MLB Player News

Chafin (groin) struck out a batter and allowed a hit over a scoreless inning of relief Tuesday in the Diamondbacks' 7-6 loss to the Giants in Cactus League play.

Chafin experienced some groin tightness late last week, but he required only a few days off to overcome the issue before he re-entered the Diamondbacks' spring pitching schedule. Assuming the groin injury doesn't crop up again, Chafin will head into Opening Day in position for a high-leverage role out of the Arizona bullpen, with the southpaw potentially factoring into the mix for save chances when the Diamondbacks face lefty-heavy lineups in the late innings. Before signing with the Diamondbacks in free agency this winter, Chafin was a major bright spot for a 96-loss Tigers squad in 2022, logging a 2.83 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB across 57.1 innings.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Melancon has not pitched since last Friday because he's "battling some fatigue," Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.

The manager stressed that Melancon is fine, but that he's "backing off" certain players when the need arises. Melancon's had a rough spring and should not be considered the Diamondbacks' sole closer.

Legumina was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Legumina was acquired by the Reds from the Twins over the summer in the deadline deal for Tyler Mahle. The right-hander forged a 4.80 ERA in 33 appearances -- 16 starts -- over 86.1 innings between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita last season.

Karcher was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Louisville by the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Karcher was added to the 40-man roster by Cincinnati over the winter. The right-hander recorded a 3.65 ERA over 56.2 innings of work with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.

Gilbert (elbow) was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Diamondbacks camp.

Gilbert had surrendered 10 earned runs through only 5.1 innings of work this spring in Cactus League play. It should be noted that the 29-year-old southpaw finished the 2022 season on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow sprain.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Reno by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Martinez struck out 62 batters over 38 innings last season in the minor leagues, though only 4.2 of those frames were above Double-A. The 21-year-old figures to open in a high-leverage role with Reno in 2023.

Selby was optioned Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Selby pitched well in 2022 with a 2.27 ERA and eight saves over 29 appearances with Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis. The right-hander was protected from the Rule 5 Draft in November by being added to the 40-man roster, and should spend time in Pittsburgh this summer -- if not sooner.

Gilbreath (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery as scheduled Tuesday, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.

Gilbreath will miss the entire 2023 season, and his rehab is likely to extend into the early part of the 2024 campaign. The 27-year-old left-hander registered a 4.19 ERA and 49:26 K:BB over 43 innings of relief for the Rockies in 2022.

The Giants optioned Winn to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Winn was added to the 40-man roster in November so that he could be protected from the Rule 5 Draft, but he never stood much of a chance to make the Opening Day squad out of camp this spring. The 25-year-old posted a 4.08 ERA in 108 innings last season between Low-A, High-A and Double-A ball.

Beck (ankle) was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck was removed from a Cactus League appearance this past Sunday after taking a comebacker off his left ankle, but all seems to be well in that regard. The 26-year-old could get the call to the Giants as emergency rotation depth at some point in 2023.