MLB Player News

Holmes was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Holmes stumbled to a 6.84 ERA in his 26.1-inning debut last season, walking more batters (23) than he struck out (21). He remains on the 40-man roster, so he may have a chance to improve upon those numbers at some point later in the season.

Hader threw a scoreless inning in relief in Wednesday's spring game against the Padres.

Hader struggled a bit in his previous two appearances, but he was able to right the ship Wednesday, allowing only one runner on base (via a walk) and striking out another. Hader looks ready for the regular season, allowing just five runners to reach base this spring (0.79 WHIP) and striking out 13 batters over 6.1 innings, and there's a chance he could be more involved in the save mix than expected early on with fellow relievers Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress both dealing with arm issues.

Reyes will break camp with the Cardinals in a bullpen role, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes hasn't had the smoothest spring, allowing four runs in seven innings while walking six batters. Still, he's one of the most talented pitchers in the organization. With Carlos Martinez expected to miss considerable time with a shoulder injury, the team could use another starter, but it's understandable that they'd be very cautious with Reyes' workload, as injuries have limited him to a total of 27 innings over the last two seasons. It's unclear if the plan will be to move him back to the rotation at some point later in the year.

Burdi threw a perfect inning against the Twins on Wednesday.

The Rule 5 pickup, who spent one month on Pittsburgh's roster last season, will need to stay with the team an additional two months or be offered back to Minnesota. "He's come in in a good spot. He's been competing. He's been making pitches," manager Clint Hurdle said. "The velocity's playing. The slider's come into play a little bit. He continues to give you things to think about." Burdi has posted a 1.93 ERA in 9.2 spring innings, including a 13:3 K:BB. As a result, there's a good chance he takes the last bullpen spot and pitches in middle relief to start 2019.

Chargois was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Chargois failed to secure a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen after posting a 5.40 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB through 6.2 innings this spring. The right-hander compiled a 3.34 ERA and 11.1 K/9 out of Los Angeles' bullpen in 2018, so he figures to join the big club whenever a fresh arm is needed.

Hudson is expected to break camp with the Cardinals as either a starter or a reliever, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Hudson and John Gant are batting for the Cardinals' final rotation spot, but the loser is expected to make the team in a long-relief role. Hudson would have the edge based on spring stats, as he owns a 1.72 ERA and 17:4 K:BB in 15.2 frames.

Ponce de Leon was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The move is not surprising, as Ponce de Leon had been mostly ruled out of the rotation conversation earlier in March. The 27-year-old could return at some point this season looking to build on the 2.73 ERA he recorded in his 33-inning debut last year.

Pivetta allowed three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in a five-inning start Wednesday against the Astros, striking out eight batters.

The start wasn't Pivetta's best in terms of runs allowed, but his Grapefruit League ERA still sits at a strong 3.31. The righty will make one more spring start and will then be lined up to pitch the Phillies' second game of the season March 30 against the Braves, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The fact that Pivetta will pitch ahead of Jake Arrieta in the rotation is a vote of confidence from the organization, indicating that the Phillies think the Canadian's 3.80 FIP last season is more representative of his true talent than his 4.77 ERA.

Suarez is a strong candidate to begin the year in the minors, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Suarez is competing for a back-end rotation spot, but it sounds like veteran southpaws Drew Pomeranz and Derek Holland remain ahead of the youngster. The combination of remaining minor-league options and marginal results this spring (5.11 ERA over 12.1 innings) support Pavlovic's expectation for the sophomore beginning the year with Triple-A Sacramento. The 25-year-old hasn't been sent down yet, but fantasy owners shouldn't count on getting any starts out of the lefty early in the season.

Erceg has been informed he won't break camp with the Brewers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The news is hardly a surprise, as Erceg has yet to play above Double-A and struggled there last season, hitting .248/.306/.382 in 123 games for Biloxi. It's unknown whether he'll have to repeat Double-A or will open the season with Triple-A San Antonio.