MLB Player News

Arizona optioned Garcia to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

With the move now official, the Diamondbacks will begin the 2026 campaign without a lefty in their bullpen. Garcia struggled to find the strike zone during his spring training appearances, as shown by seven walks in 6.1 innings. He'll need to shift his focus to pounding the zone at Triple-A if he wants to earn a place on the big-league roster.

Rogers cleared concussion protocol Monday and will be available for Opening Day, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rogers suffered a concussion at some point down the stretch of spring training, but it won't impact his availability for the start of the 2026 season. "He's already caught a couple of bullpens today and hit in the cage," said manager A.J. Hinch on Monday. "I'm going to get him a couple of at-bats tonight. Tomorrow, he'll catch part of the game." The 30-year-old is in line to open his sixth major-league season as the backup catcher behind Dillon Dingler.

Conrad (back) is expected to miss roughly the first month of the minor-league season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs selected Conrad with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, but the young outfielder didn't make his pro debut last year as he recovered from shoulder surgery he had toward the end of his collegiate career. Conrad will now wait a little longer to take the field as he deals with an unspecified lower-back issue. The 21-year-old is considered a fairly polished offensive prospect, and the team will likely be cautious to not rush him back after an extended layoff.

Osuna was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Osuna hit .313 and swiped four bags over 13 spring games, but it wasn't quite enough to earn him a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster. He got his first taste of big-league action a season ago, slashing .212/.313/.278 with two home run, 15 RBI, five stolen bases and 12 runs over 63 games, and he should be in line for more big-league opportunities at some point this year.

Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Curvelo struggled to a 5.68 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 19.0 innings a season ago in the big leagues, and he wasn't able to show enough during spring training to secure a place in the Rangers' bullpen. He fared better at Triple-A in 2025, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with a 41:19 K:BB over 40.2 frames.

Helman was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Helman flashed some promise during spring training, slashing .233/.242/.575 with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored in 14 games, but he's slated to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A following Monday's transaction. He hit .232 with five homers, 20 RBI, four stolen bases and 18 runs scored over 38 appearances a season ago for Texas, so he figures to be a candidate for a promotion later in the year.

The Cubs informed Conforto on Sunday that he would be on the team's Opening Day roster, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

This was widely expected in recent days, particularly with Seiya Suzuki battling a knee injury. With Suzuki officially headed to the injured list to begin the regular season, Conforto's roster spot became secure. The veteran outfielder has taken a bit of a step back from a contact perspective the past few years, including in 2025, when he sported just a .199 batting average and .638 OPS across 138 regular-season games for the Dodgers. Conforto still has a little pop in his bat, however, having blasted 32 home runs across the last two seasons combined. He could be a short-term fantasy option if he gets off to a good start, though Suzuki's eventual return will cut into Conforto's overall value.

The Tigers announced Monday that Seabold will be listed on the Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Seabold agreed to a split major-league contract with the Tigers earlier Monday, and it didn't take long for the club to confirm that the right-hander will start the year in the major leagues. The 30-year-old is presumably in line for low-leverage opportunities with his new squad after working to a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings during stops in Tampa Bay and Atlanta a season ago. "We're happy to add him," said manager A.J. Hinch, per Petzold. "We really like the adjustment that he made, with both his stuff and the way his pitches are interacting. As his stuff improved, he got a ton of swing-and-miss this spring."

Moran has secured a place on Boston's Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Moran fared well in limited spring action, as he tossed 2.2 scoreless frames and struck out three in three appearances. The southpaw is out of minor-league options, which may have factored into Boston's decision to name him to the Opening Day roster. Moran pitched in two games a season ago for the Red Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings of relief work.

Early has made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Early entered spring training competing with Payton Tolle and Johan Oviedo for the fifth spot in the Red Sox's rotation. Per Cotillo, the Red Sox will carry both Early and Oviedo on the 26-man roster (with Tolle starting the season with Triple-A Worcester) in an effort to provide length early in the season as both Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello continue to build up after pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Garrett Crochet will serve as Boston's Opening Day starter against Cincinnati while Sonny Gray takes the mound Saturday. With Suarez expected to pitch Monday against Houston and Bello to go Tuesday, there's a chance that Early gets his first start of the season as early as Sunday against the Reds. Early put together a strong spring training, appearing in five Grapefruit League games (four starts) and posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 17 innings.