MLB Player News

Matsui (back) will pitch in the Padres' Cactus League finale against the A's on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Back tightness cost Matsui several weeks of his first major-league spring training after he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December. However, the lefty made it through an intrasquad game over the weekend and his imminent return to exhibition play bodes well for his chances of making the trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the Dodgers. Matsui was a top closer in Japan and could eventually find his way into the ninth inning, though MLB.com is projecting him to to open the season as one of the team's primary setup men.

Martin (lat) allowed one hit and struck one over one scoreless inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Martin pitched in a game for the first time since last spring. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a tear in the lat tendon of his right shoulder. The right-hander may not have enough time to be ready for the start of the season, but Martin's performance Tuesday suggests he'll get an opportunity to contribute for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2024.

The Nationals optioned Brzykcy (elbow) to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Brzykcy will head back to the minors after surrendering nine runs across 18 innings during spring training while striking out 18 batters and walking nine. The 24-year-old righty was dominant in Double-A in 2022 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 38 frames and didn't allow a run in two Triple-A appearances upon being promoted at the end of the year. However, a forearm strain cost him the entire 2023 campaign, and Brzykcy underwent Tommy John surgery in June to address the issue. If Brzykcy is able to return to his 2022 form at Rochester once he fully recovers from his procedure, he could be a candidate to join Washington's bullpen at some point this season.

The Pirates optioned Selby to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Selby was roughed up for five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings this spring. The 26-year-old reliever should spend some time in the Pirates' bullpen this season but will open the year at Indianapolis.

Small has allowed one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings across two Cactus League games.

Small isn't getting a particularly long look so far, which doesn't bode well for him making the major-league bullpen. Small worked as a starter in the minors up until last season. He has 10.1 major-league innings under his belt with the Brewers, but he's yet to display much success in the majors. The southpaw would likely end up in a low-leverage role if he happens to break camp with the Giants.

The Rockies optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Hollowell made 26 relief appearances for the Rockies last season and had a 5.88 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB across 33.2 innings. The 26-year-old struggled during spring training with seven runs allowed, including three homers, across 4.2 innings.

The Rockies optioned Pint to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Patrick Lyons of Just Baseball reports.

Pint gets the boot even after tossing six scoreless innings this spring, though that did come with a 5:4 K:BB. The hard-throwing right-hander has major control issues but the swing-and-miss stuff to be a late-inning reliever if he can just get the walks to a passable level.

Diaz topped out at 98 mph with his fastball while striking out the side in a perfect fifth inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Seeing his first game action in almost exactly a year after he blew out his knee in the WBC last March, Diaz fanned Jesus Sanchez, Avisail Garcia and Jon Berti and showed no rust at all in his return to the mound. The right-hander fired nine of 14 pitches for strikes, and he's on track to resume the closing duties that saw him record exactly 32 saves in 2021 and 2022 for the Mets.

Iglesias walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The Atlanta closer followed Spencer Strider in the game and took over for the sixth inning, fanning Willi Castro and Carlos Santana before escaping a bit of a jam created by an error on the part of minor-league second baseman Luke Waddell. Iglesias has a 4:2 K:BB through three spring innings, and he appears on track to be ready for Opening Day after reaching 30 saves for the fourth time in his career in 2023.

Sewald struck out two over a hitless and scoreless inning in Monday's spring game against Oakland.

Sewald made his fourth Cactus League appearance and left a scoreless spring intact after pitching a perfect seventh inning. His velocity was down compared to last season, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, but manager Torey Lovullo downplayed that as the normal ramping up through the course of spring training. Additionally, none of the 14 pitches (nine strikes) he threw were a changeup -- a pitch he's incorporating to his arsenal this spring to prevent batters from keying in on his fastball. "I need something to drop to make my fastball look even more like it rises," Sewald told Jesse Borek of MLB.com about the new pitch. "So that's kind of the point -- that people can't cheat to my fastball." Sewald's allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three over four scoreless spring innings as he prepares to be Arizona's closer.