MLB Player News

Morejon is a candidate for a rotation role to begin the campaign, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

There is some question about whether Dinelson Lamet (elbow) will re ready by the start of the campaign, which could open the door for one of the Padres' young pitchers to temporarily claim a rotation spot. Morejon might be the favorite in that scenario given that his theoretical competitors for the role (MacKenzie Gore and Ryan Weathers) have each yet to throw a regular-season big-league inning. Morejon has thus far allowed only one run over four innings this spring while racking up five strikeouts, though his six walks are a concern.

Weathers has a legitimate chance to open the season on the big-league roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Weathers has held his own thus far in Cactus League play, allowing a pair of earned runs and striking out three over four innings. The Padres may have a need for a a fifth starter to open the campaign if Dinelson Lamet (elbow) needs more time to ramp up, and Weathers has been mentioned as a candidate for the role (along with fellow prospect MacKenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon). Even if he isn't tabbed as a temporary starter, Weathers could still open the campaign on the big-league roster as a multiple-inning reliever.

Chafin allowed three runs on three hits across one inning in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

A Wilmer Flores two-run home run was the key blow against Chafin. The southpaw won't be counted on to face too many righties like Flores during the regular season, though Chafin actually held that handedness to a .228 batting average the past three seasons, compared to the .261 average he allowed to lefties. Chafin could see an expanded role in 2021 if he continues to have some success against opposite-handed batters, but he still figures to primarily be used in same-handed matchups.

Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Wednesday that Guzman is "out for a bit" due to right elbow inflammation, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Guzman hasn't yet appeared in a Grapefruit League game this year, but he's apparently been unavailable due to a right elbow issue. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, but Guzman will likely begin the season in the minors once he's fully healthy.

Rodriguez (biceps) is listed among the available relievers for Wednesday's spring game against the Giants, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez suffered a right biceps strain in March 2020 that forced him to miss all of last season, but he's now healthy and could make his spring debut Wednesday. The right-hander could contend for a major-league bullpen spot after posting a 3.45 ERA and 65:17 K:BB over 47 innings with High-A Myrtle Beach in 2019.

Bickford threw his third scoreless inning of the spring in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Giants.

Bickford was tagged for four earned runs in the first big-league appearance of his career last September, but he has put that behind him and is off to a good start this spring. Bickford was once considered one of the better prospects in baseball, and although he no longer carries that tag, he does still possess the arm talent to contend for a spot in the Brewers' bullpen.

Nelson completed two perfect innings in Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Reds, striking out three batters.

Nelson needed a mere 20 pitches to retire all six batters he faced, racking up three strikeouts in the process. The veteran has impressed in his two spring starts, allowing only an unearned run and one hit while striking out four over three frames. He appears healthy and could be making a push for a roster spot, though he could start in a relief role if he makes the team. Per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com, Nelson would be open to such a scenario.

Neris worked on a slider over the offseason and has been trying it out in spring games, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Neris threw a slider infrequently earlier in his career, last using it in in 2017. His profile is led by a splitter that can be a dominant pitch at times, but he may need something more after a disappointing season that saw him struggle to a 4.57 ERA and a career-worst 12.6 percent walk rate. There's no guarantee the reborn slider will have the desired effect, but there's at least a chance it helps him get back to being the guy who posted a 3.23 ERA from 2016 to 2019. He currently looks to be locked into a tight race with Archie Bradley for the Phillies' closer job, with the team yet to offer much clarity about the situation.

Reyes will be deployed strictly as a reliever this season with the goal of reaching 100 innings, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The club plans on moving him to the rotation in 2022, assuming he holds up physically this year while working as a long reliever. Reyes has the stuff to be one of the best multi-inning relievers this year, which makes him relevant in most roto formats even if he's not regularly getting saves. Staying healthy is the big goal for the former top pitching prospect. He could vulture some wins and saves in this role, and Reyes figures to eclipse 100 strikeouts easily if he stays healthy.

Ponce de Leon, who has a chance to win the No. 5 role in the starting rotation, allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk over two innings during a Grapefruit League tie with the Marlins on Monday. He struck out four.

While he's yet to open a game in either of his first two Grapefruit League turns, Ponce de Leon has essentially logged an early-spring starter's workload with his pair of two-inning appearances. Despite giving up consecutive two-baggers Monday, the 29-year-old has pitched well overall and owns a 2.25 ERA over his four-inning spring resume thus far.