MLB Player News

Buttrey was assigned to minor-league spring training Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Buttrey held his own while at big-league camp, surrendering one run on five hits while striking out five over five frames. He'll now set his sights on preparing for the 2024 minor-league campaign and figures to begin the year at Triple-A Tacoma.

Staumont reached 98 mph with his fastball in his last outing Saturday after only reaching 92-93 mph earlier in the spring, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He's given up two earned runs with four strikeouts and five walks in 4.2 innings this spring.

He had an 95.8-mph average fastball last season. Staumont is working his way back after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July. He has a minor-league option left, so he may begin the season in Triple-A as he builds back to full speed. It's also possible he begins the season in the majors with injuries to Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Jhoan Duran (oblique).

Funderburk looks set to begin the season in the Minnesota bullpen with injuries to Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Jhoan Duran (oblique), Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Funderburk and Steven Okert will be the primary lefties in the Minnesota bullpen with Theilbar sidelined. Funderburk had a 2.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 75:21 K:BB across 37 appearances (two starts) at Triple-A last season. He then had a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings with the Twins. He had the best strikeout rate of his career last season at Triple-A (13.0 K/9) with a strong walk rate. He could stick in the major-league bullpen if he has a strong start to the season.

Moll (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Moll came into camp behind schedule after feeling some left shoulder soreness during his offseason throwing program. He's been cleared for game action, though, and the Reds believe he can ramp up in time for Opening Day. Assuming health, Moll should be one of the team's key left-handed relievers.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Martinez (ribs) is locked into a rotation spot, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

That's assuming Martinez's rib issue is indeed minor as the team suspects. He joins Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft in the rotation, with Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) in the mix for the fifth spot, at least until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is ready. Signed to a two-year, $26 million contract in November, Martinez officially has just five Cactus League innings under his belt this spring but has yielded only one unearned run with a 7:1 K:BB over that time. Just nine of Martinez's 63 appearances last season came as a starter, but he posted a 2.32 ERA and 37:18 K:BB over 42.2 frames in those outings.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Kerkering is still rebuilding his strength after a bout with the flu and might not be ready for Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kerkering hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since March 1 and is still working on regaining his stamina. While the illness is not a long-term concern, it has limited him to just two outings this spring and the Phillies don't want to rush the young reliever back. If Kerkering does have to wind up missing some time, he shouldn't be out long.

The Twins reassigned Balazovic to minor-league camp Monday.

Once of the Twins' more promising starting pitching prospects, Balazovic made the full-time move to the bullpen in 2023. Though he reached the big leagues for the first time last season, Balazovic struggled to distinguish himself, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 24.1 innings. Balazovic will remain in the Twins organization for 2024 despite being outrighted shortly before spring training, but his lack of a 40-man roster spot will work against him in his efforts to rejoin the Minnesota bullpen.

The Reds reassigned Kriske to minor-league camp Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kriske struck out seven and pitched to a 3.60 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over five innings during Cactus League play, but those solid numbers weren't enough for him to win a spot in the Reds' Opening Day bullpen. The 30-year-old journeyman reliever has made 20 career appearances in the big leagues over parts of three seasons with the Yankees, Orioles and Royals, logging a 11.22 ERA over 21.2 innings.

The Reds reassigned Gilbert to minor-league camp Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gilbert joined the Reds for spring training as a non-roster invitee after inking a minor-league deal with the organization over the winter. He could serve as a swingman for Triple-A Louisville after making seven starts among his 30 appearances for Triple-A Reno in the Arizona organization in 2023.

The Reds reassigned Bruihl to minor-league camp Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bruihl is expected to report to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season and will serve as organizational relief depth. He made 27 appearances at the big-league level in 2023 between the Dodgers and Rockies, pitching to a 5.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 28 innings.