MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Rave to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Rave got his first taste of major-league action last season and posted a .196/.283/.307 slash line with four homers, 14 RBI, 18 runs and seven stolen bases over 175 plate appearances. Kansas City revamped its outfield during the offseason, leaving Rave without a spot on the season-opening big-league roster.

Kansas City optioned Misner to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Misner was traded from the Rays to the Royals in November. The speedy outfielder stole 22 bases in 30 attempts with Tampa Bay last season but posted a poor .618 OPS and 31.8 percent strikeout rate. Misner has intriguing speed and power, but his struggles making contact could be an obstacle to him spending much time in the majors.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Black joined the Royals in a trade with San Francisco in November. He entered camp slated for a relief role and put up good numbers during Grapefruit League play, pitching eight scoreless innings with an 8:3 K:BB over six appearances. Though he'll begin the campaign in the minors, it seems likely that Black will be up with the big club at some point during the season.

The Royals optioned Bergert to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Bergert came into camp with a chance to win a spot in Kansas City's rotation, but he struggled during spring play, posting a 6.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings spanning four starts. His biggest issue was the long ball, as he allowed five homers. Bergert should get a chance to get back on the right track with Omaha and will likely be a candidate to be called up should the Royals need a rotation replacement at some point during the campaign.

The Red Sox signed Kahnle to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Boston is quite familiar with Kahnle, as he's spent about half of his 11-year career with the Yankees. The righty reliever compiled a 4.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 50:31 K:BB over 63 innings spanning 63 regular-season appearances with Detroit last year. He was frequently deployed in high-leverage situations and notched nine saves (on 14 chances) and 16 holds. While Kahnle seems set to join the Red Sox in camp as a non-roster invitee, he has a good chance of being part of the big-league bullpen.

Rodgers recently underwent right shoulder labral revision surgery, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rodgers hurt his shoulder while reaching for a ball during a spring game in late February. He got multiple opinions on the extent of the injury but ultimately needed surgery. Rodgers is expected to miss the entire season, per Peter Abraham and Tim Healey of The Boston Globe.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani will pitch in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Giants and added that the two-way star is lined up for the Freeway Series versus the Angels between March 22 and 24, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ohtani is expected to pitch 3-to-4 innings in his first start during the regular season as a pitcher. Wednesday's Cactus League game will be the first time the four-time MVP will have pitched in a spring training game since 2023 when he was with the Angels. The right-hander did not pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, but he has been participating in bullpen and live batting-practice sessions in his progression.

Burns was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Burns was informed along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Burns got his first big-league action in the second half of the 2025 season and struggled. The 2024 second overall pick started in eight of his 13 appearances and finished with a 4.57 ERA while compiling a record of 0-3. During spring training in 2026, the 23-year-old gave up four runs across 3.2 innings in one outing, but he has given up no more than one run in his other three.

Williamson was informed by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports

The Reds have given a roster spot to Williamson along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Williamson went down with a full UCL tear in his left elbow in Sept. 2024, which required Tommy John surgery. With the southpaw securing an Opening Day roster spot, he will look to take the mound for the first time in a regular season game since going under the knife.

Lowder was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lowder was informed along with fellow starters Brandon Williamson and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Lowder is coming back from a forearm injury and oblique strain that he suffered in 2025.