Front Office Subscriber Chat With Anthony Franco: TODAY At 2:00pm Central
MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be holding a live chat today at 2:00 pm Central, exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers!
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
Cubs To Activate Seiya Suzuki, Designate Dylan Carlson For Assignment
Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is back from the injured list after missing the first two weeks of the season with a knee sprain, according to multiple reports. Dylan Carlson was designated for assignment to clear space for Suzuki’s return. Chicago is also placing Phil Maton on the IL with a knee injury. Ethan Roberts is expected to be recalled to take his spot.
Suzuki banged up his knee while playing with Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He opened the regular season on the IL, but it wasn’t expected to be an extended absence. Suzuki ultimately needed just five rehab games at Double-A to get up to speed. He hit .429 with a pair of doubles with Knoxville.
Manager Craig Counsell told reporters, including Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, that Suzuki will not play every day once he rejoins the team. The veteran figures to be a fixture in the lineup once he’s reacclimated to the big-league schedule.
Matt Shaw has handled the majority of right field reps in Suzuki’s stead. It’s his first time playing the outfield as a professional. Shaw has held his own with the glove so far, recording 1 Defensive Run Saved over 81 innings. He’s posted a 108 wRC+ with two home runs in 39 plate appearances. Shaw will likely shift to more of a utility role with Suzuki back.
The Cubs added Carlson on a minor league deal in late January. He slashed .298/.421/.404 in 20 MLB Spring Training games to land a big-league roster spot. The former Cardinal appeared in just three games with Chicago. He went hitless in four at-bats.
Carlson has bounced around since his time in St. Louis came to an end. The Cardinals sent him to the Rays at the 2024 trade deadline for right-hander Shawn Armstrong. He landed with the Orioles last season, earning part-time work. Carlson struggled to a 74 wRC+ with Baltimore. The former top prospect has a .683 OPS in his MLB career.
Maton was the top acquisition in a bullpen overhaul that also included the additions of Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb. He signed a two-year, $14.5MM deal with the club. Maton opened his Chicago tenure with two scoreless outings, but struggled in recent appearances. The right-hander gave up two earned runs in each of his last three games.
Maton’s final outing before hitting the IL was a low-leverage spot against the Rays. He entered in the eighth inning of a game the Cubs were leading 7-0. Three hits and an HBP plated a pair of runs, requiring Counsell to go to Thielbar to secure the final out of the frame.
Roberts came up over the weekend as the 27th man for the doubleheader against the Guardians. He appeared in the second game, allowing an inherited runner to score before recording the last two outs of the eighth inning. The righty has now pitched in parts of four seasons with Chicago. Roberts has a 4.91 ERA across 44 innings as a big leaguer.
Patrick Mooney of The Athletic was first to report Suzuki’s activation and Carlson’s designation. Levine was first on Maton’s IL placement. Jesse Rogers of ESPN first reported Roberts’ recall.
Photo courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images
Mets Notes: Polanco, Peterson, Minter
Mets infielder Jorge Polanco was not in the lineup on Thursday as he continues to deal with an Achilles injury. New York has not ruled out an IL stint for the veteran, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters, including Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Polanco was brought in to be the club’s primary first baseman after Pete Alonso signed with the Orioles. He started the first two games of the season at the position, but has been limited to DH since then. Polanco said the pain in his Achilles “comes and goes,” relayed by Chelsea Janes of SNY. His absence on Thursday ended a streak of four straight starts.
Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Jared Young have all spent time at first base this season. The Juan Soto injury opened up right field reps for Baty, so Vientos has taken over regular work at the cold corner recently. The former prospect has made the most of the increased playing time, slashing .323/.353/.484 across 34 plate appearances. Baty hasn’t done a ton with his chances, but the injuries have allowed the Mets to get a longer look at both players.
While the defensive lineup has shifted around plenty, Mendoza does not plan to adjust the pitching rotation, at least not yet. The skipper was asked specifically about David Peterson after the lefty allowed five earned runs for the second straight start. “As I’m sitting here right now, no,” Mendoza said regarding a pitching staff change, relayed by Janes.
The Diamondbacks jumped all over Peterson on Wednesday, scoring once in the first inning and four more times in the second inning. Peterson settled in over his final three frames, but the Mets’ offense managed just two runs against Ryne Nelson and company. The southpaw’s ERA sits over 6.00 through 14 2/3 innings. It’s a continuation of Peterson’s second-half swoon in 2025. After earning an All-Star selection, Peterson stumbled to a 7.74 ERA over 10 starts from August on.
The Mets don’t have an obvious replacement lined up to take over Peterson’s spot. Sean Manaea opened the year in the bullpen after working primarily as a starter the past two years. His fastball remains under 90 mph, continuing a concerning trend from the spring. Mendoza said the club does not plan to add Manaea back to the rotation right now.
