MLB Player News

The Brewers acquired Woodford from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for K.C. Hunt and selected Woodford's contract from Triple-A Nashville.

Woodford wasn't going to make the Rays' Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee, but he'll now open the year in the Brewers' bullpen. The right-hander holds a career 5.10 ERA over 111 appearances (25 starts) at the big-league level. Woodford will fill a long-relief role in Milwaukee.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Tuesday that Gil will be optioned to the minor leagues to start the regular season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

New York is beginning the season with a four-man rotation since a fifth starter isn't needed until April 11 in Tampa Bay, and Gil will stay stretched out in the minors rather than sticking in the majors as a bullpen piece. The right-hander missed the first four months of 2025 due to a lat strain but returned for 11 regular-season starts down the stretch, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:33 K:BB across 57 innings. Gil surrendered 10 earned runs (including six homers) with a 24:5 K:BB over 19.1 innings during spring training, so he'll begin the minor-league season with decent momentum despite the incoming demotion.

Gage picked up a hold in Monday's 10-2 exhibition victory over Sultanes de Monterrey, throwing one scoreless inning.

Gage forced two groundouts and a flyout in San Francisco's penultimate spring game, throwing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. The left-hander is in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster ahead of Wednesday's game against the Yankees. Over seven Cactus League outings, he allowed two earned runs on three hits, including one home run, while striking out nine in 6.1 innings.

Beck picked up the win in Monday's 10-2 exhibition victory over Sultanes de Monterrey, striking out two across one scoreless inning.

Beck entered in the third inning and threw nine of his 13 pitches for strikes in San Francisco's penultimate spring game. The right-hander is a candidate to begin the season in the bullpen, and the Giants have one more exhibition game against the Sultanes before Wednesday's Opening Day matchup against the Yankees. Beck appeared in 31 outings (one start) last season, recording a 4.61 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB while allowing seven long balls across 56.2 innings.

The Tigers optioned Jung to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jung never seemed overly likely to make Detroit's Opening Day roster, but he stuck around for the entirety of spring training while posting a .286/.405/.371 slash line in 20 games. The 25-year-old had a .342 OPS in 55 plate appearances for the Tigers last year and isn't likely to see significant playing time in the majors this year unless the club dealing with some significant infield injuries.

The Tigers optioned Perez to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 26-year-old was the early favorite to begin the season as Detroit's primary right fielder, but he'll instead open the campaign in the minors after batting .158 (6-for-38) with no extra-base hits across 16 spring training games. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle is essentially the roster replacement for Perez, but it'll likely be Matt Vierling that benefits the most from the demotion. Perez had a .738 OPS in 383 plate appearances during the regular season last year and should still get a look with the Tigers at some point in 2026.

Johnston made the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Johnston was claimed off waivers by the Rockies in November, and he earned a place on the Opening Day roster with a .973 OPS across 22 spring training games. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season in a reserve role, but he could get an opportunity for regular playing time at some point given Colorado's lack of established pieces.

The Rockies optioned Halvorsen to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Halvorsen entered spring training as a candidate for high-leverage work but pitched his way into a stint in the minors by yielding 12 runs with an ugly 4:12 K:BB over five innings of work. The hard thrower will try to get back on track at Albuquerque and could still have an important role in the Colorado bullpen down the line.

The Rockies are expected to place Freeman on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to lower-back inflammation, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Freeman didn't make his Cactus League debut until March 5 due to back problems and he encountered a setback last week. While he does not appear to have any structural damage in his back, the fact that the injury has lingered for so long could point to longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Once healthy, Freeman projects for a super-utility role in Colorado.

Hedges is considered day-to-day after an X-ray on his right hand came back negative, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Hedges had to leave Monday's exhibition against the Diamondbacks after being hit by a pitch. He has a bone bruise but managed to avoid any fractures. Hedges should be healthy enough to open the season as the Guardians' No. 2 catcher behind starter Bo Naylor.