MLB Player News

Thompson, who logged a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, has yet to allow a run this spring.

Thompson has only tossed three innings across three Cactus League appearances, so it's a small sample size, but he's looked good so far. After making 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, the righty worked entirely in relief last season, and he struggled with a 4.71 ERA across 28.2 innings. Now that Thompson has settled in a bit more as a reliever, he'll look for better results in 2024, though it likely will be in a lower-leverage role.

Cuas allowed a run on three hits in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, pushing his spring ERA to 1.50.

Cuas came into the game having logged five straight scoreless appearances this spring, and he's struck out eight batters in six innings overall. The righty is trying to build on an effective 2023 campaign, when he posted a 3.99 ERA and struck out 71 across 65.1 total innings with the Cubs and Royals. Cuas will likely work in middle relief, however, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Matsui (back) will pitch in the Padres' Cactus League finale against the A's on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Back tightness cost Matsui several weeks of his first major-league spring training after he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December. However, the lefty made it through an intrasquad game over the weekend and his imminent return to exhibition play bodes well for his chances of making the trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the Dodgers. Matsui was a top closer in Japan and could eventually find his way into the ninth inning, though MLB.com is projecting him to to open the season as one of the team's primary setup men.

Martin (lat) allowed one hit and struck one over one scoreless inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Martin pitched in a game for the first time since last spring. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a tear in the lat tendon of his right shoulder. The right-hander may not have enough time to be ready for the start of the season, but Martin's performance Tuesday suggests he'll get an opportunity to contribute for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2024.

The Nationals optioned Brzykcy (elbow) to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Brzykcy will head back to the minors after surrendering nine runs across 18 innings during spring training while striking out 18 batters and walking nine. The 24-year-old righty was dominant in Double-A in 2022 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 38 frames and didn't allow a run in two Triple-A appearances upon being promoted at the end of the year. However, a forearm strain cost him the entire 2023 campaign, and Brzykcy underwent Tommy John surgery in June to address the issue. If Brzykcy is able to return to his 2022 form at Rochester once he fully recovers from his procedure, he could be a candidate to join Washington's bullpen at some point this season.

The Pirates optioned Selby to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Selby was roughed up for five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings this spring. The 26-year-old reliever should spend some time in the Pirates' bullpen this season but will open the year at Indianapolis.

Small has allowed one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings across two Cactus League games.

Small isn't getting a particularly long look so far, which doesn't bode well for him making the major-league bullpen. Small worked as a starter in the minors up until last season. He has 10.1 major-league innings under his belt with the Brewers, but he's yet to display much success in the majors. The southpaw would likely end up in a low-leverage role if he happens to break camp with the Giants.

The Rockies optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Hollowell made 26 relief appearances for the Rockies last season and had a 5.88 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB across 33.2 innings. The 26-year-old struggled during spring training with seven runs allowed, including three homers, across 4.2 innings.

The Rockies optioned Pint to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Patrick Lyons of Just Baseball reports.

Pint gets the boot even after tossing six scoreless innings this spring, though that did come with a 5:4 K:BB. The hard-throwing right-hander has major control issues but the swing-and-miss stuff to be a late-inning reliever if he can just get the walks to a passable level.

Diaz topped out at 98 mph with his fastball while striking out the side in a perfect fifth inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Seeing his first game action in almost exactly a year after he blew out his knee in the WBC last March, Diaz fanned Jesus Sanchez, Avisail Garcia and Jon Berti and showed no rust at all in his return to the mound. The right-hander fired nine of 14 pitches for strikes, and he's on track to resume the closing duties that saw him record exactly 32 saves in 2021 and 2022 for the Mets.