MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Hollowell will fall short of making the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old appeared in seven regular-season games last season and posted a 2.57 ERA with a 12:2 K:BB across seven innings this spring.

The Giants sent Santos to minor-league camp Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Santos received an invite to spring camp, but he'll fall short of making the big-league roster. The 25-year-old allowed five runs (two earned) with a 2:5 K:BB in 3.1 innings this spring.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Junk will be the team's fifth starter, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Junk has officially won the fifth starting spot, beating out Braxton Garrett, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. Junk, now 30 years old, had his first prolonged big-league stint last season, starting in 16 of his 21 appearances with Miami and posting a 4.17 ERA across 110 innings. His first regular-season start is scheduled to come against the White Sox.

The Mets optioned Warren to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Warren made four appearances in the Grapefruit League, allowing one run on three hits with a 2:2 K:BB over four innings. The right-hander gave up just one run across 9.1 frames with the Mets last year and could join the big club as bullpen depth at some point this season.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo mentioned Sewald as a potential closer candidate Wednesday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo has yet to name a closer and said he probably won't until the regular season begins, but Sewald has the most experience of the group competing for the role. "I love where [Paul] Sewald is at," the manager said. "He's been throwing the heck out of the ball. We have other guys that have been doing the exact same thing. So, out of fairness to the group, I probably won't say anything until Opening Day." Those comments came after Sewald authored a fourth consecutive scoreless Cactus League appearance. Overall, he has allowed two runs over six innings (3.00 ERA) with zero walks and four strikeouts. Kevin Ginkel (11.81 spring ERA) and Ryan Thompson (6.14 ERA) are also among the relievers that could get save opportunities early in the regular season.

Hamilton cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Hamilton doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the demotion to Triple-A will cost him his place on Atlanta's 40-man roster. The 30-year-old righty made just two appearances in the Grapefruit League this spring, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter in 1.2 innings.

The Mets optioned Gerber to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Gerber pitched well during his brief stint in the majors last season, giving up just one earned run while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings. However, he will need to show consistent success before the Mets welcome him into their bullpen, especially after posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.46 across 43.1 frames in Triple-A last year.

The Phillies reassigned Wilson to minor-league camp Thursday.

The veteran right-hander signed with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee in December, but he was inconsistent across four Grapefruit League appearances with a 7:7 K:BB. Wilson could still receive a look as a multi-inning reliever for the Phillies at some point this season.

The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Johnson gave up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and six walks over seven Grapefruit League appearances and won't begin the season in the majors. He made 10 appearances for the Phillies last year and had a 4.26 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB across 12.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.

The right-hander closed last season in Washington's bullpen after being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in August, making three appearances during the final week of the season. Fernandez was unable to secure a place on the Opening Day roster after he surrendered five runs with a 5:3 K:BB over five innings during spring training.