MLB Player News

The Padres reassigned Carlton (elbow) to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Carlton posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 20.2 innings out of the San Diego bullpen last season before he was placed on the injured list July 1 with elbow inflammation. He proceeded to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign before he was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso in the offseason. Though Carlton remains in the organization and had been invited to big-league spring training, he hadn't made any Cactus League appearances, so it's not yet clear if he's overcome the elbow issue. Whenever Carlton is ready to pitch, he'll likely join the El Paso bullpen.

Thompson will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Thompson will be getting the second Tommy John surgery of his career, as he also needed the operation back in high school. He'll miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign and possibly the start of next season as well, since rehab from a second UCL repair is usually more deliberate.

Faucher (biceps) is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Faucher, whom the Marlins acquired from Tampa Bay in November, closed the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list after developing right biceps tendinitis in mid-August. He hasn't faced any apparent limitations in spring training, however, as he'll be making his second Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday after he gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while retiring two batters in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Nationals. Faucher projects to fill a middle-relief role out of the Miami bullpen.

Montas struck out two over two hitless and scoreless innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Cubs.

Montas logged two perfect innings in his Cactus League debut, which left him feeling ebullient following the outing. The right-hander underwent shoulder surgery in February 2023 and made one relief appearance for the Yankees last season. "It's been a long time," Montas told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "I think two years [ago] when I was pitching in spring training. Being back on the mound is exciting for me. I feel happy and blessed about that." He threw 27 pitches and used his entire arsenal -- four-seam and two-seam fastball, splitter, cutter and slider -- with his velocity sitting 94-to-96 mph.

Martinez, Andrew Abbott and to a lesser extent, Brandon Williamson, are competing for the Reds' fifth starter role, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Martinez would still pitch in a high-leverage role out of the bullpen should he lose out to Abbott, a role he has filled before. This presumes Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo (lower leg) are all healthy enough to begin the season, which is no sure thing.

Kranick struck out two batters over two perfect innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The 26-year-old didn't pitch in the majors at all last season while still in the Pirates' organization, but after being claimed off waivers by the Mets in January, Kranick has a chance to crack the big-league rotation. Monday's outing came against a Washington squad that featured most of its likely Opening Day lineup, but the right-hander will need to keep pitching well this spring to emerge from a pack of arms that includes Tylor Megill, Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi and seize the fifth starter role.

Beck has been sent back to San Francisco to be evaluated due to right hand discomfort, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck has not made a Cactus League appearance yet this spring but evidently has felt something in his hand while throwing. More should be known about a potential timetable for his return after he's examined. Beck and Keaton Winn (elbow) are expected to slot into the final two spots in the Giants' rotation, but both players are now dealing with injuries.

Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barnes missed much of the 2023 season following hip surgery and had just a 5.48 ERA in 24 appearances before the operation. The veteran reliever is now healthy and looking for a bounce-back year. Barring another injury, Barnes should make the Nats' Opening Day roster.

Floro (shoulder) threw 15 pitches off a mound at about 70 percent effort Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Floro has been dealing with some early-camp right shoulder tightness but has continued with a scaled-down throwing program. He figures to need a little time before being cleared for games, but it doesn't seem like an injury that will affect his Opening Day readiness.

Martinez walked one and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Brewers.

The Reds deployed Martinez and Andrew Abbott in their two split-squad games. Abbott is penciled in for the rotation, but Martinez's role is less clear. He wants to start but has been effective in a dual starter/reliever role.