• Hits IL with calf strain
    The Twins placed Staumont on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left calf strain.

    Advice: Staumont was on track to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but his bid was derailed when he slipped in the bullpen earlier this week and apparently suffered the calf strain in the process. The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Staumont will be eligible to return from the IL as soon as April 9. Rotowire.com 1 minute ago
     
  • Batting second on Opening Day
    Benson is starting in center field and batting second for the Reds in Thursday's opener against the Nationals.

    Advice: Manager David Bell had indicated previously that Elly De La Cruz could be in the two hole at the beginning of the season, but it will be Benson there while De La Cruz is down in the six spot. Bell's lineups could be fluid, but if Benson sticks in the second spot against righties it would be a nice boost to his fantasy outlook. Rotowire.com 2 minutes ago
     
  • Starting in season opener
    Martini will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 8 batter in Thursday's season opener versus the Nationals.

    Advice: At least against right-handed pitching, Martini looks like he'll get the first opportunity to fill the lineup spot that was opened up by Tj Friedl (wrist) and Matt McLain (shoulder) beginning the season the injured list and by Noelvi Martin serving an 80-game suspension to begin the season. Though the Reds' logjam in the infield and outfield is alleviated to some degree by those absent players, the lefty-hitting Martini will still likely need to find some early success against right-handed pitching to ensure he sticks in a strong-side platoon role. Over 361 career plate appearances versus righties, Martini has slashed .288/.380/.449 with eight home runs. Rotowire.com 5 minutes ago
     
  • Placed on administrative leave
    Franco was placed on administrative leave Thursday by Major League Baseball under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: The placement removes him from the Rays' 40-man roster and is effective through June 1. The stay could end sooner than that if there are any developments in Franco's investigation or could be extended if there are none. Because he is on administrative leave and not the restricted list, Franco will be paid his $2 million salary. Rotowire.com 7 minutes ago
     
  • Placed on 60-day IL
    DeSclafani (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list.

    Advice: DeSclafani entered spring training as a front-runner for a back-end spot in the Minnesota rotation, but he didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances while the Twins eased him back after his 2023 campaign was cut short by a right elbow flexor strain. He then had a setback and is expected to miss much if not the entire 2024 season. However, there's been no official word on his injury after a visit with a specialist. Louie Varland is set to begin the season as the No. 5 starter as a result. Rotowire.com 20 minutes ago
  • IL move official
    The Twins placed Duran (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

    Advice: Duran suffered a moderate right oblique strain nearly two weeks ago and is likely to miss most, if not all, of April with the injury. Manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't committed to a closer while Duran is out, but Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart are the top candidates. Rotowire.com 25 minutes ago
     
  • Added to roster
    The Twins selected Duarte's contract from Triple-A St. Paul.

    Advice: Duarte netted a spot in Minnesota's bullpen after collecting a 2.92 ERA and a 12:0 K:BB ratio in 12.1 innings during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old figures to be utilized in a middle relief role. Rotowire.com 27 minutes ago
  • Placed on restricted list
    The Astros placed Abreu on the restricted list Thursday.

    Advice: Abreu has to serve a two-game suspension to begin the season after MLB ruled that he intentionally threw at the Rangers' Adolis Garcia in Game 5 of the ALCS. The setup man will be activated ahead of the third game of the four-game set versus the Yankees. Rotowire.com 58 minutes ago
    Bryan AbreuHOU - RP
    1:10 pm vs NYY
     
  • Dispatched to Triple-A
    The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

    Advice: After posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB in 46 innings at Jacksonville in 2023, Maldonado was shielded from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter and added to the Marlins' 40-man roster. He appeared to enter spring training with a legitimate chance at winning a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but despite limiting batters to a .158 average and permitting just one run while striking out eight over six innings in the Grapefruit League, Maldonado wasn't able to break camp with the club. The right-hander will likely begin the season as Jacksonville's closer and might not have to wait long before he gets his first call to the big leagues. Rotowire.com Today, 6:29 am