MLB Player News

Stephenson will compete for the final spot in the Reds' rotation this spring, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

With Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey and Brandon Finnegan entering spring at full strength following injury-plagued seasons and Luis Castillo reprising his role atop the team's rotation, it appears the Reds only have one starting spot to fill this spring. Along with Stephenson, the likes of Sal Romano, Amir Garrett, Tyler Mahle, Michael Lorenzen and Jackson Stephens should also get a look during camp. The 24-year-old appears to be one of the favorites to win the role after compiling a 4.68 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 84.2 innings last season, which included a 5-2 record and 2.74 ERA across his final eight starts.

Strahm (knee) will not have any restrictions during spring training, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Strahm underwent season-ending knee surgery last July shortly before being acquired by the Padres. While he'll be fully healthy heading into spring training, the Padres will still likely manage his workload early on as he eases back into things. The 26-year-old southpaw, who posted a 5.45 ERA and 37:22 K:BB across 34.2 innings last season, should compete for one of the team's final rotation spots this spring.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Smith (elbow) is targeting May 1 as his return date, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith is reportedly being very cautious with his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and his freshly determined timetable lines him up to miss the first month of the season. While he hasn't suffered any setbacks since picking up a throwing program back in September, the Giants don't want to risk him aggravating the injury by rushing him back too quickly. Smith should slide back in as the team's top bullpen lefty when he's finally healthy.

Melancon (forearm) is doing well and is not restricted entering spring training, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Melancon underwent pronator surgery back in September, but the procedure isn't expected to have any effect on his status for 2018. The veteran struggled with injury and underperformance last season, putting up a 4.50 ERA and throwing just 30 innings. If healthy, Melancon could return to something close to his form from 2013 to 2016, when he put up an ERA of 2.23 or below in each season and saved 147 games.

Smith (elbow) is reportedly being very cautious with his rehab and may not be ready for Opening Day, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The southpaw resumed throwing back in September and hasn't experienced any setbacks in his rehab. However, the Giants don't want to rush him back too quickly and aggravate his injury, so although there doesn't seem to be any issue, it may put his availability for Opening Day in jeopardy. Taking things a bit slower would probably delay his return by just a week or two at most. A firmer timetable will likely emerge as spring training progresses.

Smith has received an invitation to the Mets's big-league camp, Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com reports.

Smith was a part of the trade that sent Lucas Duda to the Rays, and he spent the rest of season at Double-A Binghamton after coming to the Mets. He tossed 15.0 innings and gave up just three earned runs at Double-A, and figures to begin with the 2018 campaign with the Rumble Ponies.

Reyes (elbow) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Monday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals are being cautious with Reyes, but he's gradually increased his level of activity over the past few weeks. To this point, his bullpen sessions have consisted of only fastballs. In addition to rebuilding his elbow's strength after undergoing Tommy John surgery last February, Reyes lost 15 pounds while rehabbing to benefit his endurance on the mound. Although his tentative return date is May 1, a more exact timeframe should become more clear over spring training.

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill and manager Don Mattingly mentioned Garcia as a candidate for the rotation during the upcoming season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Based on the comments from the team's brass during Saturday's Marlins Fanfest, it seems only Dan Straily and Jose Urena are guaranteed starting roles heading into 2018. A healthy Wei-Yin Chen would also seem to have an edge on a rotation spot, with the Marlins planning to give a number of younger, less established arms the opportunity to round out the starting ranks. Though he proved to be one of the more dependable setup men for the Marlins as a rookie in 2017, Garcia only managed a 7.1 K/9 rate, which limits his long-term upside in the bullpen compared to some of the other power relievers the team has in the fold. Prior to being converted to relief duty last season, Garcia had been developed as a starter, but his meager minor-league numbers and lack of starting experience above the Double-A level make him a long shot to win a rotation spot with the Marlins.

Jackson has been invited to Atlanta's spring training.

After being designated for assignment in December, Jackson will attend spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 26-year-old right hander accrued an ERA of 5.50 across 50.2 innings for the Braves in 2017, and has struggled in the big leagues throughout his career -- he owns a career ERA of 5.64. Unless Jackson has a stellar spring training, he's likely a long shot to make the major-league team for Opening Day.

Boxberger will compete with Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano for the D-backs' closer role this spring, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Acquired from the Rays in November, Boxberger offers past experience as a closer, and his struggles with injury in each of the last two seasons may lead the D-backs to limit him mostly to three-out appearances. It's not unreasonable to think that Boxberger might be the early favorite to take on the job, as using him as the closer gives manager Torey Lovullo more flexibility with Archie Bradley, who can be tasked with multiple innings as needed. Nevertheless, it's expected that the D-backs will make their plans for the ninth inning known at some point near the end of spring training.