MLB Player News

Peralta threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring training game against the Dodgers, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.

In four big league outings this spring, Peralta hasn't allowed a run over four innings, striking out three while giving up three hits and a walk. He's a likely bet to make the Reds' Opening Day roster in the bullpen as one of their top two lefties.

Manager Joe Maddon wouldn't commit to using Edwards as the Cubs' closer if Brandon Morrow (elbow) and Pedro Strop (hamstring) are both unavailable to begin the season, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. "[Edwards] is so good at maybe shutting something down in the seventh or eighth [inning], I would not run away from that," Maddon said of Edwards' potential future as a closer.

Morrow is already a safe bet to open the season on the injured list, but Strop's status is more in limbo since he's at least been able to throw off flat ground lately and could clear up any concern about his health by pitching in a Cactus League game or two before spring training closes. In the event Strops fails to progress as hoped, Edwards said he would be ready to fill the ninth-inning role if needed, but Maddon's comments suggest the Cubs could look elsewhere in save situations. With a 15.2 percent career swinging-strike rate, Edwards has often been dominant at times during his four season in the big leagues, but his occasional control problems may prompt Maddon to instead turn to Steve Cishek for save opportunities. Cishek typically works in the low-90s and doesn't overpower hitters like Edwards, but his ability to limit free passes and generate groundballs at a decent clip might make him a less volatile endgame option.

Almonte was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Almonte, who recently transitioned to being a full-time reliever, will serve as organizational bullpen depth in 2019.

Bowman (lat) is listed among the Reds' pitchers scheduled to take the hill in Thursday's "B" game versus the Indians, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Bowman has yet to make his Cactus League debut while dealing with a lat strain, but that could come within the next few days if he escapes Thursday's appearance no worse for the wear. The righty won't require many outings to build up his arm for the start of the regular season, but the time he has already missed during camp might have nonetheless hindered his chances of winning an Opening Day bullpen job.

Stephenson (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Thursday in a "B" game versus the Indians, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

It's the first game action of any kind for Stephenson, who has eased along slowly this spring after reporting to camp with an inflamed right shoulder. The shoulder issue may have damaged Stephenson's chances of breaking camp with the big club, but if he experiences no setbacks Thursday and in any Cactus League appearances that might follow, he may not need much rehab time at Triple-A Louisville before joining the Cincinnati bullpen.

Hudson threw 69 pitches over three innings in his latest Grapefruit League start against the Marlins on Wednesday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Hudson got 44 of those offerings into the strike zone and limited damage, allowing just an earned run on two hits and three walks while recording three strikeouts. The trio of free passes were the first Hudson has issued this spring as he continues to battle for the Cardinals' one open rotation spot. Hudson's primary competition for the job is John Gant, who's slated to pitch in an intrasquad game Thursday morning after appearing in relief Tuesday.

Andriese allowed four runs on five hits while striking out six over 4.1 innings Wednesday against the Rockies.

Andriese got batted around a bit, but had swing-and-miss stuff. He threw 39 of 59 pitches for strikes. The right-hander is being stretched out this spring, throwing 11.2 innings over four appearances (two starts, two relief), and is expected to be a swingman/long reliever in 2019.

Strop (hamstring) estimated his chances at being ready for Opening Day at 99.99 percent Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

An MRI on Monday revealed a mild right hamstring strain. He'll take a break from throwing off a mound but won't be shut down completely. If his optimism turns out to be unfounded, Carl Edwards and Steve Cishek will battle for closing duties, with Brandon Morrow (elbow) out for all of April.

The Nationals optioned Adams to Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

Adams has logged just six innings at the big-league level the past two seasons and looks to be on the periphery of the Nationals' 40-man roster. He'll likely spend most of the upcoming campaign in Fresno's bullpen.

Rusin hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since March 1 due to back pain, but he is hopeful that he will be ready for the start of the season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He will throw a side session Wednesday, and as a reliever, he doesn't need to make more than a few appearances to get ready for the start of the season. Consider Rusin questionable for Opening Day.