MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Vientos to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos looked as though he might begin the season as the Mets' top designated hitter in the short term while the newly signed J.D. Martinez completed his ramp-up program, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza may prefer to take a committee approach to the DH spot until Martinez is ready to go. As a result, Vientos won't join the Mets for Opening Day, while the team instead reserves its final backup spot for infielder Zack Short, who offers more defensive versatility than Vientos. The 24-year-old Vientos should still be at the top of the list for a call-up if the Mets lose starting corner infielders Pete Alonso or Brett Baty or Martinez to an injury at any point in 2024.

The Nationals selected Rosario to the major-league roster Sunday.

The 32-year-old was deemed the favorite to start in left field shortly after signing a split contract with Washington in early March, so it's not a major surprise he's made the Opening Day roster. Rosario went just 3-for-18 in seven spring games but was reasonably productive in Atlanta last season with 21 homers and a .755 OPS in 516 plate appearances.

The Nationals selected Winker to the major-league roster Sunday.

The 30-year-old joined the Nationals as a non-roster invitee in February and earned a place on the Opening Day roster with a .932 OPS in 15 Grapefruit League games. Winker posted a .567 OPS with Milwaukee last season but was limited to 61 games while returning from neck and knee surgeries, and he'll likely need to be more productive in 2024 in order to stick around in Washington.

Taijuan Walker's shoulder injury could push Turnbull into the Phillies' rotation to begin the season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.comreports.

Turnbull joined Philadelphia on a one-year, $2 million contract in February and was set to begin the season as a long reliever or at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but Walker experienced shoulder discomfort Saturday and may be headed to the injured list. Turnbull returned from Tommy John surgery last season and struggled to a 7.26 ERA in seven starts for Detroit, but he pitched well in 2021 prior to the elbow injury with a 2.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 50 innings.

Candelario started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Candelario, who launched his first spring home run, took awhile to get the bat going, but he now appears locked in. After going 2-for-25 (.080) over his first 10 Cactus League games, Candelario is 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits in his last four appearances. At the time he signed as a free agent, the 30-year-old corner infielder was expected to bounce between first and third base (with occasional starts at DH), but the 80-game suspension handed out to Noelvi Marte means Candelario will primarily handle the hot corner for the first three months of the season.

Montas allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

Montas appeared to have righted himself the last two times out following a couple of shaky outings, finishing the Cactus League on a high note. He next prepares for Thursday's Opening Day start at home against Washington. He talked to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer about getting his repertoire in shape. "Being able to use my four-seam and two seam, not just being able to use it but also getting good results," the right-hander said. "My slider is there. My cutter is there. I threw some really good splitters today." Montas finished the spring with a 5.94 ERA, 16 strikeouts, five walks and five home runs allowed over five starts.

Benson started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's spring game against Colorado.

Benson's served as the starting center fielder in four of his last six Cactus League outings. The lefty swinger and right-handed batting Stuart Fairchild have rotated there since TJ Friedl sustained a broken wrist. Those two are expected to share center field while Friedl recovers, but it's uncertain if it will be a strict platoon.

Espinal started at second base and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Espinal made his first appearance since Cincinnati acquired him from Toronto last Wednesday. The infielder provides insurance in an infield that will be missing two projected starters at second and third base when the regular season begins.

Sewald threw a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

It wasn't a save situation, but manager Torey Lovullo gave Sewald a taste of the closer's role by having him enter the ninth inning. He has not allowed a run in six spring outings and appears ready for the regular season. The Diamondbacks have one more Cactus League game Sunday followed by a pair of exhibition matchups Monday and Tuesday, so Sewald could get one more outing before Thursday's Opening Day against Colorado.

Gallen allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Guardians.

Gallen finished off spring training with Saturday's start and is ready to take the ball Opening Day, Thursday, at home against the Rockies. The right-hander posted a 5.54 ERA with nine strikeouts and seven walks over four Cactus League starts. Gallen is coming off a career-high 243.2 innings (including postseason) in 2023, and the Diamondbacks made sure to manage his spring workload. In addition to the increase in innings last season, Gallen experienced jumps in average exit velocity (91.5 mph, third percentile) and hard-hit percentage (46.2, fifth).