As Janes pointed out, pitching prospects Christian Scott and Jonah Tong have struggled to begin the minor league season. Scott’s been tagged for six earned runs over 8 1/3 innings through two Triple-A starts. The strikeouts have been there for Tong, but he has an ERA over 5.00 across three outings with Syracuse.
On the positive side, left-hander A.J. Minter tossed a scoreless frame at Single-A on Thursday. The reliever is working his way back from a lat injury. He underwent surgery in May and began the 2026 campaign on the injured list. The outing with St. Lucie was his first game action in nearly a year.
Early estimates had Minter returning in May, but he could be back with the Mets before the end of the month. “We started the clock, the rehab process now,” Mendoza told reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “It’ll be one of those where if we have to use every single day, we will. But the fact that he’s in real competition is a good sign.”
Minter is in the final season of a two-year, $22MM deal. He was off to a tremendous start in 2025 before the injury. The lefty gave up a pair of runs against the Marlins in his second appearance, then ripped off 11 straight scoreless outings. Minter pushed his strikeout rate to 31.8%, his best mark since 2022.
The Mets have relied on Brooks Raley and Richard Lovelady as their left-handed bullpen options with Minter out. Raley is tied for the club lead with two holds. He’s punched out seven hitters in five appearances. Lovelady has been scored upon in three of his five games.
Photo courtesy of D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images
Mike Ford Joins Rays Front Office
The Rays have hired former big-league first baseman Mike Ford to a front office role. The 33-year-old spent parts of six MLB seasons with a half dozen teams. Ford’s specific position is unclear, but Kristie Ackert of the Associated Press reports that the veteran will be working with minor leaguers as part of the gig. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported in February that Ford would be joining the Rays in a player development role.
Ford was in camp with the Twins last season. After falling short of a roster spot, he landed in NPB for 25 games with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The front office job would suggest Ford is hanging up his spikes. If so, he’ll finish his MLB career with 37 home runs in 252 games.
Ford became a cult hero in New York for his tremendous finish to the 2019 season. The first baseman briefly debuted in April that year, but failed to stick on the roster after hitting .167 in limited opportunities. Ford was recalled in early August after Edwin Encarnacion broke his wrist. He put together a torrid two-month stretch to close the campaign, posting a .953 OPS with 11 home runs over 39 games. The Yankees won 103 games and captured the AL East title for the first time since 2012. With Encarnacion healthy, Ford was left off the playoff roster.
The shortened 2020 season was unkind to Ford, as he slashed .135/.226/.270 across 84 plate appearances. He did make his postseason debut that year, going hitless in two at-bats. Ford was dealt to the Rays for cash in 2021. He wouldn’t stick with any organization for too long following his time in New York. Ford appeared in big-league games with four different teams in 2022. The first baseman hit a career-high 16 home runs with the Mariners in 2023, though it came with a 32.3% strikeout rate. Ford last appeared in the majors with the Reds in 2024.
Photo courtesy of Albert Cesare, Imagn Images
Fantasy Baseball Subscriber Chat With Nicklaus Gaut
Nicklaus Gaut will be talking fantasy baseball with Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers today at 1 pm Central time. Get your question in early or participate in the live event at the link below!
Nicklaus Gaut will be talking fantasy baseball with Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers today at 1 pm Central time. Get your question in early or participate in the live event at the link below!
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker
Click here to submit an early question or join the chat at 1 pm CST on Friday.
The Opener: Rooker, Meadows, Corbin
Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Rooker to undergo imaging:
The A’s suffered a worrisome injury yesterday when slugger Brent Rooker exited in the first inning of their game against the Yankees. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com writes that Rooker was diagnosed with “right flank discomfort” and that manager Mark Kotsay told reporters they’d have a more detailed update on the veteran’s status today once he’s undergone imaging. Losing Rooker would be a big blow to the A’s. He hasn’t hit much so far this year but has been one of the team’s most reliable sluggers for years now with 99 homers between 2023 and ’25. If Rooker winds up missing time, perhaps the A’s could look to use the DH slot to rest some of their regulars or improve their outfield defense by moving Tyler Soderstrom out of left field temporarily.
2. Meadows being evaluated following collision:
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows faced a major scare yesterday when he collided in the outfield with Riley Greene. Chris McCosky of The Detroit News notes that Meadows was held overnight at a local hospital after exiting the game. It’s unknown at this point exactly how much time Meadows should be expected to miss, but a trip to the injured list seems likely and the Tigers are already planning for that eventuality. Jason Beck of MLB.com reports that outfielder Wenceel Perez was left out of last night’s lineup for Triple-A Toledo, and as the clear next man up on the Tigers’ outfield depth chart it seems likely he’s already en route to Minneapolis. The switch-hitter turned in league average numbers in 100 games last year and should be a solid stopgap while Meadows recovers.
