MLB Player News

Outman will be included on the Dodgers' 31-man travel roster for their season-opening two-game series in Japan versus the Cubs on March 18 and 19, but it's not yet decided whether he'll be included on the active roster, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Before the two-game set against the Cubs, the Dodgers will play a pair of exhibition contests against teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization. While Outman will make the trip to Tokyo and could play in the exhibitions, a spot on Los Angeles' Opening Day roster is far from a certainty. After a promising rookie campaign, the outfielder struggled in 2024, posting a meager .521 OPS with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate over 156 plate appearances. Punchouts have continued to be a problem this spring -- Outman has fanned a team-leading 14 times in 29 plate appearances, though he has contributed one home run, five RBI and two stolen bases.

The Diamondbacks optioned Diaz to Triple-A Reno on Monday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Diaz has tossed 3.2 innings this spring, but he's far down in the Arizona rotation pecking order. The 24-year-old has some of the best stuff among Diamondbacks pitching prospects, but whether or not he'll be able to remain a starting pitcher will depend on his ability to throw enough strikes.

The Brewers optioned Wolfram to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Wolfram got a major-league contract from the Brewers this offseason even though he's never spent time in the big leagues, but he didn't look like a major leaguer this spring in yielding five runs (four earned) on seven hits and five walks over five innings. The lefty reliever will try to impress at Nashville to earn a look by the big club later on.

The Brewers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez might not have made the Opening Day roster no matter how well he pitched this spring, but he didn't do himself any favors in getting touched up for eight runs over 4.2 frames in Cactus League action. The 23-year-old will represent rotation depth at Nashville.

Acuna has consistently been launching tape-measure home runs in batting practice as he continues his recovery from ACL surgery performed on his left knee in June of 2024, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "He's probably as strong as he's ever been," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said after one such display.

While Acuna may not be as busy on the basepaths as he's been in the past once he's cleared to rejoin the lineup -- he's now had ACL surgeries on each knee -- the 27-year-old outfielder could make up for it by taking a run at his career high of 41 homers, a mark he set in 2019 and tied in 2023. Atlanta has yet to provide a firm target date for Acuna's 2025 debut, and he's expected to begin his campaign with a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the IL, which could keep him out into early May.

The Brewers optioned Henderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Henderson has been excellent this spring, boasting an 8:1 K:BB over 5.2 scoreless innings. However, there's not room for him on the major-league roster at this point, so he'll join the Nashville rotation for now. Henderson has a chance to make some starts for the Brewers later on this season.

The Brewers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers acquired Anderson via trade from the Rangers in January before watching him struggle this spring, allowing five runs over 3.2 innings of work. Anderson will head to Nashville for now but should get a shot in Milwaukee's bullpen eventually.

The Brewers optioned Quero (shoulder) to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said before the start of camp that he expected Quero to play in Cactus League games this spring, but the young catcher didn't see any action before getting cut. Quero missed virtually all of the 2024 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but Murphy said Monday that he anticipates that the 22-year-old will be ready to serve as a designated hitter when Nashville's season begins March 28, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Murphy will receive a second epidural shot this week to address a mid-back disc herniation and will be limited strictly to rehab work for the next two weeks following the injection, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Murphy can safely be ruled out from being ready for Opening Day, which had already been expected after he had yet to appear in any Cactus League games before being diagnosed with the disc issue in late February. Given that he missed most of the 2024 season after suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee, Murphy will likely be eased along slowly in his rehab program for his back injury once he's cleared to resume baseball activities. With Murphy set to begin the season on the shelf, Sam Huff or non-roster invitee Max Stassi could break camp as the Giants' No. 2 catcher behind Patrick Bailey.

Meckler was diagnosed with a concussion and a mild neck strain after being re-evaluated Monday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Meckler sustained the injuries in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, when he was removed from the contest in the first inning after falling hard to the ground while unsuccessfully trying to reel in a line drive off the bat of Ian Happ. Though neither injury is believed to be a long-term concern, Meckler likely won't be available to play for at least a few days, and the missed time could hurt his chances of winning a reserve outfield spot on the Giants' Opening Day roster.