MLB Player News

Blach entered Wednesday's spring training game as a reliever, surrendering four runs on five hits in his two innings of work.

Blach -- who is competing for the Giants' fifth starter spot -- has taken a step back in his last two outings, surrendering six runs and watching his Cactus League ERA rise to 5.56 in 11.1 innings. Matt Cain was considered the favorite to win the job out of camp, and that stance hasn't changed. Even with both pitchers struggling this spring, Blach's primary usage as a reliever tells us how the Giants view his role heading into the season. The lefty still has a good shot to make the Opening Day roster, but it would likely be in a long-relief role.

Ottavino may open the year as the setup man, with Greg Holland potentially opening the year as the closer, the Denver Post's Nick Groke reports.

Groke referred to Holland as "the man to whom the Rockies will probably pin closer status next month," and while there has been no official word from the team or quotes to support this notion, the Rockies beat writer is as plugged in as anyone, so his opinion on the matter carries a lot of weight. Ottavino was dominant last season, but he has just 11 career saves compared to Holland's 145, so inexperience may be working against him here. He is still worth rostering in most deeper formats, given the fact that Holland is coming back from Tommy John surgery and nothing has been officially announced regarding who will close, but he needs to be downgraded significantly following Groke's take on the matter.

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The right-hander was touched up for five runs in his only big-league appearance last year, which lasted two-thirds of an inning for the Mets. The 24-year-old put together a fine stretch with Double-Mississippi, though, boasting a 2.27 ERA in 25 appearances, with 50 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. If Morris can work on his control (21 walks in that time), perhaps a bullpen role with Atlanta awaits.

Sims was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The right-hander has lost his once promising prospect stock, having put together ERAs no lower than 4.20 over his last three combined minor league seasons. At this point the 22-year-old is looking more likely to relieve than start for the Braves, but his fastball/curveball combo could be devastating out of the bullpen if he can display even fringe average command.

Coleman (biceps tendinitis) threw a scoreless inning Tuesday in his spring debut against the Dodgers. He still has a chance to win a spot in the Reds' bullpen, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Coleman still has an uphill battle, but the bottom of the Reds' bullpen remains in flux, and that will probably be the case even after Opening Day.

Nelson has thrown four scoreless innings over two appearances with the Brewers this spring.

The spring schedule has limited Nelson to just two official outings, but he has thrown the ball when called upon, allowing just two hits and no earned runs over four innings while posting a 6:0 K:BB and throwing all 27 of his pitches for strikes. Nelson is not a lock to open the season in the Brewers' rotation thanks to his struggles later last year and a multitude of other options in camp, but if he avoids any major struggles over the rest of the spring season he figures to come away with one of the three remaining open spots.

Jansen says he will join the Netherlands for the Championship Round of the World Baseball Classic, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Jansen had stated earlier that he wouldn't participate due to workload concerns, but it appears he's seizing upon the chance to show his stuff on the championship stage. The Netherlands advanced with a 14-1 win over Cuba on Tuesday and its semifinal game is set for next Monday at Dodger Stadium. Jansen is off to a rough start this spring (10.12 ERA over 2.2 innings), but should get a chance to test his stuff on the international level as he prepares to build off his 47-save campaign in 2016.

Fields has seen his velocity dip to the 91-92 mph range after averaging 94.7 mph last season, the Los Angeles Times' Andy McCullough reports.

Manager Dave Roberts believes the lack of velocity could be the reason the veteran reliever has surrendered nine earned runs in four Cactus League innings. There is no report of an injury or a case of Fields experiencing a dead arm. It is still early in the spring campaign, so there is time for the 31-year-old to figure out his power issues. If he doesn't, Fields' roster spot could be in jeopardy, considering he relies on his fastball (64 percent) as his primary weapon on the mound.

Adleman gave up five runs in 3.1 innings of work Tuesday, allowing five hits and two walks while also striking out two.

Adleman struggled in his return after being struck by a batted ball, and it now marks the second consecutive outing where he has conceded at least five runs. With DeSclafani on the DL to start the season, Adleman is in the heart of a rotation race in Cincinnati that likely won't be resolved until the final days of spring. The 29-year-old has now allowed 12 runs across 9.2 innings (11.74 ERA) in five games this spring, a trend he'll have to quickly reverse if he wants to claim one of the final rotation spots.

Snow has pitched 2.1 scoreless innings so far this spring, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out two.

The 28-year-old was held out of early spring games with a back/hip issue, but it seems he is back to normal now that he has three game appearances under his belt. He's spent his career in the minors, and posted a combined 2.83 ERA in 54 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Snow is competing for a spot in the Brewers bullpen, but he'll likely find himself back in the minors to start the season.