MLB Player News

Pereira was scratched from Monday's Cactus League lineup versus the Athletics due to illness, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Derek Hill subbed in for Pereira in right field for the White Sox. Pereira should be healthy for Opening Day, and he is projected to begin the season as a reserve outfielder for Chicago.

The Athletics announced Monday that Ginn will be part of the team's bullpen to begin the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Ginn has made 22 of his 31 career appearances with the Athletics as a starter and was given the chance to compete for a rotation spot in spring training, but he'll ultimately have to settle for a spot in the bullpen after yielding a 10.60 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB over 15 innings during the Cactus League. With Jack Perkins beginning the season at Triple-A Las Vegas and Ginn and Luis Medina slated to operate as multi-inning options out of the bullpen, the Athletics will head into Opening Day with Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Jacob Lopez, Luis Morales and Aaron Civale as their five-man rotation.

The Athletics optioned Perkins to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Perkins came to camp in the mix for a spot either in the rotation or bullpen, but he didn't win either after allowing four runs with a 7:7 K:BB over nine Cactus League frames. The 26-year-old remains one of the club's more talented arms and should play a role with the big club in 2026. Perkins will likely open the season in the Sacramento rotation.

The Nationals optioned Ribalta to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Ribalta was one of the Nationals' better relievers in spring training, striking out six over 7.1 innings across seven Grapefruit League appearances while permitting one earned run on five hits and two walks. However, the 28-year-old righty has fared far worse in parts of two seasons in the big leagues (7.81 ERA, 2.06 WHIP in 27.2 innings), and that poor track record was likely a factor in him failing to make the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.

The Nationals optioned Franklin to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Franklin has yet to make his MLB debut, but he appeared to have a decent shot at being included on the Nationals' Opening Day roster after Washington had optioned fellow outfielders Robert Hassell and Dylan Crews to the minors in recent days. Ultimately, Franklin will wind up joining Hassell and Crews in Rochester, where all three should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis. Franklin spent the entire 2025 season at the Triple-A level, slashing .272/.390/.427 with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 117 games between the Cubs' and Nationals' top affiliates.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Suzuki (knee) will begin the season on the injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Counsell had previously ruled Suzuki out for Opening Day and has now confirmed that the outfielder will require an IL stint as he recuperates from a strained PCL in his right knee. It is not expected to be a long-term absence, but Michael Conforto should start in right field versus right-handed pitching while Suzuki is shelved.

Henry has posted a 3.86 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over 4.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 26-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut in 2025, producing a 4.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 52:32 K:BB over 52.2 innings. Despite those pedestrian numbers, Henry is expected to fill a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen to begin the 2026 campaign, although he appears to be behind Clayton Beeter in the pecking order for save chances.

Abrams went 1-for-4 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The 25-year-old shortstop is batting a tepid .244 (10-for-41) this spring with zero homers and just one steal in two attempts, but Abrams appears to be finding a groove as the Grapefruit League schedule wraps up. He's hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-15 (.400) with a double, a triple and a 1:2 BB:K during that stretch. This could be a critical campaign for Abrams, who has yet to fully capitalize on his athletic tools despite averaging 19 homers and 36.3 steals over the last three seasons.

Garcia went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Getting the start at first base and batting third, Garcia continued to flail away at the plate. The 25-year-old homered in his spring debut Feb. 27 after missing the early part of the Grapefruit League schedule due to a hamstring strain, but through 12 games in March he's gone just 3-for-34 (.088) with zero extra-base hits and a 1:8 BB:K. Garcia is set to be an everyday player for the Nationals to begin the season, splitting time between second base and first base, but if his struggles carry over into the regular season, it could open the door for Nasim Nunez to cut into his playing time at the keystone. Over the last two seasons, Garcia has slashed .267/.304/.428 with 34 homers and 36 steals in 279 games.