MLB Player News

Clase has allowed two hits and struck out four batters over his first two Cactus League appearances.

Clase saved 44 of his 56 opportunities last season, and while it wasn't the dominance he displayed in the previous two years, he was never at risk of losing ninth-inning duties. Clase should continue in the closer role this season. James Karinchak (shoulder) and Trevor Stephan (elbow) are already banged up in the spring, leaving Scott Barlow as the Guardians' top option for saves when Clase is unavailable.

The Yankees optioned Gomez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Gomez made his MLB debut late last season with a scoreless two-inning appearance but was never a likely bet to crack the Yankees' Opening Day roster. He made one Grapefruit League appearance with New York during spring training and gave up two runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. Gomez pitched well as a starter at Double-A Somerset last season with a 3.58 ERA across 65.1 innings.

Bernardino allowed one hit over one scoreless inning in Saturday's spring game against Washington.

Bernardino, who was making his Grapefruit League debut, gave up a double to the first batter he faced then calmly got out of the inning unscathed. The left-hander bounced between Boston and Triple-A Worcester upon being claimed off waivers from Seattle in April, but he held down a steady job in the bullpen and thrived from June through the end of the season. That included several outings as an opener. In all, Bernardino logged 55 appearances -- tied for second-most behind Josh Winckowski -- and recorded a 3.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 50.2 innings. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but 2023 was a breakout season for the reliever, who appears to have a lock on a bullpen spot.

Jackson (elbow/appendix) has made two appearances for the Athletics thus far during Cactus League play, covering two scoreless innings and striking out a batter while giving up one hit and one walk.

When healthy, Jackson was one of the Athletics' top relievers last season, but he didn't make any appearances after May 16 due to a right flexor tendon strain. He began a minor-league rehab assignment in late July, but he ultimately wasn't activated from the 60-day injured list after he required an emergency appendectomy. Jackson appears to have made a full recovery from the appendectomy and should be in good shape to make the Athletics' Opening Day roster, but it's unclear if he'll be a part of Oakland's unsettled closing situation.

Brieske has adjusted the grip on his slider over the offseason to give the pitch more spin, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Brieske said his previous slider acted more like a cutter at times, but he's adjusted his grip to hold the ball deeper in his hand and develop more spin. In his first spring appearance, the average spin rate of the pitch sat at 2,399 rpm, up 200 revolutions from last season, while the slider's speed was down a few ticks. He followed that performance with two more scoreless innings Saturday. Brieske had some success in a bullpen role last year, posting a 3.60 ERA across 35 innings, and he could take a step forward if his new slider is effective.

Francis struck out three and walked one over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Entering the game to begin the fifth inning, Francis faced his toughest challenge in the sixth but breezed through the top of the Atlanta order, striking out Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia before getting Travis d'Arnaud to fly out. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 30 of 42 pitches for strikes before exiting, and with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking questionable for Opening Day, Francis may have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Laweryson (biceps) made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday in the Twins' 3-3 tie with the Phillies, striking out three over one inning while allowing two earned runs on one hit.

Laweryson served up a two-run home run that put the Twins in a 3-0 hole in the top of the seventh, but Minnesota rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to salvage a tie. A 25-year-old right-hander who has yet to reach the majors, Laweryson isn't a serious threat to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but he at least appears to be healthy entering the 2024 season after he didn't pitch after Aug. 15 of last season due to right biceps tendinitis.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Saturday.

Martinez received a quick cut from camp after yielding four runs over 1.1 innings in his two Cactus League outings. The 27-year-old could be used as a starter or reliever at Las Vegas.

The Mariners reassigned Poppen to minor-league camp Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Poppen appeared in two games for the Mariners this spring, surrendering just one hit while striking out three batters, but he will be removed from big-league camp nonetheless. Poppen logged a 6.33 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 58.1 innings in Triple-A last season and will presumably begin the season in Tacoma.

The Mariners reassigned Hembree to minor-league camp Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hembree threw a perfect inning during his lone appearance of the spring, but his chances to make the team were always slim. The 35-year-old righty will head to Triple-A Tacoma to provide the Mariners with organizational depth in the bullpen.