MLB Player News

Fernandez has allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in Grapefruit League play.

Fernandez was acquired by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He will need to be on the major-league roster for all of the 2024 campaign -- if not, he must be offered back to the Red Sox. Given his work in spring, the Cardinals may be able to find a role for the 25-year-old right-hander. There are still a lot of options for middle-relief roles, but Fernandez's good first impression may help him stick with St. Louis.

Ginkel (elbow) gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Ginkel served up a solo home run to Mike Tauchman but otherwise escaped the fourth inning unscathed in his first action of spring training. Arizona had eased Ginkel into its spring pitching schedule after he reported elbow soreness early in camp, but as a reliever who typically works only one inning per appearance, he won't require much ramp-up time ahead of Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was one of seven players sent packing Sunday as Arizona reduced its group at major-league camp to 46 men. The team's decision to cut Martinez comes as little surprise after he struggled mightily in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2023, when he posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 10 innings out of the Arizona bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Treinen has a bruised lung but was cleared of any fractures to his ribs after undergoing X-rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen sustained the injury Saturday when he took a comebacker off his chest in his Cactus League appearance against the Rangers. Roberts said Sunday that Treinen's bruised lung isn't as serious as it sounds, and the Dodgers are still preparing for the veteran reliever to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If Treinen checks out fine following the side session, he could be available for the Dodgers' season-opening series in South Korea versus the Padres on March 20 and 21.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Brewers at the deadline last summer but made just one big-league appearance after the trade. Strzelecki had a decent 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 37 frames in the majors, but he struggled at Triple-A Reno with 12 earned runs allowed in 13 outings.

Pagan (sports hernia) struck out two over a perfect inning of relief Saturday in the Reds' 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks in Cactus League play.

The Reds had slow played Pagan's integration into the spring pitching schedule while he needed extra time to complete his recovery from offseason sports hernia surgery, but the veteran reliever looked sharp in his Cactus League debut Saturday. Assuming he comes out of spring training unscathed following his subsequent appearances, Pagan should serve as one of the top setup arms in front of closer Alexis Diaz during the upcoming season.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that Simpson is dealing with left elbow discomfort that's similar to nerve irritation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Simpson hasn't pitched since Feb. 27, and Schumaker said the club is being cautious since the left-hander "still feels it a little bit." Given the length of the layoff, the 26-year-old will likely need to ramp things up soon to have a chance of being ready by Opening Day.

Graterol is dealing with shoulder discomfort and hip tightness and won't travel to South Korea with the Dodgers for the season-opening series against the Padres on March 20 and 21, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol has made just one game appearance thus far during spring training and is expected to resume throwing Tuesday, so he won't be ready with the season-opening international series a little more than a week away. The right-hander still hopes to be ready for the first stateside game of the season March 28, but it's a tight timeline for him to be built up in time.

Neris, who tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, has a 2.25 ERA across four spring appearances.

Neris is expected to settle into a high-leverage role after joining the Cubs over the winter. The veteran righty was a key member of the Houston bullpen the last few seasons, and he posted a stellar 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 68.1 innings for the Astros last year. Neris will likely set up closer Adbert Alzolay to begin the regular season, though the former is an option for saves if Alzolay struggles.

Edwards, who tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, has a 0.00 ERA across four spring appearances.

Edwards last pitched for the Cubs in 2019, and he was a valuable member of the bullpen for the 2016 World Series winning squad. The righty has bounced around a bit in recent years, but he has a chance to settle into a middle-relief spot with Chicago in 2024. Edwards likely won't have a ton of fantasy value in that role, however.