MLB Player News

The Giants released Haase on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 33-year-old was in camp as a non-roster invitee and hit well during spring training with a .911 OPS in 18 games, but the Giants will begin the year with Daniel Susac as the backup catcher to starter Patrick Bailey. Haase spent the past two seasons in Milwaukee and posted a .229/.289/.357 slash line across 77 plate appearances during the regular season last year.

The Diamondbacks selected Loaisiga's contract from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Loaisiga had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee but secured his place in Arizona's Opening Day bullpen after posting a 9:2 K:BB while permitting four earned runs and allowing nine hits over eight innings. He'll likely begin the season in a middle-relief role for Arizona but could quickly work his way into higher-leverage spots if he performs well early on.

The Astros announced Wednesday that Pena (finger) will be part of their Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pena fractured his right ring finger in early March and was held out of game action until playing in an exhibition contest Tuesday. The 28-year-old slugged a home run in that game and appears ready to roll for Thursday's opener against the Angels. Pena is set to start at shortstop and bat leadoff for Houston this season.

The Giants placed Hentges (shoulder/knee) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The left-hander is working his way back from surgeries on his left shoulder and right knee, and he's not ready for the start of the regular season. Hentges progressed to facing live batters late in spring training, so he could be ready for a rehab assignment in the near future.

Whitlock threw a perfect inning while striking out one batter in a 9-6 loss against Minnesota on Monday.

Whitlock appeared in four games this spring for Boston, allowing zero earned runs in four innings pitched. The right-hander also made four appearances for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, allowing just one earned run in 3.1 innings. The 29-year-old posted a career-best 31 percent strikeout rate while putting up a 2.25 ERA for Boston in 2025. Whitlock will once again serve as a high-leverage arm for a Boston bullpen that still features Aroldis Chapman and Greg Weissert but a mix of unproven arms after that.

Boston placed Seigler on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to left knee patellar tendinopathy.

Acquired from the Brewers on Feb. 9, Seigler didn't end up making any appearances in spring training while recovering from a knee injury that first surfaced while he played in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason. The Red Sox haven't indicated where Seigler stands in his recovery, so the 26-year-old appears destined to miss more than the minimum 10 days. Seigler has two minor-league options remaining and could be sent out to Triple-A Worcester to play regularly once he's activated from the IL.

Freeman is expected to bat fifth against left-handed starters at the outset of the regular season, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Freeman's spot in the lineup was already slated for a change against righties, as he's been tabbed for the cleanup role against such starters after primarily hitting third in the order versus right-handers last year. Now it appears Freeman will bump down to fifth against southpaws, while catcher Will Smith is slated to bat fourth in those games. The fantasy impact on Freeman's production will probably be minimal, and there should be no shortage of opportunities for run production given Los Angeles' loaded lineup.

The Rangers designated Blanco for assignment Wednesday.

Blanco was sent to minors camp by the Rangers immediately after being claimed off waivers in early March. The speedy outfielder is now set to go through the waivers process again.

The Rangers placed Freeman (back) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Freeman will get a late start to the season after being diagnosed with a lumbar stress reaction in late February. He will be eligible for activation in early April but could be looking at an extended absence.

The Red Sox placed Sandoval (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Though Sandoval (elbow) didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances, he was able to throw a three-inning simulated game at extended spring training Monday and should be on track to begin an extended rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league season gets underway this weekend. Sandoval -- who is working his way back from June 2024 internal brace surgery -- could be ready to return from the IL around mid-to-late April, but it's unclear if he'll have a spot in the Boston rotation waiting for him once he's activated from the IL.