MLB Player News

King will not pitch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals due to an illness, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 29-year-old lefty should return to the mound in a few days once he's recovered from his illness. After giving up seven runs on 14 hits and six walks over his first six spring training games, King has not allowed a run over his last three appearances.

The Mets reassigned Adams to minor-league camp Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Adams joined the Mets in November on a one-year deal to compete for a spot in the team's bullpen. He allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out 12 over 6.1 innings in spring training. Adams will start 2024 in the minors and look to work his way back to the majors.

The Mets optioned Fujinami to minor-league camp Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami joined the Mets on a one-year, $3.35 million deal back on Feb. 2 after spending 2023 with the Athletics and Orioles. He struggled in spring training, allowing five earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings. Fujinami will likely start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way into the Mets' bullpen.

The Mets designated Bickford for assignment Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Bickford will lose his spot on the Mets' 40-man roster in order to make space for J.D. Martinez, who officially signed with the team Saturday. Bickford gave up three earned runs over 4.2 innings during spring training and turned in a 4.95 ERA through 67.1 frames last season. He could receive attention on the waiver wire, but the 28-year-old reliever would almost certainly be limited to low-leverage work no matter where he ends up.

The Cardinals optioned Robertson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Robertson has posted a 4.50 ERA across eight innings this spring, but the Cardinals will need to see a larger sample from him before adding him to their bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander logged a 6.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 22.1 frames last season between the Red Sox and Dodgers.

Antone has claimed one of the final spots in the Reds' Opening Day bullpen, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After spending more than two full seasons on the injured list, Antone questioned whether he would ever pitch in a big-league game again. His return from a second Tommy John surgery last year was cut short due to renewed elbow discomfort, but he has earned a roster spot this spring and will be on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 2021. Antone said that he has stopped chasing velocity and embraced a new sinker in light of his injuries. Expect the right-hander to pitch mostly in the middle innings to begin the 2024 campaign.

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Hernandez had a solid spring, surrendering one run over six innings while striking out nine batters and walking six, but he will ultimately miss out on the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. Hernandez only has 5.1 innings of Triple-A experience, so sending him back to the minors to continue developing could be beneficial after his unimpressive rookie campaign in 2023.

Junis didn't pitch as scheduled Friday due to a shoulder injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said the team doesn't believe Junis' injury to be serious, but the Brewers will likely play it safe with the right-hander. Junis has posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 10.2 innings this spring, but his chances at making Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation increased significantly after the Brewers optioned Aaron Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Hoffman struck out the side against the Tigers on Friday and now has a 10:2 K:BB in 7.2 scoreless innings this spring.

After struggling as a swingman with the Rockies and Reds for most of his career, Hoffman suddenly emerged as a shutdown reliever for the Phillies last season. He finished the year with a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 52.1 innings. If his spring numbers are any indication, he's on track for a similar performance this season. That could earn him a handful of saves if the Phillies go with a closer committee, which manager Rob Thomson has favored in the past.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Friday that Thompson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Veteran Sonny Gray (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, opening the door for Thompson to earn a rotation spot. The southpaw pitched well during spring training with a 2.81 ERA and 14:6 K:BB across 16 innings, but Thompson will likely only get a few starts to stake his claim to a more permanent rotation spot since Gray isn't expected to have a lengthy absence.