MLB Player News

Reyes will pitch for Team Dominican in this year's World Baseball Classic, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The emerging prospect will join a talent-laden roster that will be looking to defend the 2013 WBC title. Reyes will join a talented pitching staff that will be spearheaded by teammate Carlos Martinez and the Giants' Johnny Cueto. After posting a 4-1 record and 1.57 ERA over 46.0 innings in 12 appearances last season, the 22-year-old right-hander is also slated to be a part of the Cardinals' starting rotation to open the 2017 campaign.

Gomez will pitch for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic next month, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Manager Pete Mackanin said last month that Gomez will get the opportunity to earn his closing gig back this spring. He collected 37 saves last season before struggling in September and losing his job. He will likely pitch in a setup role for Venezuela in the WBC.

Neris will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic next month, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances are also in the bullpen for the Dominican Republic, so it is likely Neris will be used in a setup role. He will get a chance to compete for the closing gig in Philly this spring, but he enters camp behind Jeanmar Gomez, who has the edge for the job according to comments from manager Pete Mackanin last month.

Okert will compete for a spot on the 25-man roster this spring, CSN Bay Area reports.

Okert received a cup of coffee last September, striking out 14 batters over 14 innings. With Javier Lopez retiring Wednesday, there is one spot open for a left-handed specialist on the 25-man roster. Okert figures to compete with Josh Osich (knee) for that spot. The latter has more of a major league track record, but is also coming off of minor knee surgery. How they perform this spring should ultimately decide who wins the vacant job.

Law is expected to fall in either a seventh or eighth inning role to start the season, CSN Bay Area reports.

After posting an impressive 2.13 ERA in 55 innings as a rookie, Law is ready to compete for the setup role behind new closer Mark Melancon. He will compete with Hunter Strickland, who also had a strong campaign in 2016 (3.10 ERA in 61 innings). The latter has the ability to hit triple digits on the radar gun, while the former has better secondary pitchers to compliment his mid-to-high 90s fastball. Whoever wins the job out of spring will be the best source of holds in San Francisco and should get first crack at closing games should anything happen to Melancon.

De La Rosa (elbow) underwent a second injection of stem-cell therapy this December and is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

General manager Mike Hazen says the second injection was precautionary as De La Rosa attempts to avoid a second Tommy John surgery. The tentative plan is to ease the 22-year-old back as a reliever. De La Rosa is coming off an injury-plagued 2016 season, in which he posted a 4.26 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB in 50.2 innings.

Ellington will compete for a spot in the Marlins' bullpen during spring training.

Miami added plenty of right-handed relief depth this offseason, bringing in Brad Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa, so despite the fact that Ellington posted solid numbers in the majors last year and averages 98 mph with his fastball, he could find himself back at Triple-A New Orleans to begin 2017. The 26-year-old could force his way onto the 25-man roster with a big spring, though, especially if he shows signs of improving on his career 4.5 BB/9 rate.

Barraclough is expected to set up A.J. Ramos for the Marlins in 2017.

The team did bring in Brad Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa in the offseason to bolster their bullpen depth when they failed to lure a top-shelf closer, but Barraclough and his 14.0 K/9 rate should still take on a late-inning role. His control is still a work in progress, but the 26-year-old should be a strong source of strikeouts and holds this season, and if Ramos falters he could even see some ninth-inning action.

Floro (arm) was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Floro cleared waivers Friday after being designated for assignment Wednesday. Although he's no longer on the Cubs' 40-man roster, he will report to major league spring training. Floro made 12 appearances with the Rays in 2016, notching a 4.20 ERA with a 1.87 WHIP across 15.0 innings.

Miller lost his arbitration hearing and will receive $4.7 million for the 2017 season, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Miller had been asking for $5.1 million, but the arbiter sided with the team following a season when the righty posted a 6.15 ERA in 101 MLB innings. He will compete with Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley for one of the Diamondbacks' final two rotation spots this spring.