MLB Player News

Englert forged a 5.40 ERA over 21 2/3 innings in the Motor City in 2024. He’ll now hit the waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed or untraded he’ll likely open the year in Triple-A Toledo.

You don’t typically see Rule 5 picks open the year in a rotation. You don’t typically see teams as bad as the White Sox. Smith impressed in spring training and deserves credit, but not enough credit to suggest he should be on a fantasy roster.

It’s yet another lost starter for the Mets, who are also going to be without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas due to their injuries to open 2025. There’s no timetable yet for when Blackburn will be ready to return.

Baty earned the job with a strong showing in the Grapefruit League; one that reminded that he’s not long removed from being one of the top prospects in the sport. Hayden Senger, Max Kranick and Huascar Brázoban have also been informed they’ll make the team, with those roster moves becoming official Thursday. Baty is worth keeping an eye on in redraft leagues.

Devers likely won’t be happy with the decision, but it makes sense. “We’re in the winning business,” Cora said. Devers will have of course have eligibility at third base this year, but if he doesn’t get enough games at the hot corner — or potentially third base — he’ll likely carry the dreaded UTIL designation for 2026. He’s one of the few hitters who is good enough to be drafted highly regardless of designation, but having hot-corner eligibility would be awfully nice.

Wynns will be the backup catcher to Luis Trevino while Tyler Stephenson (oblique) opens the season on the injured list.

Williamson is now off the 40-man roster. The left-hander will likely miss all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in September.

Abbott has looked good in his last few spring training outings, but the Reds want to make sure the 25-year-old is fully stretched out before he joins the rotation. Assuming no setbacks, the southpaw should be back by the end of April.

Lowder has been limited all camp with elbow soreness, and the 23-year-old will need build back up before he can be a part of the Cincinnati rotation. He was excellent for the Reds at the end of 2024, so he’s a name to keep an eye on during his rehab.

Diaz will begin the season on the shelf, as expected. The 28-year-old has a chance to return near the end of April, and should regain his closer’s job once he’s back.

Stephenson has no timetable for a return, but it’s been known since the middle of March he would open the season on the IL. The Reds also placed Alexis Diaz (hamstring) and Andrew Abbott (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list along with Austin Hays (calf), so they’ll be shorthanded to open the 2025 campaign.