MLB Player News

The Mets announced Tuesday pitcher Rafael Montero, who was competing for a spot in the team's rotation, was reassigned to minor-league camp. Mets manager Terry Collins discussed over the weekend about keeping Montero as a reliever, but he will now open the year in the rotation at Triple-A Las Vegas, per MLB.com.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller was tagged for three runs on three hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings during Monday's spring game against the Red Sox. He failed to record a strikeout.

Miller retired the side in order and escaped the second inning without giving up a run despite issuing two walks. However, the Red Sox finally got on the board in the third inning with a two-run homer by Dustin Pedroia. The final run charged to Miller came in the fourth inning as Tyler Lyons balked home one of his inherited runners.

Miller has a 6.23 ERA through three spring starts. He's allowed a home run in each start, while striking out nine batters and issuing three walks.

Led by Brad Hand, a dark-horse candidate to make the rotation, the Marlins used four pitchers to no-hit the Yankees Saturday night in an exhibition game in Panama.

Hand struck out six over five perfect innings before Steve Cishek and A.J. Ramos combined for two walks over three scoreless innings. Arquimedes Caminero pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out Adonis Garcia swinging for the final out of the game, completing a 5-0 win. 

Before Saturday's result, the last spring training no-hitter for the Marlins came in March of 2009. 

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand continued to make a strong case for a rotation spot with another dominant outing on Saturday night against the Yankees in Panama. 

Hand struck out six over five perfect innings. He has allowed just one run over his first 12 innings of work in four appearances (three starts). He has struck out 15 and walked two over that span. 

It's hard to believe Cardinals right-hander Joe Kelly has not secured a spot in the rotation based on his 2013 numbers alone. But if he continues to perform as he did Saturday against an Atlanta team using its prime lineup, he should lock one up.

Kelly rebounded from a poor start to the spring by giving up just one earned run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. His control, with which he had been struggling, was fine. He walked none and struck out three.

The 25-year-old Kelly won 10 of 15 decisions a year ago with a 2.69 ERA.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero, who is considered a dark-horse candidate for the final spot in the team's rotation, had another strong outing Tuesday against the Cardinals. Montero pitched in relief of Jonathon Niese, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in two innings, while striking out one.

Montero has allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings this spring (1.50 ERA). He has allowed just two hits and one walk, while striking out four.

The Brewers optioned infielders Hunter Morris and Jason Rogers as well as pitchers Jimmy Nelson and Ariel Pena to Triple-A Nashville Monday, the team announced.

Morris went 2 for 16 in nine games this spring, while Rogers went 4 of 18 with three walks in nine games. Nelson surrendered two earned runs in three innings while striking out four in two appearances. Pena allowed two unearned runs in three hitless innings while striking out two and walking five.

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand is probably considered a dark-horse candidate to win a spot in the team's rotation, but he's doing his best to improve his chances. Hand delivered another strong outing Monday, leading the Marlins to an 11-1 win against the Mets.

The left-handed hurler, who was making his second spring start and third appearance, improved to 1-0 by tossing three scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and one walk, while striking out a spring-high five batters.

Hand has allowed just one run in seven innings (1.29 ERA). He has nine strikeouts and has issued just two walks.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller gave up five hits in 2 1/3 innings during his second spring start Monday against the Tigers. Miller allowed two runs and struck out four.

The game was scoreless until Miguel Cabrera began a seven-run third inning with a two-run homer off Miller, who was then lifted from the game with one out in the third. Miller has a 5.40 ERA and nine strikeouts in five innings this spring.

The Mets made several roster moves Monday, which included optioning Erik Goeddel, Steven Matz, Josh Edgin and Wilfredo Tovar to the minors. Logan Verrett, Adam Kolarek, Chasen Bradford, Dustin Lawley, Brandon Nimmo, Cory Vaughn, Danny Muno and Kevin Plawecki were also reassigned to minor-league camp.