3. Corbin to make season debut:
Veteran southpaw Patrick Corbin is in line to kick off the 14th MLB season of his career today as he suits up for the Blue Jays for the first time. After turning in a decent season with the Rangers last year where he pitched to a 4.40 ERA with a 4.25 FIP, Corbin will kick off his age-36 season by taking on Simeon Woods Richardson and the Twins in Toronto. A former Jays farmhand, Woods Richardson posted a 4.04 ERA in 111 1/3 innings of work last year. So far this season, he’s turned in 11 2/3 innings of three-run ball but surrendered two homers and struck out just 13.0% of his opponents. Tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:07pm ET in Toronto.
Kansas City Officials Propose Royals’ Stadium Plan
The Royals have spent a few years trying to secure public funding towards a new stadium. Those efforts seem closer to reality. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas announced this afternoon that his office has proposed an ordinance towards a $1.9 billion investment plan for a new stadium and surrounding infrastructure in the Washington Square Park area in downtown Kansas City. Sam McDowell and Kacen Bayless of The Kansas City Star first reported the news in a column which those in the area will want to read in full.
The proposal would authorize roughly $600MM in city funding towards the project. That’s independent of whatever money would come from the state. Last summer, Missouri passed a law that allows the state to fund up to 50% of major stadium construction projects.
That was geared not only towards the Royals but also the NFL’s Chiefs, who have sought a move out of Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs ultimately found what they consider a better deal with Kansas lawmakers. They announced in December they’ll proceed with plans to move over the state border in 2031 on a $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas.
Today’s news makes it seem there’s a decent chance the Royals will remain in Kansas City, Missouri. However, this is not any kind of binding arrangement. It’d still need approval from the City Council, to say nothing of an agreement from the Royals themselves.
The idea would be for the Royals to commit to a 30-year lease beginning in 2030. The team’s lease at Kauffman Stadium runs through 2030, but the mayor’s office evidently hopes to have the new stadium ready for play a year in advance. He told reporters this evening the hope is for construction to begin early in 2027.
The team has not formally weighed in on the terms. Owner John Sherman has generally voiced support for a downtown ballpark. The mayor tells The K.C. Star that this proposal was the result of “hours and hours of extensive discussion” with the team. Even if the Royals are on board with the city’s plans, the state’s contributions would still need to be sorted out. Notably, this proposal does not include plans for a public vote. In April 2024, Jackson County voters shot down a sales tax measure to fund Royals/Chiefs stadium projects via referendum.
The Royals have played at Kauffman Stadium since 1973. It’s the fifth-oldest active venue in MLB behind Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, and Angel Stadium.
A’s Notes: Rooker, Ginn, Perkins
The Athletics are sending Brent Rooker for imaging tomorrow, writes Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. The slugger gestured toward his right side/hip area on a foul ball in the first inning of today’s win over the Yankees. Rooker exited the game after a brief conversation with trainers and skipper Mark Kotsay.
The preliminary diagnosis is right flank discomfort. The obvious concern is a potential oblique strain. Those usually require multi-week absences for hitters. Even moderate oblique strains can cost more than a month. The A’s will have a better idea tomorrow whether that’s in play.
Rooker has had a tough start to the season. He’s hitting .146 with 17 strikeouts in 49 trips to the plate. He did have a monster game against the Astros on Sunday, slugging both of his home runs and driving in six of his eight total RBI. He capped that game with a three-run, walk-off shot in the tenth inning off Bryan Abreu.
If Rooker needs an injured list stint, infielder Zack Gelof seems the favorite to replace him on the roster. The A’s scratched him from today’s Triple-A lineup. Gelof has been on an absolute tear to begin the minor league season, hitting .366 with a .519 on-base mark and four home runs over 54 plate appearances.
Gelof is primarily a second baseman and has gotten some outfield work this spring and in the minors. If Rooker misses time, the A’s could give 34-year-old second baseman Jeff McNeil some DH reps. Gelof or Carlos Cortes could grab some extra right field work if the A’s want to mix in a few semi-rest days for Lawrence Butler after last fall’s knee surgery.
The A’s took two of three from the Yankees this week. They’re staying in New York for a weekend set against the Mets. Former Mets draftee J.T. Ginn will start tomorrow’s series opener against Clay Holmes. It’ll be Ginn’s first start of the season after three relief appearances. The A’s needed a new fifth starter after optioning struggling righty Luis Morales earlier in the week. Ginn is seemingly getting the first opportunity.
