MLB Player News

The Cardinals reassigned Scott to minor-league camp Saturday.

Scott entered camp with a very low chance of making the Opening Day roster after finishing last season in Double-A. However, he showed plenty of promise with a .316 batting average and four stolen bases over 10 games this spring. The speedy 23-year-old will likely open the season in Triple-A Memphis.

Nelson allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out nine over five innings in Friday's spring start against the Mariners.

Nelson put the finishing touches on a promising spring. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 2.66 ERA, 26 strikeouts and seven walks over 20.1 innings (six starts). He led the competition for the final rotation spot and seems assured of one given the news that Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) will open the season on the injured list.

The Cardinals optioned Young to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Young has slashed .210/.290/.435 across 69 plate appearances in his MLB career, but a .353 OPS during spring training will send him back to the minors for the start of the season. Young found plenty of success with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate last season, and a return to form at the plate could help him reach the majors again during his first season with the Cardinals.

The Cardinals optioned Rivas to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Rivas only managed seven hits in 36 at-bats during his first spring with the Cards while driving in three RBI and scoring six runs. The 27-year-old also only carried a .229 batting average across 48 major-league games last season, but his average jumped up to .332 over 58 games in Triple-A.

The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Baker was never able to get his bat going this spring, tallying nine hits in 44 at-bats while striking out 13 times. Baker slashed .334/.439/.720 with 33 homers and 98 RBI in Triple-A last season, and if he's able to find his swing again in the minors, he may return to the Cardinals' bench at some point this summer.

The Cardinals optioned Robertson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Robertson has posted a 4.50 ERA across eight innings this spring, but the Cardinals will need to see a larger sample from him before adding him to their bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander logged a 6.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 22.1 frames last season between the Red Sox and Dodgers.

Antone has claimed one of the final spots in the Reds' Opening Day bullpen, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After spending more than two full seasons on the injured list, Antone questioned whether he would ever pitch in a big-league game again. His return from a second Tommy John surgery last year was cut short due to renewed elbow discomfort, but he has earned a roster spot this spring and will be on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 2021. Antone said that he has stopped chasing velocity and embraced a new sinker in light of his injuries. Expect the right-hander to pitch mostly in the middle innings to begin the 2024 campaign.

Triolo is expected to be Pittsburgh's regular second baseman after Liover Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Triolo was initially projected for a utility role this season, but he's maintained a .436 wOBA across 39 plate appearances this spring. His underlying 30.8 percent strikeout rate and .500 BABIP make it clear that Triolo won't enjoy the same success over a larger sample, but he did enough to beat out Peguero for the second base job to begin the regular season.

Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster after Liover Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ji Hwan Bae (hip) is also sidelined and could be headed for an injured list stint to begin the regular season. That leaves Williams as Pittsburgh's projected primary backup in the middle infield. His primary asset is his glove, so even on days when Williams is in the lineup, he doesn't project to have much fantasy appeal.

The Cubs informed Cooper on Friday that he made the team's Opening Day roster, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper was brought into the Cubs' camp as a non-roster invitee, and he will claim a spot on the roster after going 6-for-26 with two home runs and five RBI across 10 games. He'll likely serve as the primary backup to Michael Busch at first base but could find himself in the lineup regularly against left-handed starters.