MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Williams to their alternate training site July 9.

The move seemingly takes Williams out of the running for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen. Williams logged only two appearances for the big club in 2019, giving up six earned runs on five hits and a walk while recording just one out.

Suero (undisclosed) completed a simulated game Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Even though Suero remains on the 10-day injured list, his presence at summer camp and ability to face hitters suggests he's reasonably healthy and won't miss much time beyond Opening Day. The right-hander reliever made 78 appearances for Washington in 2019, posting a 4.54 ERA, 81:26 K:BB and 19 holds over 71.1 innings.

Clarke allowed a pair of home runs and was charged with five runs over four innings in Monday's exhibition game against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks had a couple of troubling outings from starters in Los Angeles. Both Clarke and Taylor Widener, who started Sunday's contest, are expected to serve as starting depth in 2020 but were hit hard. "Am I concerned? Of course I am," manager Torey Lovullo said. "I don't like the outings that they had. But I think we're going to learn from them and continue to have those two guys grow and mature a little bit." Left-hander Alex Young is probably the first line of starting depth for Arizona before it needs Clarke or Widener.

Ponce de Leon felt what was described as a slight spasm in his neck/shoulder area while pitching in Sunday's intrasquad game, but he remained in the contest and the issue isn't expected to limit him moving forward, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The versatile right-hander allowed a two-run home run to Justin Williams during his outing, but he appeared to be no worse for wear with respect to the physical issue after a mound visit from manager Mike Shildt, pitching coach Mike Maddux and head trainer Adam Olsen. Ponce de Leon is expected to begin the season filling what could be multiple bullpen roles. Rob Rains of STLSportsPage.com reports Shildt officially confirmed Monday the 28-year-old will be on the Opening Day roster.

Llovera was transferred to the Phillies' alternate training site at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old was optioned to Lehigh Valley in March before spring training was shut down, and he'll now head there under different circumstances. Llovera spent last season at Double-A Reading and had a 4.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 72:28 K:BB over 65.1 innings.

Howard was transferred to the Phillies' alternate training site at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old was competing for a back-end spot in the starting rotation, but he won't be on the 30-man roster to begin the season. Howard put on a strong performance in summer camp and finished by allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over four innings during Tuesday's intrasquad game. Pitching coach Bryan Price previously said Howard should be a part of the rotation early in the season, and while that still may happen, he won't be on the team's Opening Day roster.

Nelson (back) landed on the 45-day injured list Tuesday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

The righty is set to undergo lumbar surgery, a procedure which will wipe out his 2020 season entirely. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers to add Jake McGee, who signed a major-league deal.

Alexander (undisclosed) tossed a simulated inning Monday, but his status for Opening Day remains in question, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Alexander did not report to camp until July 13 and has yet to throw in a game setting, so he may need extra time to ramp up before pitching in a regular-season contest. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that the team has yet to make a decision on Alexander's next steps, casting doubt on the reliever's status for Opening Day.

Webb was placed on the 45-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Tuesday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Webb could have played a role in Atlanta's bullpen this season, as he produced a strong 1.39 ERA in his 32.1-inning debut last year, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the majority of the campaign. It's not clear when he's expected to return, but he won't be eligible to do so until early September.

White won't be part of the Dodgers' initial 30-man roster, but he'll maintain an elevated pitch count in case the team needs him to start at some point during the season, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

White looked great in an exhibition start against Arizona on Sunday, giving up only one hit -- a solo home run by Ketel Marte -- in five innings. While there is no room for White in the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation, the team appears to be comfortable looking to him as a contingency plan in case a need for a spot starter arises. "To see him playing for us this year wouldn't be a surprise at all," noted manager Dave Roberts.