Brzykcy made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Nationals, and across six games he allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Yepez to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Yepez managed just a .559 OPS through 48 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League, which is enough of a drop from his performance in the majors last year (.764 OPS) to have him sent back to Triple-A. He should receive regular playing time while in Rochester and may be a candidate to serve as bench depth in Washington if his bat gets hot.

The Nationals transferred Herz (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Herz was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his left elbow Tuesday, which typically leads to season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old southpaw may attempt to rehab the injury before resorting to surgery, but he's due for an extended absence either way. He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Brad Lord, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester.

The Nationals placed Chaparro (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Chaparro suffered a left oblique strain during batting practice in mid-March. He's eligible to return from the IL on April 4, but he'll likely need to ramp up his activity during extended spring training or on a rehab stint in the minors before being ready for major-league action. He played 33 games for Washington in 2024, but it's unclear whether he would immediately join major-league roster once fully healthy.

The Nationals selected Lord's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Lord finished spring training with a 6.08 ERA and 8:3 K:BB across 13.1 innings -- not good enough to win a starting job, but just enough to earn a spot as a long reliever. The 25-year-old righty logged a 3.93 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 55 Triple-A frames last season, and his first appearance of 2025 will mark his MLB debut. DJ Herz (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Nationals reassigned Knizner to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Knizner landed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Jan. 17. That contract included an invitation to spring training, though he struggled to a .120/.214/.120 slash line across 28 plate appearances. Knizner will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but he could get a call-up to the majors if Keibert Ruiz or Riley Adams miss time.

Acuna will be on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The .966 OPS that Acuna delivered in his first 14 games of MLB action late in the regular season last year didn't quite carry over into spring training, as he wrapped up camp with a .250/.304/.269 slash line alongside five RBI, seven runs scored and three steals in 21 Grapefruit League games. Likely destined to spend most days on the Mets' bench, the 23-year-old's best path to playing time is in the short side of a platoon with Brett Baty at second base until Jeff McNeil (oblique) returns.

Cruz is working out with the Padres at Petco Park on Wednesday and could be included on their Opening Day roster, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cruz was optioned to minor-league camp in mid-March, but it looks like he will wind up making the team after all. The left-hander would be making his major-league debut if he gets into a game.

Miller (concussion) is listed as a projected starter for Triple-A Oklahoma City's third game of the season Sunday versus Sugar Land.

Miller was unable to make a push for a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster after he took a comebacker to the head in his Cactus League debut Feb. 20, resulting in him being placed in concussion protocol. Though he didn't make any other appearances in spring training, Miller was cleared to resume throwing a few days after suffering the injury and was able to get stretched out through simulated games and minor-league games on the back fields of camp. Miller should make regular turns through the Oklahoma City rotation as he keeps himself ready for a potential starting opportunity with the Dodgers later on in the season.