MLB Player News

Diaz went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI in Tuesday's exhibition matchup against Triple-A Sugar Land.

Diaz is starting to warm up just in time after struggling for much of spring training -- the 27-year-old backstop finished Grapefruit League play with a .143/.226/.214 slash line, no homers and just two extra-base hits across 11 games. Still, Diaz should offer some upside at the catcher position after batting .256 with 20 homers, 70 RBI and a .701 OPS across 143 regular-season games in 2025.

Atlanta released Nelson on Thursday.

Nelson signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in late February but won't end up sticking around in the organization once the season gets underway. The veteran left-hander will likely seek out a minor-league deal elsewhere with the hope of pitching well enough at the Triple-A level to earn another opportunity in the big leagues. Nelson made three appearances in the majors with Arizona in 2025, giving up two earned runs on one hit and four walks over two innings.

Triple-A Gwinnett placed Kerr (elbow) on its 60-day injured list March 18.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2024, Kerr appeared to be back to full strength for spring training, as he made a one-inning Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 24. He didn't pitch in any games after that, however, with Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com relaying that Kerr will require additional rehab from elbow surgery before returning to action at Gwinnett.

Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti on Tuesday lauded the work Martinez put in during the offseason to become a better hitter, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports. "He worked really hard on his left-handed swing over the course of the winter, and we saw that play dividends in spring training," Antonetti said.

Pending any additional moves the team may make to finalize its Opening Day roster, Martinez appears to have beaten out Stuart Fairchild for the final outfield spot. The switch-hitting Martinez closed the spring slashing .356/.396/.800 with six doubles, one triple, four home runs, six RBI, three steals and 10 runs scored over 18 contests. Along with his ability to hit from both sides of the plate, Martinez brings defensive versatility and could play second base if needed. "He could be a really valuable member of our team and help us find ways to win games," Antonetti added.

The Dodgers signed Cousins (elbow) to a one-year contract and placed him on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Cousins is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined until after the All-Star break. He should eventually get transferred to the 60-day IL but could contribute in the Dodgers bullpen in the second half. The 31-year-old posted a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB over 38 innings with the Yankees in 2024.

Fairchild is expected to open the regular season at Triple-A Columbus, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Fairchild, who was in camp as a non-roster invitee, appears to have lost out on his bid for a roster spot to Angel Martinez, who raked (1.196 OPS) this spring. The 30-year-old Fairchild has an upward mobility clause in his contract; if another team wants to add him to their 26-man or 40-man roster, the Guardians would have to decide whether they would match the proposition for part ways. Fairchild can play all three outfield spots and could be of value to another club.

The Rays placed Lux on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder impingement.

Lux had been slated to open the season as the Rays' primary second baseman, but he'll get a late start after coming down with a shoulder issue. Ben Williamson and/or Richie Palacios could get reps at the keystone while Lux is shelved.

The Rays placed Walls on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right oblique strain.

Walls is slated to miss at least the first couple weeks of the season due to an oblique strain that first popped up in late February. Carson Williams will handle shortstop for the Rays while Walls is out and could keep the job if he gets off to a hot start.

Williamson will start the fifth game of the regular season, March 31, against Pittsburgh, Rich Rovito of MLB.com reports.

Williamson was planned to be part of a three-pitcher grouping that would occupy the fourth and fifth rotation spots, but that plan changed. The Reds need to adjust to being without Nick Lodolo (blister), who will open the regular season on in the injured list. That paves the way for Williamson, Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder to each have their own spot in the rotation to begin the season.

Lowder is scheduled to start the Reds' third game of the season Sunday versus the Red Sox in Cincinnati, Rich Rovito of MLB.com reports.

The Reds adjusted their rotation plans with Nick Lodolo (finger) opening the season on the injured list. Lodolo had been scheduled to pitch Saturday, but he will be replaced by Brady Singer, while Lowder moves up a day to pitch in Singer's spot. Lowder made his final start of the spring Tuesday, tossing 50 pitches over three innings in an exhibition against Milwaukee.