MLB Player News

The Phillies reassigned De La Cruz to minor-league camp Sunday.

De La Cruz appeared in 16 games for Atlanta to begin 2025 but slashed .191/.240/.213 across 50 plate appearances before being waived in May, spending the rest of the year in the Yankees' organization. The 29-year-old linked up with the Phillies on a minor-league deal over the winter and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Phillies reassigned Peguero to minor-league camp Sunday.

Peguero is expected to open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after falling short in his bid for a utility spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old went just 6-for-42 (.143 average) over 17 Grapefruit League games.

Kerkering (hamstring) will begin the regular season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander has made just one Grapefruit League appearance this spring while working his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, so he'll get some more time to build up before joining the Phillies. Once healthy, Kerkering is expected to fill a setup role after recording four saves and 19 holds with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:27 K:BB across 60 regular-season innings last year.

Benson is expected to make the Opening Day roster, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds announced a slew of roster moves Saturday and Benson survived the cuts, as both JJ Bleday and Rece Hinds were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. The roster doesn't have to be officially set until just before Opening Day, so a late waiver claim could bring a change. Benson, who swatted his fifth spring home run Saturday, is batting .250 (10-for-40) with eight walks, eight RBI and 14 runs scored over 16 Cactus League games.

Abbott allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox.

Abbott made his sixth and final Cactus League start before taking the mound Opening Day against the Red Sox. The good news is that the left-hander upped his pitch count to 84 (52 strikes), and he was better than his previous outing when he gave up eight runs on eight hits and three walks over two innings. He finished the spring having allowed home runs in all six of his outings with an 11.72 ERA, eight walks and 28 hits, but 22 strikeouts over 17.2 innings.

Ruiz was diagnosed Sunday with a high-grade left oblique strain and is expected to require 6-to-8 weeks of recovery time, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Ruiz appeared to be on track to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster as a potential short-side platoon player due to his speed and ability to cover all three outfield spots, but the oblique injury he sustained Friday will end up forcing him to the injured list. His oblique strain is considered more severe than the one recently sustained by fellow outfielder Kyle Stowers, who is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. The injuries to Ruiz and Stowers likely strengthen Heriberto Hernandez's chances of beginning the season as an everyday player for Miami.

Stowers will begin the season on the injured list and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after being diagnosed Sunday with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers sustained the injury during Friday's Grapefruit League contest, which occurred less than a week after he returned from a minor strain of the same hamstring suffered earlier in spring training. The 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least the first half of April, and a specific return date should come into focus as he moves through his rehab program.

The Cardinals have informed Pushard that he will be on the Opening Day roster, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Pushard was slowed by illness early on in camp, but he's since rebounded and holds a 3.12 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 8.2 frames during Grapefruit League play. In order for the Cardinals to maintain his rights, Pushard must remain on the major-league roster or injured list the entire season, with at least 90 days spent on the active roster and not the IL. The 28-year-old is expected to fill a low-leverage role in the bullpen.

The Phillies optioned Shugart to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Shugart was acquired from the Pirates in January but has missed out on the Opening Day roster after posting a 3.72 ERA and 7:7 K:BB over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings. The right-hander had a 3.40 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 35 appearances with Pittsburgh last year and should be up with Philadelphia at some point this season when bullpen depth is needed.

McCambley was returned to the Marlins on Sunday after being waived by the Phillies.

The right-hander was selected during the Rule 5 Draft in December but missed out on the Phillies' Opening Day roster after giving up one run with a 4:6 K:BB across 7.1 innings during spring training. McCambley finished last season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he had a 3.67 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 53:16 K:BB across 42.1 innings.