MLB Player News
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Alan Rangel RP | PHI
Phillies' Alan Rangel: Optioned to Triple-A
The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Rangel made two appearances for the Phillies in spring training and allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two across three innings. He'll begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but the 27-year-old reliever could see some time in the majors at some point this season if the Phillies need to bolster their bullpen.
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Derek Law RP | ARI
Nationals' Derek Law: Taking aim at workload record
Law has made it his goal to break the Nationals' franchise record for innings pitched in a season by a reliever, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 34-year-old right-hander handled 90 innings last season, the most by a Washington reliever in the regular season since Tyler Clippard in 2010 and just three frames shy of Saul Rivera's record, set in 2007. As a result of that elevated workload, Law has been brought along slowly in camp and pitched to batters for the first time Monday on a back field, tossing 30 pitches. There's still time for him to get in Grapefruit League action before Opening Day as he prepares for work as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan -- in addition to his 90 innings in 2024 being a career high, Law's 17 holds were also a personal best.
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Jose Castillo RP | NYM
Diamondbacks' Jose Castillo: Ready for mound work
Castillo (adductor) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Castillo exited his first Cactus League appearance Feb. 22 with left adductor tightness and hasn't pitched since. He's ready to ramp up his throwing again but it's not clear when he might be available to pitch in a game. Castillo is in camp as a non-roster invitee, and the injury likely eliminated any chance he had to make the Opening Day roster.
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Kendall Graveman RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kendall Graveman: Slated for live batting practice
Graveman (back) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Graveman was cleared to face hitters after throwing a 22-pitch bullpen session over the weekend. The veteran reliever is on the mend from a back injury and would appear close to making his Cactus League debut if he continues to progress. It's not yet clear whether he'll have time to be ready for Opening Day.
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Nick Pivetta RP | SD
Padres' Nick Pivetta: Sharp again in second spring start
Pivetta tossed three scoreless innings in a Cactus League game against San Francisco on Sunday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out three batters.
Pivetta breezed through his second appearance this spring, giving up just one hit (a double by Willy Adames). The veteran righty has been impressive in his first two Cactus League starts, hurling 5.2 scoreless frames while posting a 7:2 K:BB. Pivetta is penciled in as the Padres' fourth starter after signing with the organization on four-year deal in mid-February.
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Grant Wolfram RP | BAL
Brewers' Grant Wolfram: Bumped from majors camp
The Brewers optioned Wolfram to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Wolfram got a major-league contract from the Brewers this offseason even though he's never spent time in the big leagues, but he didn't look like a major leaguer this spring in yielding five runs (four earned) on seven hits and five walks over five innings. The lefty reliever will try to impress at Nashville to earn a look by the big club later on.
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Grant Anderson RP | MIL
Brewers' Grant Anderson: Optioned to Triple-A
The Brewers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers acquired Anderson via trade from the Rangers in January before watching him struggle this spring, allowing five runs over 3.2 innings of work. Anderson will head to Nashville for now but should get a shot in Milwaukee's bullpen eventually.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Reds' Alexis Diaz: Makes spring debut
Diaz (hamstring) allowed one hit and one walk over a scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.
Diaz made his Cactus League debut, entering in the fifth inning after starter Graham Ashcraft worked the first four frames. Diaz was held out of early spring games as a precaution after he felt something in his hamstring during pitcher fielding drills. The Reds' closer is confident he'll be ready for Opening Day.
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Matt Strahm RP | KC
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Uncertain for Opening Day
Strahm will be shut down until at least Thursday and is uncertain for Opening Day due to an impingement in his left shoulder that's caused inflammation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The good news is an MRI on Strahm's shoulder came back negative. He will be re-examined Thursday by the Phillies team doctor, at which point it will be determined whether he's able to resume a throwing program. The Phillies should have a good idea at that time whether Strahm will have a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The southpaw was one of the best relievers in baseball last season, collecting a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 79:11 K:BB over 62.2 regular-season frames.