MLB Player News

The Nationals reassigned Perez to minor-league camp Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Perez made 10 relief appearances at the big-league level for Washington in 2022 but did little to distinguish himself, logging a 7.27 ERA and 2.54 WHIP across 8.2 innings. He'll likely need to turn in quality results at Triple-A Rochester over an extended period to begin the 2023 campaign before the Nationals consider giving him another look in the majors.

Puk (groin) threw a round of live batting practice Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Assuming there are no setbacks coming out of that workout, Puk will be on the rubber for his Grapefruit League debut Friday. He's been taking it slow over the last week or so due to left adductor tightness, but there are no serious concerns about his readiness for the beginning of the 2023 regular season. The southpaw figures to take on a share of the closer role this year in Miami, health permitting.

Scott (biceps) threw live batting practice Tuesday in Marlins camp, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

If he arrives back in camp Wednesday without any renewed discomfort, Scott should be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut this Friday. He's been eased along so far at spring training because of minor discomfort in his left biceps, but it's looking like the 28-year-old high-leverage reliever is on track for Opening Day.

Boxberger pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout to record a hold in Monday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Boxberger has made three appearances this spring, and each one has been a scoreless inning with a strikeout. He's also recorded two holds. The veteran's spot in the bullpen is secure and he could emerge as the closer if he continues to impress. Holdovers Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes are also in the mix to close, along with fellow newcomer Michael Fulmer. It might be a committee situation, at least to begin the regular season.

Jameson allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 2.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Royals.

Jameson gave up a first-inning home run then allowed several base runners in the second before being pulled. He came back out for the third inning to face one more batter in what was his first clunker in three Cactus League starts. Of the group battling for the final rotation spot, Jameson has been the best among Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson.

Melancon allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning in Monday's spring game against Kansas City.

That makes two disappointing -- maybe alarming -- Cactus League outings by Melancon, who's given up five runs on nine hits over two innings this spring. While he was not named the sole closer, Melancon is expected to be part of the crew that closes out games, but not if results like this are the norm. Those speculating on Arizona saves may want to keep the names Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply handy. Of the group, Mantiply has the most success so far this spring.

Garcia (arm) will no longer pitch for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

It's no surprise after Garcia had to be removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League appearance with tightness in his pitching arm. He's still undergoing additional testing, at which point a more specific diagnosis and timetable should be available.

Bruihl departed Monday's Cactus League appearance versus the Padres with back spasms, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Both of the batters he faced reached before he was lifted. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was unconcerned about the injury, so it's probably safe to call Bruihl day-to-day.

Johnson said Monday that the right knee injury which forced him from an appearance Sunday isn't a concern, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Johnson's knee was a little sore, but it sounds like he was lifted Sunday in large part because he needed 32 pitches to record just two outs. The Rockies are counting on the right-hander to be one of their high-leverage relievers this season, so they'll hope he can get sharper before Opening Day.

Bard (thumb) gave up a solo home run and struck out a batter during an inning of relief Saturday in the Rockies' 7-1 Cactus League win over the Mariners.

Jake Scheiner's long ball prevented the Rockies from claiming a shutout, but the team was likely just happy to have their presumptive closer back in action after he suffered a small cut on his right thumb during his prior appearance three days earlier. Assuming Bard experienced no setbacks with the thumb coming out of the relief outing, he'll likely join the American team later this week in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.