MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Sabol to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Sabol's chances at making the Opening Day roster as a third catcher were already low, and he'll officially head back to the minors to begin 2024 after slashing .211/.333/.263 across 24 plate appearances during spring training. The 26-year-old backstop posted a .969 OPS during his last Triple-A stint in 2022, and he may be able to hit his way back into San Francisco if he performs at that level in 2024.

Stephens cleared waivers Tuesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Stephens will lose his spot on the 40-man roster, which will likely be given to the newly-signed Jesse Chavez. Stephens gave up three runs in 7.1 innings during spring training and turned in a 3.00 ERA in 12 big-league innings last season, so he could still be in consideration for a promotion should Atlanta run into depth problems in its bullpen.

Garcia is likely to begin the season as Washington's primary second baseman after Trey Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Garcia entered camp as the presumed starter at the keystone, but he struggled in Grapefruit League play with four errors and a .245 average. Lipscomb, meanwhile, came out of nowhere and made a strong push for a roster spot with a .995 OPS during spring training. Garcia will likely need to improve upon his .266/.304/.385 slash line from last season in order to retain the starting job throughout 2024.

The Nationals placed Cavalli (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Derek Law. Cavalli hopes to return in June from Tommy John surgery.

The Nationals reassigned Lipscomb to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 23-year-old made a strong push for a roster spot during spring training with a .995 OPS in 55 plate appearances, but he'll still end up beginning the campaign in the minors. Luis Garcia retains a tenuous grip on the starting job at second base, but Lipscomb's strong spring puts him in prime position for an early-season promotion should Garcia have a poor start to the campaign.

The Nationals selected Law's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Law made the team as a non-roster invitee after tossing 9.1 scoreless innings this spring. The 33-year-old reliever should operate in a middle-relief role for the Nats.

The Padres optioned Estrada to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Cubs in November and didn't allow an earned run in one frame against the Dodgers during the Korea Series last week, though he did give up a hit and two walks. Estrada spent much of last season at the Triple-A level and had a 5.97 ERA and 42:26 K:BB over 28.2 innings, and he'll likely need to improve upon those numbers to receive another look with the Padres.

The Padres optioned Vasquez to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Vasquez was in the mix this spring for the final spot in the Padres' rotation, but he struggled in Cactus League action with a 6.23 ERA and 9:5 K:BB over 8.2 frames. He still seems like a good bet to make a good number of starts for San Diego this season, but for now, he'll join El Paso's rotation.

Haase went 15-for-38 (.395) with five home runs, three doubles, 14 RBI, 11 runs and a 5:6 BB:K over 18 games this spring.

Haase joined the Brewers over the offseason after splitting the 2023 campaign with the Tigers and Guardians, and he made just about as good of an impression as he could during the exhibition season. Fellow backstops William Contreras and Gary Sanchez are locked in, the Brewers would need to open the season with three catchers to get Haase onto the 26-man roster. However, given the way he hit this spring, they may opt to do just that.

Wood will begin the season with Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

The 21-year-old opened eyes this spring by batting .364 (16-for-44) with four homers, three steals and an 11:13 BB:K, and rather than return him to Double-A Harrisburg where he ended the 2023 campaign, the Nats will keep him one step away from the majors. If the improved approach at the plate Wood displayed this spring holds up in the regular season, it may not be long before he makes his big-league debut.