MLB Player News

Puk walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's split-squad game against the Angels.

Arizona had its top two closer candidates working in separate split-squad games Monday. Both Puk and Justin Martinez worked scoreless innings, and both have pitched worthy of being the team's primary closer to start the regular season. Puk owns a 1.50 ERA with three walks and nine strikeouts over six Cactus League innings. Martinez has the same number of walks and strikeouts over the same number of frames, but a 4.50 ERA thanks to one bad outing. Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA) could also factor into the closing decision. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

Martinez struck out two over one inning in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Other than one ugly outing, Martinez has had a strong spring. One of the final questions remaining for the team in spring training is who will be the Diamondbacks' primary closer. Martinez has allowed three runs (all in one outing) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over six Cactus League innings. His primary competition for the job is A.J. Puk (1.50 ERA, six innings), with Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA, 5.1 innings) also in consideration.

The Dodgers selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Garcia will be available out of the bullpen as his club will take on the Cubs in Tokyo during a two-game series set for March 18-19. He got off to a rocky start to the spring by surrendering three runs during his first appearance, but he finished camp by firing 4.1 scoreless frames, ultimately earning a spot on the 26-man roster.

The Cubs placed Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad won't be included on the Cubs' season-opening 28-man roster after he sustained a mild left oblique strain suffered early on in camp, taking him out of the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The right-hander has been throwing in camp, so he could be ready to make his 2025 debut in early April.

Hurt (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The only update the team has provided thus far is that Hurt was cleared to play catch March 2, so it's unknown as to how close he is to a return after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2024. Given the timing of his surgery, Hurt could return in the second half of 2025, especially if the Dodgers opt to bring him back as a reliever rather than stretch him out as a starter.

Phillips (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Phillips isn't expected to be ready for a return from a right shoulder injury until the first or second week of April, and the team has decided a stint on the injured list is in the team's best interest to begin the 2025 regular season. A timetable for his return should come into focus as he gains clearance to face live hitters

Graterol (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Graterol has yet to begin throwing after undergoing surgery in November to repair his right labrum and a right shoulder ligament, so this move is simply procedural. A timetable for his return has yet to be established.

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia was in the mix for a back-end bullpen spot to begin the season, but he'll instead head back to Iowa, where he spent most of the 2024 campaign. The righty ultimately appeared in 10 games for the Cubs last season and will serve as organizational depth once again in 2025.

Rogers has allowed just one run with a 10:4 K:BB over seven innings during his first seven Cactus League outings this spring.

Alexis Diaz has made just three appearances this spring due to injury and was roughed up his last time out. The Reds will have him pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday as he works on his issues. With Diaz's status looking shaky, Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and perhaps others could have an opportunity to stake claim on the Cincinnati closer job. Rogers has the most ninth-inning experience of the bunch and performed well last season with the Giants, posting a 2.40 ERA and 64:22 K:BB over 60 innings.

Diaz will pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was shelled for five runs on three hits and three walks while recording just one out in his last Cactus League appearance Saturday. Reds manager Terry Francona had a less than favorable review of Diaz's outing afterward, saying the reliever has "got to lock it in here," per Sheldon. It appears the team has determined the best spot for Diaz to attempt to get back on track, at least initially, is in a less pressurized situation. Diaz has made only three appearances this spring due to a hamstring issue and he also developed a cut on his right thumb during Saturday's appearance, although Francona contended that the thumb issue had nothing to do with Diaz's struggles in the outing. The 28-year-old entered camp as the clear favorite to serve as the Reds' closer, but his grip on the job might be tenuous. Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow loom as closer alternatives if Francona wants to go in another direction, with Rogers perhaps the favorite of the bunch.