MLB Player News

Updating a previous report, Ponce de Leon technically remains in the mix for the final rotation spot despite sporting a 7.71 ERA across 11.2 spring innings, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Ponce de Leon endured a rocky outing against the Astros on Friday, allowing three earned runs across four innings. However, manager Mike Shildt confirmed Saturday that Ponce de Leon will make his next scheduled spring start, giving him one final chance to make his case for a job that still appears likely to go to either Dakota Hudson or John Gant. Shildt is hoping that Ponce de Leon's next appearance will result in a much more even performance than the one the 27-year-old put together against Houston. "It was a long inning, short inning, longer inning, shorter inning," Shildt said. "We want to get more shorter innings, more consistency controlling counts. His stuff's more than fine, obviously."

Nelson (shoulder) struck out four and gave up one unearned run on two hits across three innings during Saturday's spring game against the Rockies.

Nelson made his spring debut with one inning Monday but looked significantly better during his second outing. The Brewers already announced the 29-year-old won't be present on the Opening Day roster after he missed the entire 2018 season, but extending to three innings is nonetheless a significant step towards his return. Nelson has no specified timeline for his return but should continue to ramp up his workload as spring training reaches it's closing stages.

Arano faced six batters Saturday against Houston and did not retire a single one, walking one and allowing five hits and six runs.

Arano's terrible spring continues, and his ERA now sits at 51.00 in three innings of work. It's normally wise to not put too much stake in spring stats, but Arano's could be ugly enough to matter, especially given that he has options remaining.

Pierpont was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday.

The 28-year-old has been stuck at the Double-A level for three straight years but has produced excellent numbers there, with ERAs of 2.94, 2.02 and 1.95. He allowed one run in five innings while posting a 4:0 K:BB during his time with the big-league club this spring.

Stephenson (shoulder) threw 11 of 15 pitches for strikes in a "B" game Friday against the Indians. Afterward manager David Bell called the outing a great sign, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson still has a long way to go to ramp up for the regular season. He's out of options, so if he's not ready to go he'll either have to go on the injured list or clear waivers before Opening Day.

Strop (hamstring) could get into a game before the end of spring training, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Strop said earlier in the week that he expects to be back by Opening Day, and it appears that the Cubs share his optimism. If he ends up behind schedule, Carl Edwards and Steve Cishek line up as the top remaining options for saves.

The Cubs reassigned Kontos to their minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Though he was attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, Kontos looked like he would have a realistic shot at winning a bullpen role with the big club at the outset of camp after reportedly increasing his fastball velocity while working out at the Driveline Baseball facility in Chicago during the offseason. Any improvement in the quality of Kontos' arsenal wasn't apparent in his spring stats, as he surrendered five runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings during Cactus League play.

The Cubs reassigned Zagurski to their minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

After a four-year hiatus, Zagurski resurfaced in the big leagues last season for the first time since 2013. He was lit up in two relief appearances for Milwaukee but fared better with the organization's Triple-A affiliate at Colorado Springs, logging a 3.20 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 45 innings. Zagurski will likely open 2019 with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa.

The Cubs optioned Underwood to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Underwood was one of three pitchers optioned to the minors and 15 players dismissed from big-league camp as the Cubs pared down their spring roster with Opening Day less than two weeks away. The 2012 second-round pick received his first cup of coffee with the Cubs last season, tossing four innings of one-run ball in a June 26 spot start. He'll likely fill a spot in the Iowa rotation.

Biddle gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over two innings while striking out three in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

It's worth noting that the southpaw entered the game in the eighth inning, long after Miami's starters had left the game. Even with A.J. Minter (shoulder) on the shelf and potentially requiring a stint on the injured list to begin the season, Biddle isn't guaranteed a spot in the Braves' bullpen -- veteran lefty Jonny Venters seems like a lock after re-signing with the club in November, and Biddle has been outpitched by Sam Freeman in camp. That said, Biddle had better numbers in 2018, and his 6:3 K:BB through 7.2 innings this spring is hardly a disaster. Whether he winds up on the 25-man roster could come down to how much length Atlanta wants in its bullpen to bolster a rotation already beset by injuries.