MLB Player News

Manager Craig Stammen said Friday that Matsui (groin) will begin the season on the injured list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Matsui hasn't appeared in a game this spring after suffering a groin injury during a live BP session in February. He resumed throwing off a mound in early March, and Stammen added that the 30-year-old southpaw is slated to resume facing live hitters within the next several days. Assuming his rehab continues to progress smoothly, he may not need to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the IL.

The Diamondbacks optioned Strowd to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Strowd showed a lot of promise during his first season in the majors last year, posting a 1.71 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 26.1 frames with the Orioles. He joined the Diamondbacks via trade in February and entered spring training with a chance to make the big club's Opening Day roster, but he will instead head back to Triple-A after allowing 10 earned runs in just 7.2 Cactus League innings. Arizona is running a bit thin on reliable relievers, as the team is set to begin the regular season without A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow), so Strowd could be invited back into the big-league bullpen if he returns to form in the minors.

Atlanta assigned Williams to minor-league camp Friday.

Williams, a 29-year-old utility player, was a long shot to make the big-league roster, and Friday's move confirms he'll open 2026 in the minor leagues. Williams went 6-for-30 (.200) with one homer, one double and a 4:10 BB:K during spring training.

Atlanta reassigned Gamel to minor-league camp Friday.

Gamel hit four home runs during Grapefruit League play, but the veteran outfielder went just 7-for-34 (.206 average) with a 1:12 BB:K. He was unable to win a bench role with Atlanta and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Ballesteros was informed Friday that he will be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Ballesteros impressed in his MLB debut last season, slashing .298/.394/.474 across 66 plate appearances. The 22-year-old hasn't skipped a beat this spring, going 11-for-31 (.355) with two home runs, two doubles and eight RBI. Ballesteros has the inside track to begin the season as the Cubs' DH, but with fellow catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya on the team, opportunities behind the plate will likely be limited.

Yastrzemski is dealing with pink eye but is expected to be back in the lineup in the next couple of days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Yastrzemski will be temporarily sidelined while he deals with pink eye. The issue is expected to be resolved in time for Opening Day. Yastrzemski is slated to serve on the strong side of a platoon in left field for Atlanta.

Atlanta assigned Ritchie to minor-league camp Friday.

Ritchie has made waves this spring, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 12 innings. However, he'll open the season in the minors, which was the initial expectation. If he keeps rolling at Triple-A, Ritchie could make his MLB debut sooner rather than later.

Atlanta optioned Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Dodd appeared in 28 games out of the bullpen last year for Atlanta, but he'll begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A. The 27-year-old left-hander posted a 3.00 ERA across nine innings during spring training.

Kimbel did not exercise the first opt out in his minor-league contract with the Mets as he continues to pursue a spot on the Opening Day roster, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.

New York's bullpen competition got a little bit narrower Friday with the club cutting Austin Warren, Kevin Herget and Robert Stock from big-league camp. Kimbrel has given up three runs with a 5:5 K:BB across six innings during spring training, but manager Carlos Mendoza has been impressed with the late life on Kimbrel's fastball. Bryan Hudson and Richard Lovelady are the remaining internal competition for a bullpen spot, but the Mets could bring in some outside arms as teams begin to trim the rosters for Opening Day.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Roberts will start the 2026 season at Triple-A despite having a strong camp. The right-hander posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across six innings this spring. He appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025.