MLB Player News

Pagan (hernia) has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game, but the Reds haven't yet ruled him out for Opening Day, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds have four of their primary relievers not pitching in games right now -- Pagan, Sam Moll (shoulder), Alex Young (back) and Ian Gibaut (forearm).

With Nick Lodolo (leg) behind schedule this spring, both Andrew Abbott and Martinez are likely to begin the season in the starting rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Initially, Martinez and Abbott were considered competitors for the fifth starter's job, but that decision will be deferred until Lodolo is up to speed and banging down the door to start.

Fujinami's (personal) Grapefruit League debut will now take place Thursday versus the Nationals after Wednesday's game against the Astros was rained out, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami is healthy but faced a delay to his spring training while tending to a family matter in his native Japan. He will still have plenty of time to get ramped up ahead of Opening Day.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Moreta is dealing with a ligament injury to his right elbow, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The hurler is still being evaluated before a decision is made about how to treat the injury, but Tomczyk said Moreta will miss "an extended period of time." The loss of Moreta for any length of time is a big blow to the Pirates bullpen, as he held a 3.72 ERA and 76:24 K:BB across 58 innings in 2023 and had been pegged for a key role again in 2024.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Hudson "will be in our bullpen," Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson is attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but Roberts' comments imply that the veteran reliever will be added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster ahead of the Dodgers' March 20 season opener versus the Padres in South Korea. Though he missed most of the last two seasons with knee issues, Hudson has been healthy thus far in spring training. Hudson hasn't been overly sharp in 3.2 Cactus League innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks, but the Dodgers will bet on the veteran right-hander's track record as they include him in their bullpen.

Killian underwent an MRI after exiting a Cactus League appearance Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The results of the MRI aren't yet in, but it's certainly a discouraging development for the young right-hander. If healthy, Killian is likely slated for a spot in the Triple-A Iowa rotation, though he could also be an option for the big-league club as a reliever.

Alzolay (illness) struck out one and worked around a base hit in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Guardians in Cactus League play.

Alzolay had been in line to make his second appearance of spring training last Friday, but the Cubs scratched him from the pitching schedule after he came down with the illness. The right-hander quickly overcame the ailment, clearing up any lingering concern about his status heading into Opening Day. Though Alzolay paced the Cubs with 22 saves in 2023, he could face competition for save chances from the likes of Hector Neris, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Cubs in January.

Fujinami (personal) returned to the Mets' camp this week and is scheduled to appear in relief during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The upcoming appearance will mark the spring debut for Fujinami, who signed a one-year deal with the Mets in early February but was a late arrival to camp while he remained in his home country of Japan to attend to a family matter. Since the Mets are likely viewing Fujinami as a one- or two-inning reliever this season, he'll likely need just a handful of appearances in the spring to get fully ramped up for Opening Day.

Jackson has allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four over two Cactus League innings.

Jackson missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He bounced back over the latter half of 2023, posting a 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB over 33.1 innings. Jackson's strikeout totals give him some real upside, but he doesn't have a clear path to consistent late-inning work with the Giants. The right-hander should mainly pitch in the middle innings, which could give him chances to vulture wins since the Giants have a lot of uncertainty in their rotation.

Walker has allowed a hit and hit one batsman over two scoreless innings in Cactus League play.

Walker has not walked or struck out a batter. He was a bit of a fireman in 2023, serving as an opener 13 times in 49 appearances while pitching to a 3.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 78:24 K:BB over 61.1 innings. That gives him strikeout upside, but the change in managers from Gabe Kapler to Bob Melvin could mean a more steady low-leverage relief role for Walker. The Giants look set in the late innings, headlined by closer Camilo Doval, so Walker shouldn't be counted on for many saves or holds in 2024.