MLB Player News

Smith will begin the season in the Guardians' bullpen unless the team acquires another reliever in the next few days, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

At the moment, Smith's 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through eight spring innings has earned him a spot in Cleveland's bullpen, though it's unclear how aggressive the Guardians will be in pursuing another reliever to replace the 24-year-old righty. Smith spent most of last season in Triple-A Columbus, where he turned in a 4.65 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 40.2 frames. If he does remain on Cleveland's Opening Day roster, he likely will be limited to low-leverage situations to begin his MLB career.

The Giants reassigned Enlow to minor-league camp Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Enlow signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Dec. 16 and was invited to the team's spring training. He posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 11 innings during Cactus League play. It was an improvement on Enlow's Triple-A numbers in 2023 when he registered a 7.94 ERA over 45.1 innings.

The Giants reassigned Howard to minor-league camp Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Howard signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Nov. 10 and was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He posted a 1.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings, but it ultimately wasn't enough. Howard has struggled at the big-league level, but a productive stint in Triple-A could give the Giants a reason to call him up to the majors this season.

Manager Pat Murphy said Saturday that Clarke (knee) underwent imaging earlier in the week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The results of the MRI are unknown, but Hogg notes that it's unlikely that Clarke will be on the Brewers' Opening Day roster. His last spring training appearance was March 17 against the Royals, when he threw three scoreless innings with two hits and one walk allowed.

The White Sox released Chavez on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The White Sox signed Chavez to a minor-league contract Feb. 8 and invited the right-hander to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. The 31-year-old struggled over his seven innings pitched as he allowed nine runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out eight. Chavez will weigh his options in free agency.

Wood allowed an earned run on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch over three innings in a Cactus League win over the Reds on Friday. He struck out four.

The veteran, who's already been tabbed for an Opening Day start against Cleveland on Thursday, tuned up well for that outing with his three-inning stint on the mound. Wood's one stumble came in the form of an RBI double surrendered to Will Benson in the third inning, and the left-hander will finish spring having allowed just two earned runs over the eight innings covering his last two starts while generating an impressive 10:1 K:BB in that span.

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.