MLB Player News

The Rockies reassigned Curtiss to minor-league camp Sunday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Curtiss joined the Rockies on a minor-league deal in late January after his 2023 campaign with the Mets came to an early end in August, when he required an arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body from his right elbow. Though he received a clean bill of health heading into spring training, Curtiss submitted a 9.82 ERA and 2.05 WHIP over 7.1 innings in Cactus League play to effectively remove himself from consideration for a spot in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen.

Strahm signed a one-year extension with the Phillies on Sunday that includes a club option or vesting option for the 2026 season.

Strahm is entering the second season of the two-year, $15 million deal he signed with Philadelphia in December 2022, but he won't reach free agency next offseason after he and the Phillies agreed to tack on another year to his deal. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Strahm will earn $7.5 million in 2025 as part of the extension, while the option for 2026 vests for $7.5 million if he covers at least 60 innings in 2025. After making nine of his first 18 appearances as a starter last season, the 32-year-old transitioned into a full-time relief role in mid-June and posted a 2.53 ERA and 52:8 K:BB over his final 42.2 innings. He'll be trusted to serve as a high-leverage, multi-inning arm out of the Philadelphia bullpen once again during the upcoming season.

The Nationals placed Ferrer (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The 24-year-old has been shut down from throwing since March 15 due to a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder, and he'll be sidelined for at least the first two months of the season. Ferrer is nearly halfway through his initial three-week shutdown, so he could resume throwing in early April if his shoulder checks out fine.

The Phillies reassigned Bellatti to minor-league camp Sunday.

After being outrighted off the 40-man roster in February, Bellatti attended spring training as a non-roster invitee but wasn't able to secure a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen. He made 27 appearances at the big-league level for Philadelphia in 2023, logging a 5.11 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 24.2 frames.

The Phillies reassigned Ruiz to minor-league camp Sunday.

The right-hander, who was attending camp with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee, fell short of winning a spot in the Opening Day bullpen despite striking out eight and allowing just one run over 10 innings in Grapefruit League play. Ruiz previously spent time at the big-league level with the White Sox and Diamondbacks in 2023, logging a 5.89 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB across 44.1 innings.

The Nationals placed Thompson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in early March, so his move to the 60-day IL was an eventuality. Thompson will miss the entire 2024 campaign and is also likely to be out for the first couple months of 2025.

Holderman (illness) said Sunday that he expects to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Holderman was able to throw a bullpen session Saturday and seems to be coming out on the other side of his prolonged battle with a viral ailment, but since he lost 15 pounds while recovering from the illness and also required a hospital stay, the Pirates won't try to rush him back for the start of the season. Assuming Holderman is able to steadily regain conditioning and advance through his throwing program while the illness fades further in the rear-view mirror, he should be ready to join the Pittsburgh bullpen when first eligible to return from the IL in the second week of April.

Montas allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

Montas appeared to have righted himself the last two times out following a couple of shaky outings, finishing the Cactus League on a high note. He next prepares for Thursday's Opening Day start at home against Washington. He talked to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer about getting his repertoire in shape. "Being able to use my four-seam and two seam, not just being able to use it but also getting good results," the right-hander said. "My slider is there. My cutter is there. I threw some really good splitters today." Montas finished the spring with a 5.94 ERA, 16 strikeouts, five walks and five home runs allowed over five starts.

Sewald threw a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

It wasn't a save situation, but manager Torey Lovullo gave Sewald a taste of the closer's role by having him enter the ninth inning. He has not allowed a run in six spring outings and appears ready for the regular season. The Diamondbacks have one more Cactus League game Sunday followed by a pair of exhibition matchups Monday and Tuesday, so Sewald could get one more outing before Thursday's Opening Day against Colorado.

The Nationals reassigned Barnes to minor-league camp Saturday.

Barnes pitched well this spring but still wasn't able to crack the Opening Day bullpen. It's not clear whether he plans to opt out of his contract or report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the season.