MLB Player News

Vargas won the final spot in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports.

Vargas put his stamp on the job with a sharp 2.61 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings this spring in the Cactus League. Acquired from the Guardians in November, the 23-year-old right-hander could quickly work his way up the patchwork bullpen depth chart in Arizona. He might even be a sleeper for saves.

Weissert was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the Yankees on Tuesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old was one of the last cuts as he came up just shy of making the Opening Day bullpen. Weissert doesn't have anything left to prove in the minors and could be the first reliever summoned when one is needed.

Calhoun was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Yankees on Tuesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Calhoun had a strong spring and a real shot to make the Opening Day roster, but he was ultimately passed over. The former Ranger will head to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and hope an opportunity arises down the line.

Hoskins is scheduled to undergo left ACL reconstruction surgery Thursday.

The produce will be performed by Dr. Steve Singleton in Fort Worth, Texas. Hoskins blew out his left knee on a non-contact play in the field last Thursday, during one of the Phillies' final Grapefruit League games. He can be ruled out for the entire 2023 season, and he is scheduled to become a free agent in November. It's a brutal all-around turn of events for the 30-year-old first baseman and the reigning NL champions.

Williams will start the Nationals' fourth regular-season game next Monday against the Rays, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll follow Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore in the Nats' season-opening starting rotation. Williams signed a two-year, $13 million contract with Washington over the winter after posting a steady 3.21 ERA and 84:23 K:BB across 89.2 innings (nine starts, 21 relief appearances) last year for the Mets. He could carry fantasy streaming appeal in the right matchups.

Moncada's (back) status for Opening Day will be determined after he goes through a workout with the White Sox on Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Moncada exited Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to lower back stiffness. He's been steadily improving since then and the feeling is that he should be ready for Opening Day, but he'll need to pass a final test Wednesday. If Moncada isn't ready, Jake Burger and/or Hanser Alberto could get a look at third base.

Gore will start the Nationals' third game of the regular season Sunday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

It'll be Patrick Corbin on Opening Day, Josiah Gray in the second game, Gore in the third and Trevor Williams in the fourth. Gore wrapped up his spring with 3.2 scoreless innings Tuesday afternoon against the Yankees, issuing two walks but striking out four. He still carries a lot of long-term upside at age 24, but the former top prospect has some proving to do as he finally debuts in Washington.

Bae has made the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.

Bae is set for super-utility duties as a player who can back up second base, shortstop and center field. He has good speed but will need regular playing time to make it count, and that is difficult to project at the moment.

Smith-Njigba will be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.

Smith-Njigba claimed the fourth outfielder role in Pittsburgh with a .340 batting average and 1.011 OPS through 47 at-bats of Grapefruit League play. He hit a three-run homer in the Pirates' final spring game Tuesday afternoon against the Twins. There's not much overall evidence hinting at immediate fantasy upside, but he has room to grow at age 23.

Delay will open the 2023 season as the Pirates' backup catcher, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.

The 28-year-old beat out both Tyler Heineman and Kevin Plawecki for the backup gig behind starter Austin Hedges. Delay slashed just .213/.265/.271 over his first 57 major-league games last season in Pittsburgh, and his minor-league stats aren't much better.