Jack Perkins was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before Thursday’s game, with Michael Kelly optioned out in a corresponding move. Perkins is up for the first time this season and seemingly ticketed for the long relief role which Ginn had played. The righty has worked 7 2/3 innings over three Triple-A appearances this year, striking out nine but issuing seven walks. Perkins started four of his first 12 big league outings last season. He turned in a 4.19 earned run average through 38 2/3 frames.
Yankees To Designate Cade Winquest For Assignment
The Yankees are designating Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest for assignment, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The righty didn’t get into a game during his two weeks in New York’s bullpen.
That’ll evidently be the corresponding move for tomorrow’s recall of Luis Gil. Manager Aaron Boone said over the weekend that the Yankees would bring Gil up this week. He’s listed as the probable starter opposite Steven Matz for Friday’s series opener against the Rays. The 13-pitcher limit meant an arm from the MLB roster had to be squeezed out.
The Yankees had the luxury of running a four-man rotation for the first couple weeks based on their number of available off days. Gil joins Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers in the rotation. They needed to drop from nine to eight in the bullpen. Brent Headrick has pitched too well to be sent down. Jake Bird has been sharp as well aside from one ugly outing against Miami on Sunday. Fernando Cruz and Camilo Doval are their only other relievers with minor league options.
Rather than option a more trusted reliever in Bird, the Yankees move on from Winquest. The 25-year-old didn’t have a great spring, allowing nine runs (eight earned) with eight strikeouts and four walks across 10 innings. It was a surprise that he broke camp at all.
The Yankees clearly liked some of what they saw but didn’t find a scenario where Boone felt comfortable bringing him into a regular season game. Teams generally use Rule 5 picks as low-leverage relievers, especially early in the season before they’ve gained a manager’s trust. All four of New York’s losses have been by one run, games in which they could certainly have come back. They’ve had three blowout wins, but two came behind long outings from Fried and one followed an off day so the rest of the bullpen was fresh.
They’ll have five days to trade Winquest or place him on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll be offered back to the Cardinals. The former eighth-round pick had previously spent his entire career in the St. Louis organization. He has worked as a minor league starting pitcher and combined for a 3.99 ERA across 106 innings between High-A and Double-A last year. Unless another team is willing to keep him on the MLB roster, he’ll head back to his original club without requiring a spot on the 40-man roster for St. Louis.
Marlins Notes: Stowers, Conine, De Los Santos
Marlins’ outfielder Kyle Stowers is nearing a return, according to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola. Stowers will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp this Friday. The 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2025 after cracking 25 homers, and his 149 wRC+ (a ballpark-adjusted measure of total offensive production that indicates he was 49% better than a league-average hitter) ranked 8th among all batters with a minimum of 450 PAs.
Stowers, who primarily split time between the corner outfield spots last year, has begun taking first base drills in addition to his usual outfield work. While manager Clayton McCullough didn’t commit to using Stowers there, he called it “a possibility” that the Fish could occasionally get him first base work in games. Coming off a Grade-1 hamstring injury, the Marlins will be keen to protect their star hitter’s health and address the void at 1B in the wake of Christopher Morel’s oblique injury.
In Morel’s absence, the Marlins have Frankensteined a first baseman, primarily out of Connor Norby and contributions from Liam Hicks, Graham Pauley, and prospect Deyvison De Los Santos. Although the early returns have been positive, there are some roster advantages to having Stowers at first. While Stowers has not donned a first base mitt professionally at any level, the Marlins have a glut of outfield options with Jakob Marsee, Owen Caissie, Heriberto Hernandez, Griffin Conine, and Austin Slater on the active roster. Playing Stowers at first base also gives them the option to insert an extra left-hander into the lineup alongside Griffin, Marsee, and Caissie, and despite being a finalist for the 2025 left field Gold Glove, advanced defensive metrics like DRS (1) and FRV (0) value Stowers’ contributions as neutral/average (in Stowers’ defense, none of the other Marlins’ outfielders are pushing him out of left with their defensive production to this point).
However, not all the health news coming out of Miami is positive: Conine exited Thursday’s game against the Reds with left hamstring discomfort, McCullough told reporters (including Kevin Barral of Fish on First). Conine has been hot in the early going with a .300/.390/.650 triple-slash with a pair of homers and steals, good for a 188 wRC+ (88% better offensive production than league average), but he may have an IL trip ahead of him. Barral also notes that De Los Santos was pulled from the Jacksonville lineup mid-game as a possible precursor to a corresponding move (should Conine’s injury warrant an IL trip). De Los Santos, who profiles as an aggressive, power-over-hit batter, should be in the mix for first base starts alongside fellow righty hitter Connor Norby while the Marlins continue to weigh their options at first and in the outfield.