MLB Player News

Weems has posted a 10:3 K:BB without allowing a home run over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 31-year-old converted catcher established himself as a reliable bullpen option with the Nationals in 2023, recording five wins and seven holds over 51 appearances with a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB. Weems is on the fringes of high-leverage usage but will begin the season behind Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Rainey in the pecking order from the right side, making him unlikely to see any save chances.

The Pirates are expected to select Stratton's contract and add him to the roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Marlins, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stratton earned his spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out seven while allowing six hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings during Grapefruit League play. Given his limited MLB experience -- he made eight appearances out of the Pittsburgh bullpen as a 26-year-old rookie in 2023 -- Stratton will presumably begin the season in a low-leverage role.

Shaw is expected to be included on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Shaw is attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, so the White Sox will still have to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster before he's officially a part of the Opening Day bullpen. The 36-year-old right-hander is heading into his second season in Chicago after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB in 45.2 innings over his 36 appearances. As the most battle-tested reliever in a White Sox bullpen lacking in experienced arms, Shaw could factor into the mix for saves, though younger pitchers such as Michael Kopech and Jordan Leasure boast more powerful arsenals and fit the closer archetype better.

Reid-Foley (arm) failed to record an out and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and one walk during his relief appearance Sunday in the Mets' 5-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins.

Though Reid-Foley spotted just 13 of his 23 pitches for strikes and was unable to retire any of the three batters he faced, the Mets were likely just happy to have him back in action after he had battled arm fatigue earlier this month. The two hits and two runs were the first of either that Reid-Foley had given up in his four innings this spring, and he's also held batters to a .143 average overall while striking out seven. Reid-Foley still appears in good shape to win a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen.

Beeter has been informed that he'll be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Luis Gil has been announced as the Yankees' fifth starter, so Beeter will begin the season in the bullpen as a long man. Beeter has yet to appear in a major-league game, having collected a 3.62 ERA and 165:75 K:BB over 131.2 innings between Double-A Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023.

Alcala (hand) gave up five runs (three earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings of relief Sunday in the Twins' 8-3 loss to the Orioles in Grapefruit League play.

Alcala returned to the mound four days after he left his appearance against the Tigers early due to being struck in the right hand by a line drive. While Alcala was fortunate to avoid structural damage and seemingly needed only a few days off for any pain he was experiencing to subside, his results in his return to the mound were less than stellar. Given that he's missed most of the last two seasons with arm issues and is now sporting a 6.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 10 innings in the Grapefruit League, Alcala may not be a lock for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen. He still has three minor-league options remaining, so Minnesota could elect to send Alcala to Triple-A St. Paul if the organization feels he isn't ready to contribute out of the big-league bullpen.

Santos (lat) will undergo an MRI on Thursday and the results will determine the next steps in his recovery, MLB.com reports.

If the inflammation in Santos' lat has subsided sufficiently, the Mariners will begin mapping out a throwing program. The right-hander still projects to be sidelined for several more weeks, as he'll need to eventually complete a rehab assignment at the minor-league level before being deemed ready for activation.

The Yankees optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Ramirez posted a 6.14 ERA over 7.1 innings during spring training and was unable to earn a place on the Opening Day roster. The left-hander pitched well for the Yankees last season with a 2.66 ERA in 32 appearances, so it's likely just a matter of time before he's recalled in 2024.

The Yankees optioned Marinaccio to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Marinaccio surrendered seven runs with a 6:7 K:BB over 7.1 innings during spring training and won't make the Opening Day roster. He had a 3.99 ERA in 45 outings for the Yankees last season and is likely to receive another look at some point in 2024.

The Yankees optioned Poteet to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

The right-hander was an outside candidate for New York's rotation after Gerrit Cole went down with an elbow injury, but Luis Gil ended up winning the job. Poteet pitched well in camp with a 2.35 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings and could fill a bullpen role later on for the Yankees if he gets off to a strong start at Triple-A.