MLB Player News

The Pirates announced that Mlodzinski will start the team's third game of the season next Sunday against the Mets at Citi Field, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mlodzinski has emerged from spring training with a rotation spot after a wide-open competition that included Jose Urquidy, Hunter Barco and non-roster invitee Mike Clevinger. Urquidy and Clevinger could both break camp as members of the bullpen, and the Pirates could look to deploy either pitcher in tandem with Mlodzinski, who built up to five innings and 64 pitches in his most recent Grapefruit League outing March 14. Mlodzinski made 12 starts in 34 appearances for Pittsburgh in 2025 but never reached six innings in any of those outings, finishing with a 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 89:27 K:BB across 99 frames.

The Nationals acquired Vivas from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Sean Paul Linan.

Vivas is out of minor-league options, so the Yankees found a trade partner instead of losing him through the waiver process. The 25-year-old played in 29 games in his first taste of the majors in 2025, recording a .516 OPS over 64 plate appearances.

The Yankees acquired Linan from the Nationals on Sunday in exchange for infielder Jorbit Vivas.

Vivas wasn't in line to make the Opening Day roster and was out of minor-league options, so the Yankees opted to cash him in for an intriguing young arm in Linan. The 21-year-old right-hander spent time at three levels between the Dodgers and Nationals organizations in 2025, logging a 3.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 106:33 K:BB in 77.1 innings. With his new organization, Linan is likely to open the 2026 campaign at either Double-A Somerset or High-A Hudson Valley.

Vesia has allowed one earned run on three hits while posting a 7:1 K:BB over 5.2 innings through seven appearances in Cactus League action.

A personal matter resulted in Vesia not being part of Los Angeles' World Series roster last season, but the lefty reliever has been back with the team for camp. He's slated to be part of the setup crew ahead of new closer Edwin Diaz after posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 80:22 K:BB across 59.2 frames last year, notching five saves and a team-high 26 holds.

Escarra is expected to serve as New York's backup catcher behind Austin Wells this season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Escarra got his first taste of big-league action last season and posted a .202/.296/.33 slash line with two homers, 11 RBI, one stolen base and an 11:14 BB:K over 98 plate appearances. Both he and Wells bat left-handed, so Escarra's opportunities to play will likely come exclusively when Wells needs a rest day. Ben Rice, who's slated to be the team's primary first baseman, also has experience behind the plate and saw action at that position in 36 contests last year, though it's unclear how often (if at all) the Yankees will use him as a catcher this year.

Freeland was informed Sunday that he made the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeland struggled to a .116/.286/.233 slash line in 18 spring games, but an 11:11 BB:K showcased his patience at the plate. He should operate as a utility infielder to begin the season.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Sunday that Beavers is progressing in his recovery from a sore right knee, Andrew Golden of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The outfielder remains out of the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, however. The Orioles didn't consider Beavers' injury significant enough to require an MRI, but he's still being viewed as day-to-day as Opening Day approaches. Beavers would alleviate some of the concern about his status by returning to action for Monday's exhibition against Washington.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Sunday that Akin (adductor) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The MRI should provide more information on the extent of the adductor injury that Akin suffered while warming up in the bullpen Saturday and will help the Orioles determine whether or not the lefty requires a stint on the injured list to begin the season. If Akin ends up being shelved, it could open the door for Grant Wolfram to make the Opening Day roster as another southpaw option out of the bullpen.

The Marlins reassigned Zuber to minor-league camp Sunday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Zuber attended camp as a non-roster invitee but had drawn some early buzz after striking out three of the four batters he faced in his first Grapefruit League appearance. However, the right-hander went on to give up at least one run in three of his final four spring outings to take himself out of the running for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Zuber previously made 10 big-league appearances with the Mets and Marlins in 2025, pitching to an 11.25 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 12 innings.

Pauley (forearm) will start at third base and bat sixth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

After experiencing tightness in his right forearm early in camp, Pauley had been limited to designated hitter through his first nine spring games, but he's finally been given the green light to debut in the field. The 25-year-old will be part of the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but it's unclear if he'll be deployed as the primary third baseman to begin the season. Connor Norby has outproduced Pauley this spring, but he may be needed in left field to cover for Kyle Stowers (hamstring).