MLB Player News

Hicks has allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings across two Cactus League starts.

The Giants are committed to letting Hicks begin 2024 as a starter, as they lack rotation depth. The numbers so far are not encouraging -- Hicks is struggling with walks and loud contact. Oracle Park should help limit the damage on flyballs, and his elite velocity will lead to plenty of strikeouts. Hicks will need to prove his durability in a starting role, as a return to the bullpen will linger over him if his performance slips or an injury costs him a large chunk of the season.

Montas allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Royals.

Montas, who shined with two perfect innings in his Cactus League debut, allowed soft contact in the first two innings but managed to prevent runs. The third inning, however, was different. The Royals scored five runs during the frame, including a pair of home runs off Montas. "I didn't really have my fastball command today. It was inconsistent," Montas told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "The difference for any pitcher is fastball command." Reds manager David Bell referred to the pitcher's tiring in the third inning as a "normal part of the build up."

Bednar (lat) is currently shut down from throwing but hopes to be back soon, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bednar is dealing with some tightness in his right lat but seems optimistic he won't need a long-term absence. Injury optimism from players should be taken with a grain of salt, of course, and those that have already rostered Bednar in fantasy leagues might want to consider late-round insurance of Aroldis Chapman just in case.

Jarvis allowed five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's spring game against the Brewers.

Jarvis, who was scheduled to throw the fifth and sixth innings, but was unable to complete either frame, per Michael McDermott of SI.com. The right-hander threw 47 pitches, 29 for strikes. "You make some middle-middle mistakes, you're going to get banged around," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "Hopefully he starts to command the baseball a little bit better and work through some innings without having that pitch count climb." If Jarvis, who came up through the minors as a starter, were to make the roster, it would be as a multi-inning reliever. Through two appearances, he's allowed eight runs on seven hits and three walks over two innings.

Vanasco was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Vanasco pitched well with the Dodgers this spring, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two batters over three appearances. The 25-year-old will now have to wait for his next shot to return to the major-league roster, and his performance in Cactus League play certainly helps.

Dominguez is focusing on his mindset this spring in an effort to stop overthinking as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dominguez's ERA rose from 3.00 in 2022 to 3.78 in 2023, with his 4.90 xFIP suggesting that things could easily have been a good deal worse. Of particular concern is Dominguez's strikeout rate, which dropped from 29.5 percent to 21.4 percent. Per Coffey's report, the righty isn't overhauling his delivery or pitch mix this winter, instead focusing on, "trying to manage his delivery less now, rather than thinking about it when he's halfway down the mound." Whether or not that helps Dominguez get back to peak form, something which is needed if he's to carve out save chances in a deep Phillies bullpen, remains to be seen.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar is dealing with right lat tightness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander apparently felt the tightness while throwing recently and is now being monitored by the training staff. It remains to be seen if the issue will affect Bednar's availability for the start of the regular season, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.

Helsley has allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over two innings across two Grapefruit League appearances.

Helsley enters 2024 with a tentative grasp on the closing role in St. Louis. A forearm injury derailed his 2023, though he was solid with 14 saves and a 2.45 ERA over 36.2 innings last season. The Cardinals have retooled their bullpen a bit, but Helsley should remain the favorite for saves to begin the campaign.

O'Brien has allowed three hits and struck out two without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play.

O'Brien was acquired in a trade with the Mariners in November and added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster. So far, he's making a good case for a bullpen spot in 2024. Last season was his first good one at the Triple-A level -- he had a 2.29 ERA and saved 15 games for Triple-A Tacoma, but it remains to be seen how he'll adjust to major-league hitters in a larger sample.

Moreta was removed from Sunday's spring game against the Orioles due to an apparent elbow injury, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander averaged just under 90 mph on his fastball Sunday, which is significantly down from his 95.2-mph average last season. The specifics of the situation remain unclear, but Moreta was seen shaking his arm as he exited the field.