MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Little struggled in his first spring with Toronto, surrendering six earned runs in 6.1 innings. The 27-year-old southpaw spent all of last season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, recording a 4.05 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 73.1 frames.

Newcomb will start the 2024 season on injured list due to left knee irritation, MLB.com reports.

Newcomb underwent surgery on his lateral meniscus in his left knee this past September, but he was able to make his spring debut March 13 against the Royals. However, the left-hander is still not ready and will miss the start of the 2024 season. In addition to Newcomb, the Athletics will also be without Luis Medina (knee) and Ken Waldichuk (elbow) to begin the season.

Smith will begin the season in the Guardians' bullpen unless the team acquires another reliever in the next few days, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

At the moment, Smith's 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through eight spring innings has earned him a spot in Cleveland's bullpen, though it's unclear how aggressive the Guardians will be in pursuing another reliever to replace the 24-year-old righty. Smith spent most of last season in Triple-A Columbus, where he turned in a 4.65 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 40.2 frames. If he does remain on Cleveland's Opening Day roster, he likely will be limited to low-leverage situations to begin his MLB career.

Wood allowed an earned run on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch over three innings in a Cactus League win over the Reds on Friday. He struck out four.

The veteran, who's already been tabbed for an Opening Day start against Cleveland on Thursday, tuned up well for that outing with his three-inning stint on the mound. Wood's one stumble came in the form of an RBI double surrendered to Will Benson in the third inning, and the left-hander will finish spring having allowed just two earned runs over the eight innings covering his last two starts while generating an impressive 10:1 K:BB in that span.

Greene will not be on the Rangers' roster to begin the season, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Greene missed several days of Cactus League action due to a broken fingernail, but he still managed to pitch 5.1 spring innings, surrendering two earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB. Greene will presumably exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, but the 35-year-old likely won't receive more than a minor-league deal elsewhere.

The Rangers informed Shreve on Friday that he will not make Texas' roster out of spring training, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Shreve will likely exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and look to latch on with another organization in free agency. The 33-year-old southpaw turned in a 4.63 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 44.2 innings between the Reds and Tigers last season.

The Blue Jays optioned Danner to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Danner reached the big leagues for the first time last August, but the right-hander suffered a left oblique strain in his Blue Jays debut and was subsequently shut down for the season. He was fully healthy upon reporting to spring training, but the team likely wants to see the 25-year-old stack together some quality innings at the Triple-A level before making him a more permanent fixture in the big-league bullpen.

The Red Sox optioned Kelly (oblique) to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kelly won't make the cut for Boston's bullpen after missing most of March due to a left oblique injury. The right-hander failed to pitch as scheduled in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, but he should be healthy to begin the minor-league season and could quickly rejoin the Red Sox if he starts the year hot.

Swanson (forearm) played catch again Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander has played catch two days in a row after a brief shutdown period with forearm tightness. The Blue Jays' intention is wait until the end of camp before deciding whether Swanson will be part of the Opening Day roster or need a stay on the injured list.

Romano (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation earlier this week and was prescribed a few days of rest after being given an anti-inflammatory injection. He'll try to do some throwing Saturday as he attempts to ramp back up in time for Opening Day. The Blue Jays plan to wait until the very end of camp before making an injured list decision on their closer.