MLB Player News

Bummer gave up a run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, Bummer has been touched for runs in three of his five appearances this spring and has a 7.20 ERA, but he's largely been working later innings with minor-league defenders behind him. A better indication of how his camp has gone might come from his 5:0 K:BB through five innings. The 30-year-old could be the top lefty in the Atlanta bullpen to begin the year if A.J. Minter (finger) and Tyler Matzek (side) aren't ready for Opening Day, but regardless of where Bummer slots in the pecking order for setup duties, there should be plenty of leads to protect for a team that's won over 100 games each of the last two seasons.

Johnson struck out one in a perfect inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The 32-year-old right-hander has looked good this spring, posting a 7:1 K:BB over five innings while allowing just one run. Johnson spent some time closing for the Rockies last season before being acquired by Atlanta, and he excelled in a setup role for the NL East champs, delivering a 0.76 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB through 23.2 innings while picking up one win and eight holds in 24 appearances. He should resume those duties in 2024 as one of the primary bridges to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Antone allowed two unearned runs on one hit and two hit batters over one inning in Thursday's spring game against the Rangers. He struck out one.

Antone was called on to open the game after starter Nick Martinez (rib) was scratched. He nearly got out of a first-inning mess, but a TJ Friedl fielding error allowed the two unearned runs to score. Antone appeared in just five games in 2023 after rehabbing from Tommy John elbow surgery and forearm issues, but he's been healthy thus far in camp and will hold down a bullpen spot if that remains true.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell isn't ready to hand out defined roles for Alzolay or any other member of the bullpen, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Counsell said Thursday that "every bullpen has to evolve" and that the role of his relievers is simply "to get outs." Alzolay certainly seems likely to get first dibs after saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings for the Cubs last season. However, Hector Neris is also a candidate to be in the mix, along with Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter. Counsell has often had go-to closers during his time with the Brewers and one might very well emerge sooner rather than later with the Cubs, but for now there's some uncertainty.

Farmer allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over one inning in Thursday's spring game against Texas.

Farmer cruised through his first five Cactus League outings -- no runs or walks allowed and five strikeouts over five innings -- before the Rangers hung a four-spot on him in the fourth inning, courtesy of a Wyatt Langford grand slam. Farmer is expected to return as an important piece of the bullpen for Cincinnati, working as a bridge to closer Alexis Diaz.

Cruz walked one and struck out four over two hitless and scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Rangers.

The 34-year-old Cruz spent his first full season in the majors in 2023 and could maintain a largely low-leverage role for the Reds in 2024. The right-hander's advanced metrics from last season -- 2.83 FIP, 34.5 whiff percentage, 35.1 strikeout percentage -- suggest a better result than the 4.91 ERA he posted. Cruz has options remaining, which could be a factor when manager David Bell determines the lefty-righty mix needed in the bullpen to start the season.

Gott has allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk while also recording three strikeouts over three innings in three Cactus League appearances.

The third time was the charm for Gott this spring, as he was able to pitch a clean inning with two strikeouts against the Diamondbacks on Monday after surrendering three earned runs over his first pair of turns. Despite the struggles, Gott could be utilized in some high-leverage spots this season, although Mason Miller and Dany Jimenez project to be the top options for ninth-inning work.

Jimenez, who fired a scoreless sixth inning Thursday against the Cubs during which he recorded two strikeouts, owns a 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across 5.2 innings over six Cactus League appearances this spring.

The right-hander hasn't been scored upon in five of his exhibition outings, only slipping up against the Brewers last Friday by allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning. Jimenez has garnered three wins, 12 saves and 11 holds across 59 appearances over the last two seasons with the Athletics, despite dealing with some injuries over that span. If he remains healthy, the 30-year-old should be in line for a heavy workload, one that could include more save opportunities than he's seen previously, as manager Mark Kotsay has indicated that Mason Miller will be eased gradually into closing duties.

Thornton has pitched 4.2 innings across five Cactus League appearances, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks while recording two strikeouts.

The right-hander's numbers are a bit deceiving, as all of his trouble has come in just two of those outings. Thornton has otherwise posted a trio of one-inning scoreless appearances after impressing last season following his arrival in a trade with the Blue Jays. The 30-year-old has 36 career starts at the big-league level, and Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that manager Scott Servais plans to deploy Thornton in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen when necessary.

Speier has allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks across 3.2 innings over four Cactus League appearances. He's also recorded one strikeout.

The left-hander has alternated poor and effective outings, with all five of the runs he's allowed coming in his first and third Cactus League appearances. Speier posted a pair of scoreless one-inning efforts in his other two trips to the mound as he tries to build on a solid 2023 debut campaign in Seattle. Speier pitched to a 2-2 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, one save and 17 holds across a career-high 69 appearances last season, and Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports the 28-year-old may potentially operate in some higher-leverage spots in addition to his customary sixth- and seventh-inning "pivot" role in 2024.