MLB Player News

Estrada has pitched 4.2 innings during the Cactus League slate, allowing one run on two hits while posting a 6:1 K:BB.

Estrada broke through last season with a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 16 holds and a 37.3 percent strikeout rate over 61 regular-season innings during his first season in San Diego. He's primed for a high-leverage role during the coming campaign and will likely open the season helping to set up closer Robert Suarez. Though Suarez has had a rough spring, allowing eight runs over 3.2 frames, he's probably earned a long enough leash to keep hold of the ninth-inning role come Opening Day. However, should Suarez's struggles carry over into the regular season, Estrada would be among the top options to take over in save situations.

The Cardinals reassigned Gomez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Gomez signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals in November and is likely to spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Memphis. The 28-year-old righty was a member of the Rays organization in 2024 and turned in a 5.01 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 55.2 innings at Triple-A Durham.

Bednar is presumed to begin the season the Pirates' closer, but manager Derek Shelton elected not to officially name the team's closer Sunday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's the second time during spring training that Shelton has made clear a decision at closer has yet to be made, though the skipper also indicated Sunday that he's happy with how Bednar has look during spring training, despite a 14.40 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over five innings. After two consecutive All-Star seasons in 2022 and 2023, the right-hander struggled to a 5.77 ERA in 62 appearances last year and was removed from the closer role down the stretch.

The Reds assigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday.

Young signed a minor-league contract with the Reds in January after being non-tendered by the Mets in late November. He gave up six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five across three innings in spring training, and the 31-year-old southpaw will look to regain his form in the minors, likely with Triple-A Louisville.

Atlanta reassigned Farmer to minor-league camp Sunday.

The right-hander joined the club as a non-roster invitee in February and appeared to have a good chance of making the Opening Day roster, but his four runs allowed and 8:4 K:BB over 5.2 spring innings apparently weren't good enough. Assuming Farmer doesn't receive big-league interest from another organization, he'll likely begin the campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta assigned Diekman to minor-league camp Sunday.

Diekman signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in February after appearing in 43 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He opened spring training with five scoreless outings but gave up four earned runs over his last two appearances. The 38-year-old southpaw will likely be dispatched to Triple-A Gwinnett but could see major-league action at some point in 2025.

The Rockies optioned Gilbreath to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2023, Gilbreath didn't make his 2024 season debut until last August. He then underwent neurogenic thoracic surgery near his left neck/shoulder in the offseason, which limited him to one outing in spring training. The southpaw will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but he should be in the mix for a promotion when the Rockies need bullpen depth.

Diaz allowed five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over a third of an inning in Saturday's Cactus League game against Kansas City.

Diaz, who was delayed getting into Cactus League games after dealing with a hamstring issue early in camp, struggled during his third spring appearance. "It's his third outing. Certainly, we've got to lock it in here. We've got about another week," Reds manager Terry Francona said about Cincinnati's closer to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. At some point during the outing, Francona and a team trainer visited the mound because the right-hander's thumb was bleeding. Diaz remained in the game and walked the next batter before being removed. Francona said the cut on his thumb, which was exacerbated by the pitcher's thumbnail, had nothing to do with Diaz's troubles.

The Reds reassigned Shaw to minor-league camp on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Shaw signed an NRI deal with the Reds in December after appearing in five games for the White Sox during the 2024 regular season, during which he allowed four earned runs across four frames. He logged a 4.05 ERA in spring training, but he allowed eight walks while striking out seven and will begin the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, though he could return to the majors if the Reds need to bolster their bullpen.

Vasquez may be one of two finalists for San Diego's fifth-starter role, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

For most of spring training, Vasquez, Matt Waldron, Kyle Hart and Stephen Kolek have been battling for the job as the Padres' fifth starter. However, Waldron is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day due to a recent oblique injury, and Hart may not be built up in time for the start of the regular season after having his progression temporarily paused due to the flu. That may leave Vasquez and Kolek as the final two candidates for the team's final rotation spot. Vasquez has a clear edge in terms of starting experience after starting in all 20 of his outings with the Padres last season, while Kolek came out of the bullpen for all 42 of his appearances. Vasquez also impressed with five scoreless frames in a Triple-A start Friday, but Kolek has opened eyes this spring by allowing just one run over nine frames and averaging a mere 12 pitches per inning.