MLB Player News

Crews will open the season with Double-A Harrisburg, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

The 2023 first-round pick was informed of the assignment ahead of Tuesday's showcase game pitting the Nationals' regulars against the organization's top prospects. Crews finished last season with Harrisburg but slashed only .194/.306/.264 through 20 games, so a return engagement makes sense. The 22-year-old also struggled a bit this spring, batting .156 (5-for-32) with a 4:12 BB:K, but three of his hits, including a homer he hit off Jesus Luzardo, went for extra bases. If Crews catches fire at Double-A, a promotion to Triple-A could follow in short order, and a big-league debut later in the 2024 season isn't out of the question.

Carlson has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carlson suffered the injury on an outfield collision with teammate Jordan Walker during Monday's exhibition game against the Cubs. Goold says Carlson is expected to be sidelined for weeks, rather than months. It seems likely that Lars Nootbaar (ribs) and perhaps Tommy Edman (wrist) will beat him back, which means Carlson could be set for a reserve role when he returns. Victor Scott will take Carlson's spot on the roster and will be the Opening Day center fielder.

Adames went 5-for-7 (.714) with three home runs, six RBI, six runs and a walk over his last two spring games.

Adames recorded at least one hit in all but four of the 15 games he appeared in this spring, and he capped off the exhibition season in fine fashion with a three-homer game and another multi-hit effort. Adames is locked in as Milwaukee's starting shortstop and figures to occupy a spot in the middle third of the batting order.

Rockies manager Bud Black announced Tuesday that Trejo made the Opening Day roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old was in camp as a non-roster invitee after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in January, but he'll be added back to the major-league roster ahead of Thursday's season opener in Arizona. Trejo appeared in 83 games for Colorado last season and had a .232/.288/.343 slash line.

Crawford (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth for the Cardinals in Tuesday's exhibition game versus the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Crawford missed a little time with some soreness in his hand after being hit by a pitch, but he's on track for Opening Day now after getting one final tune-up Tuesday. The veteran infielder is poised to serve as Masyn Winn's backup at shortstop in 2024.

Toglia has been informed that he has made the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Toglia beat out Sean Bouchard for the final spot in the outfield. The 25-year-old could see action in right field mostly against left-handed pitching, and he's also capable of filling in at first base on days Kris Bryant plays the outfield or is at designated hitter.

The Rockies optioned Bouchard to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bouchard entered spring training as the perceived favorite for the right field job, but he slashed just .209/.314/.349 in Cactus League play and also missed time with an oblique issue. That was enough to cost him a roster spot, at least at the start of the season. The Rockies appear poised to go with a combination of Charlie Blackmon, Jake Cave and Michael Toglia in right field.

Ortiz could see an uptick in playing time as a result of Garrett Mitchell's (hand) injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

With Mitchell on the shelf for a while with a fractured hand, Brewers manager Pat Murphy mentioned Monday that Sal Frelick could go back to being a regular outfielder for a while. That would open up more playing time at third base, where Ortiz would seem to be the most likely to benefit. Andruw Monasterio is also a candidate for more at-bats at third if Frelick shifts to the outfield.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Frelick could move back to the outfield on a full-time basis following the injury to Garrett Mitchell (hand), Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mitchell has been diagnosed with a fractured left hand and is likely to be sidelined for several weeks. The plan has been for Frelick to be used often at third base, but he could now return to his more familiar right field spot while Joey Ortiz and Andruw Monasterio get reps at the hot corner. Worth noting is Murphy intimated that this is just one of the options he's considering. Milwaukee could also give Blake Perkins more playing time in the outfield, and Joey Wiemer is a candidate to be recalled.

Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.