MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Suarez to the minors Tuesday.

The Giants whittled down their rotation to five after Monday's exhibition game against the Athletics, sending down Suarez and shipping Chris Stratton to the Angels. The decision to move Stratton to another organization at least theoretically leaves Suarez as the next man up to join the rotation should an injury arise. The 26-year-old lefty was a capable starter for San Francisco during his rookie campaign, delivering a 4.49 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 160.1 innings while generating groundballs at a healthy 51.3 percent clip. He'll likely head to Triple-A Sacramento to begin 2019.

The Angels traded Jerez to the Giants on Tuesday in exchange for pitcher Chris Stratton.

Jerez boasts a mid-90s fastball from the left side and has put up some impressive strikeout rates in the minors, but control has been an issue at every stop. Adding starting pitching depth was a major priority for the Angels heading into Opening Day, so the 26-year-old reliever was deemed an expendable piece. He'll likely open the season at Triple-A Sacramento with his new organization but shouldn't have to wait long before getting a look in the big leagues.

Stephenson allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over two innings Monday against the Braves, Ben Weinrib of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson is battling for the final two bullpen spots for the Reds along with Wandy Peralta and Matt Wisler. Manager David Bell said before the game that Monday's outing wouldn't be the sole determinant of who gets the spots. "I don't think that's the best way to make a decision," Bell said before the game. "That being said, it has come down to the last day, and that's because we're trying to make the best decision we possibly can, and it's a difficult one. You never want to make a decision based on one day."

Hader threw a perfect fourth inning in the Brewers' 10-5 exhibition-game victory over the Blue Jays on Monday.

Hader made his final appearance of the spring Monday, and he finished his dominant exhibition season giving up just one earned run over 7.1 innings (1.23 ERA) while posting a 13:3 K:BB and 0.80 WHIP. Hader figures to head into the regular season as the Brewers' best option for saves with fellow All-Stars Corey Knebel (elbow) and Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) expected to land on the injured list. However, manager Craig Counsell showed last year he prefers using Hader in multiple spots and not just in save situations, so he may not be the only ninth-inning option in the absence of Knebel and Jeffress. Next in line behind Hader for saves, at least based on the bullpen usage in Monday's contest -- a game the Brewers led 6-4 entering the bottom of the seventh inning -- appears to be Taylor Williams.

Strop (hamstring) received a clean bill of health and will be available for Opening Day, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Strop suffered a right hamstring strain during camp, but he's managed to overcome the injury and will be ready for the start of the 2019 campaign. He'll be the favorite for save opportunities early in the year with Brandon Morrow (elbow) on the shelf.

Strop (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch against the Red Sox on Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Strop has been nursing a hamstring strain but is ready to return to game action. Barring any setbacks, the veteran reliever should be ready to ready to go by Opening Day. He figures to see save chances early in the season while Brandon Morrow (elbow) remains sidelined.

Anderson has secured a spot in the Miami bullpen to begin the regular season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander earned his first ticket to the big leagues after limiting opposing hitters to a .179 average over eight spring innings while striking out 10 and walking none. Anderson has consistently posted elevated strikeout rates throughout his minor-league career, but he'll need to find success in lower-leverage spots initially before the Marlins hand him any sort of meaningful role out of the bullpen.

Kinley has secured a spot in the Miami bullpen to begin the regular season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Kinley earned his way onto the Opening Day roster after striking out 12 and giving up only three runs (two earned) over 7.2 innings. Blessed with a high-90s fastball, Kinley could have some appeal as a strikeout source and ratio stabilizer if he can maintain his improved control, which had been an issue for the righty prior to this spring.

Minter (shoulder) will pitch one inning in a minor-league game Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter is set to open the season on the injured list; while his return date hasn't been set, he expects his stay to be a brief one. Barring any setbacks, Minter is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on April 4, and he shouldn't need much time to get up to speed from there. The 25-year-old southpaw Minter figures to factor into the closer picture alongside Arodys Vizcaino once healthy.

Williams is competing with Wander Suero for the last spot in the Nationals' bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Williams has been lights-out this spring, giving up only two hits over 7.2 scoreless innings with a 7:0 K:BB to keep him in the hunt for a big-league job. There's also a scenario in which the club decides to keep both him and Suero on the Opening Day roster rather than replacing Howie Kendrick (hamstring) with another position player. If he does head north with the team, Williams would work in low-leverage situations.