MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks reassigned Hughes to minor-league camp Thursday.

Hughes finished the 2023 season on the Cubs' 60-day injured list while he recovered from left knee surgery, but since he was making minor-league rehab appearances in September, he seemingly entered the offseason with a clean bill of health. After the Cubs non-tendered him in November, Hughes caught on with the Diamondbacks on a minor-league deal in free agency and turned in a 2.45 ERA while striking out five over 3.2 innings through his four Cactus League appearances. Though Hughes' solid spring wasn't enough to help him secure a spot in Arizona's Opening Day bullpen, he could be in the mix for a promotion to the big club if he continues to excel at Triple-A Reno early in the season.

Vasquez tossed 3.2 innings against Cincinnati in a Cactus League contest Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Vasquez came into the outing having tossed two spring outings during which he allowed just one run on two hits and four walks with six punchouts over five frames. Wednesday's start was a step in the wrong direction, as the right hander served up five extra-base hits, including a trio of homers. Vasquez is in the running for one of two spots at the back of the Padres' rotation to begin the campaign, with Jhony Brito, Matt Waldron and Pedro Avila being his primary competition. One thing going for Vasquez is that he had moderate success with the Yankees in his first taste of major-league action last year. Over 11 outings (including five starts), he posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB across 37.2 innings.

Assad tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Assad entered the game having allowed seven runs (six earned) across his first 3.1 innings this spring, so this was a step in the right direction. After serving as a valuable swingman last season, the righty is in the mix to start for the Cubs on a more regular basis in 2024. He may need to string together a few more good outings in camp to beat out Jordan Wicks for a rotation spot.

Pagan (hernia) has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game, but the Reds haven't yet ruled him out for Opening Day, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds have four of their primary relievers not pitching in games right now -- Pagan, Sam Moll (shoulder), Alex Young (back) and Ian Gibaut (forearm).

With Nick Lodolo (leg) behind schedule this spring, both Andrew Abbott and Martinez are likely to begin the season in the starting rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Initially, Martinez and Abbott were considered competitors for the fifth starter's job, but that decision will be deferred until Lodolo is up to speed and banging down the door to start.

Fujinami's (personal) Grapefruit League debut will now take place Thursday versus the Nationals after Wednesday's game against the Astros was rained out, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami is healthy but faced a delay to his spring training while tending to a family matter in his native Japan. He will still have plenty of time to get ramped up ahead of Opening Day.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Moreta is dealing with a ligament injury to his right elbow, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The hurler is still being evaluated before a decision is made about how to treat the injury, but Tomczyk said Moreta will miss "an extended period of time." The loss of Moreta for any length of time is a big blow to the Pirates bullpen, as he held a 3.72 ERA and 76:24 K:BB across 58 innings in 2023 and had been pegged for a key role again in 2024.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Hudson "will be in our bullpen," Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson is attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but Roberts' comments imply that the veteran reliever will be added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster ahead of the Dodgers' March 20 season opener versus the Padres in South Korea. Though he missed most of the last two seasons with knee issues, Hudson has been healthy thus far in spring training. Hudson hasn't been overly sharp in 3.2 Cactus League innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks, but the Dodgers will bet on the veteran right-hander's track record as they include him in their bullpen.

Killian underwent an MRI after exiting a Cactus League appearance Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The results of the MRI aren't yet in, but it's certainly a discouraging development for the young right-hander. If healthy, Killian is likely slated for a spot in the Triple-A Iowa rotation, though he could also be an option for the big-league club as a reliever.

Alzolay (illness) struck out one and worked around a base hit in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Guardians in Cactus League play.

Alzolay had been in line to make his second appearance of spring training last Friday, but the Cubs scratched him from the pitching schedule after he came down with the illness. The right-hander quickly overcame the ailment, clearing up any lingering concern about his status heading into Opening Day. Though Alzolay paced the Cubs with 22 saves in 2023, he could face competition for save chances from the likes of Hector Neris, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Cubs in January.