MLB Player News

Arano was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Arano had a brutal spring. Opposing hitters hit .654 against him as he allowed a whopping 20 runs in just four innings of work and finished with a 1:7 K:BB. The 24-year-old could still spend the bulk of the season in the majors if he can get back to the form which led him to a 2.57 ERA through 70 career big-league innings, but he clearly has to sort things out in the minors before returning to Philadelphia.

Bowman was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Bowman didn't allow an earned run in six spring innings and recorded a 7:1 K:BB, but that wasn't enough to earn him an Opening Day bullpen spot. He could be up in the big leagues at some point this season but won't be a particularly dangerous weapon there, given his mediocre 4.10 ERA in 149.1 major-league innings.

Scott allowed a walk and two hits in a scoreless third of an inning Saturday against San Francisco.

Scott is seeking one of the final spots in the bullpen and has put forth worthy numbers. He has a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with seven strikeouts over eight innings.

Estevez was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Estevez performed well in spring training with a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 8.1 innings, but was always facing long odds to make the roster. The 26-year-old missed the beginning of 2018 due to an oblique injury and spent the rest of the season at Albuquerque, where he struggled with a 6.35 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 28.1 innings.

Okert was designated for assignment by the Giants on Saturday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Okert seemed to have a good shot at a bullpen role but will instead be cast off the 40-man roster entirely. As a left-hander with a respectable enough 4.28 ERA in 48.1 career big-league innings, there's a decent chance he won't pass through waivers unclaimed.

Manager Mike Shildt suggested Friday that Hicks will be the Cardinals' primary closer, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "The reality is while we don't say it's Jordan, period, Jordan is going to get a lot of those opportunities. Let's not kid ourselves here," Shildt said. "The good news is we have multiple people who can do it. We've declared a couple of guys at the end who will get the majority of it. Jordan will get a lot of it. It won't be like the phone will ring and everybody will wonder what the heck is going on."

The Cardinals remain one of several teams without a designated closer, but Shildt was nice enough to provide some clarity on St. Louis' back-end situation ahead of weekend drafts. Hicks has put himself in position to be the top option for saves with a strong spring. While Hicks has issued seven free passes in six innings, he's also fanned 11 while holding opponents to a .130 average. Lefty Andrew Miller will likely see some chances based on matchups, and Alex Reyes and Carlos Martinez (shoulder) loom as threats to his role if Hicks stumbles.

The Mets reassigned Santiago to minor-league camp Saturday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The left-hander was hoping to win one of the last spots in the Mets' bullpen, but the club elected to keep Rule 5 pick Kyle Dowdy instead. Santiago is set to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

Koch gave up two runs on five hits while striking out six over five-plus innings Friday against the Dodgers.

Koch, who made 14 starts and five relief appearances in 2018, is widely expected to be part of the Diamondbacks' bullpen, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA over 17 Cactus League innings. "I've been extremely impressed by what he's done," manager Torey Lovullo said. "You walk into camp and know you're competing, you're told you have to earn the spot, and when you do things like this it really stands out." Koch is out of options, so the Diamondbacks risk losing him if they want to send him down.

Tonkin signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Friday.

It didn't take long for Tonkin to find a new home after being released by the Rangers earlier Friday. The right-hander spent last season in Japan, notching a 3.71 ERA in 51 innings for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He'll report to minor-league camp.

Guerra was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Guerra had been fighting for a bench spot, but his .136/.208/.182 line didn't help his chances. He made a 13-game big-league debut last season but still has more to prove at the Triple-A level after hitting just .223/.269/.398 for El Paso last season.