MLB Player News

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Gage appeared in four games with the Dodgers this spring, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four batters over four innings. The southpaw pitched in five games with the Astros in 2023, producing a 2.70 ERA with eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings, and he'll look to earn a call-up to the major-league roster with Los Angeles down the road.

Matzek wasn't available for Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Orioles in the Grapefruit League after experiencing tightness around his left rib cage, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek pushed to pitch Saturday, but the Atlanta training and coaching staffs ultimately decided to hold him out as a matter of precaution. Assuming Matzek's injury isn't a lingering concern that prevents him from getting back on the mound within the next few days, he should be in good position to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar (lat) played catch for the second straight day and that everything felt good, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bednar was shut down from throwing activities March 4 after feeling tightness in his lats, but the right-hander appears to be on the right track in his rehab. If Bednar is forced to miss time to start the season, Aroldis Chapman figures to fill the closer role while the former progresses through his recovery.

Williams is dealing with a sore back and will get a second opinion from a spine specialist in the coming week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin adds that Williams had an MRI on his back this past week. He'll continue to take time off as a precaution until he is assessed by a back specialist this week. Williams tallied 36 saves in 40 tries last season while posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB over 58.2 innings.

Fernandez has allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in Grapefruit League play.

Fernandez was acquired by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He will need to be on the major-league roster for all of the 2024 campaign -- if not, he must be offered back to the Red Sox. Given his work in spring, the Cardinals may be able to find a role for the 25-year-old right-hander. There are still a lot of options for middle-relief roles, but Fernandez's good first impression may help him stick with St. Louis.

Ginkel (elbow) gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Ginkel served up a solo home run to Mike Tauchman but otherwise escaped the fourth inning unscathed in his first action of spring training. Arizona had eased Ginkel into its spring pitching schedule after he reported elbow soreness early in camp, but as a reliever who typically works only one inning per appearance, he won't require much ramp-up time ahead of Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was one of seven players sent packing Sunday as Arizona reduced its group at major-league camp to 46 men. The team's decision to cut Martinez comes as little surprise after he struggled mightily in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2023, when he posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 10 innings out of the Arizona bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Treinen has a bruised lung but was cleared of any fractures to his ribs after undergoing X-rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen sustained the injury Saturday when he took a comebacker off his chest in his Cactus League appearance against the Rangers. Roberts said Sunday that Treinen's bruised lung isn't as serious as it sounds, and the Dodgers are still preparing for the veteran reliever to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If Treinen checks out fine following the side session, he could be available for the Dodgers' season-opening series in South Korea versus the Padres on March 20 and 21.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Brewers at the deadline last summer but made just one big-league appearance after the trade. Strzelecki had a decent 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 37 frames in the majors, but he struggled at Triple-A Reno with 12 earned runs allowed in 13 outings.

Pagan (sports hernia) struck out two over a perfect inning of relief Saturday in the Reds' 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks in Cactus League play.

The Reds had slow played Pagan's integration into the spring pitching schedule while he needed extra time to complete his recovery from offseason sports hernia surgery, but the veteran reliever looked sharp in his Cactus League debut Saturday. Assuming he comes out of spring training unscathed following his subsequent appearances, Pagan should serve as one of the top setup arms in front of closer Alexis Diaz during the upcoming season.