MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell is not planning to name a closer prior to the beginning of the regular season, and will instead use both Smith and Jeremy Jeffress in save situations depending on matchups, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It could certainly be argued that Smith has earned the closer's role with four dominant outings so far this spring, but Smith and Jeffress are clearly the Brewers' two most reliable relievers, and it appears Counsell wants to avoid locking them into specific roles so he can use both a bit more freely. With that being said, if either Smith or Jeffress separates himself once the real games begin, don't be surprised to see one of them take over the ninth-inning duties regularly.

Gott took the mound for one inning Wednesday, giving up one walk, earning a hold against the Marlins.

The 23-year-old has accumulated four innings of work over the course of spring training, allowing two hits and two earned runs in that span. However, Gott has held opposing batters to a .143 batting average and compiled a 0.75 WHIP over the course of those games. With the amount of offseason moves that occurred within the Nats' bullpen, Gott will have a decent chance to maintain a regular relief role with the team.

Wittgren was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday.

Wittgren pitched very well with the Zephyrs last season, posting a 3.03 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 62.1 innings out of the bullpen. That being said, he was shelled during his time in major league camp, so he'll head back to the minors for some more seasoning.

Garcia was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

The southpaw pitched well in his brief stint with the Marlins, but he'll head back to the minors looking to improve the 4.91 ERA and 1.52 WHIP he posted in seven starts last season with the Suns.

Hernandez (triceps) pitched one inning in a minor league game Tuesday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hernandez allowed three runs on three hits and walk while also striking out two. The results were poor, but Hernandez was happy just to be back in action. He said after that he didn't feel any of the soreness in his triceps while throwing. He expects to be ready for Opening Day and remains the favorite to close for the Phillies.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez suggested Tuesday that he could use Vizcaino in a combination of closers with Jason Grilli (Achilles) and Jim Johnson, at least initially, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "It will be probably the same situation (as last year)," Gonzalez said. "I can use all three. Mix-and-match. Absolutely."

Grilli is still a question mark for Opening Day. If Grilli's unavailable to start the year, Vizcaino and Johnson will likely split closer duties, and Gonzalez added that he could deploy some sort of committee once he has all three at his disposal. "I feel that way now," Gonzalez said, "that if the matchup comes up, say in the seventh inning there's two or three guys the scouting reports say can't hit high velocity, maybe we run Vizcaino against those guys. That might be the biggest inning."

Bard threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save against the Red Sox on Monday.

The 2006 first-round draft choice last pitched in the majors in 2013 (one inning). Bard underwent thoracic outlet syndrome in January of 2014 and is looking to find his way back to the big leagues. The 29-year-old is a longshot but could sign a minor-league deal and make a midseason return if he pitches well.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker said he has plans for Treinen to be a big part of the bullpen, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.

Baker also said that Treinen is not a starter, which comes as no surprise after the right-hander exclusively worked out of the bullpen last season. Treinen is probably headed for a middle relief role.

Hernandez (triceps) is scheduled to pitch an inning in a minor league game Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

Though he hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1, Hernandez should still have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day. He's expected to start the season as Philadelphia's closer, as none of the team's other relievers has a similarly impressive track record.

Johnson took the loss Monday when he gave up five runs (four earned) and four hits in just two innings.

Johnson has struggled his last two times out, walking three and giving up three home runs in just three innings. He's not long for the major league camp.