MLB Player News

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.

Saucedo has not allowed a run through five innings across five Cactus League appearances while surrendering four hits, hitting a batter and posting a 6:0 K:BB.

Saucedo has pitched to some harmless contact but otherwise excelled, firing an inning apiece in his five turns out of the bullpen. The left-hander was a valuable part of the relief corps in his 2023 debut campaign in Seattle, pitching to a 3-2 record, 3.59 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 52 appearances while also recording a save and three holds. Saucedo is projected to operate in a similar capacity in the coming season, with Daniel Kramer of MLB.com noting the 30-year-old southpaw could also see action in some higher-leverage spots in addition to his customary sixth- and seventh-inning "pivot" role.

Alexander is dealing with a stress reaction in his left rib and will be sidelined for an undetermined period of time, MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw struggled across three Cactus League appearances, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits and a walk over 2.1 innings. Alexander's injury could sideline him into the early portion of the season, although more clarity on his potential return timetable could be gleaned in coming days.

Castro allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Castro has allowed runs in five consecutive appearances and owns an 11.12 ERA through 5.2 Cactus League innings. There was a one-month stretch from mid-May to mid-June in 2023 when Castro was closing games and regularly pitching high-leverage situations, but things fell apart quickly. Despite the poor spring results, Castro is expected to be part of the Opening Day bullpen.

Leasure has not allowed an earned run across six innings of Cactus League action.

Leasure has gotten strong reviews throughout camp, and that's translated to game action as he's also racked up a 7:3 K:BB. After being acquired at the trade deadline of the 2023 season, he reached Triple-A Charlotte, which makes it a realistic possibility for him to break camp with the big-league club -- potentially in a high-leverage role. That's particularly true with both John Brebbia (calf) and Prelander Berroa (shoulder) battling injuries.

Winckowski allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out two over 3.2 innings in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

Winckowski, making his fourth Grapefruit League start, breezed through the first inning then hit a road bump in the second, which included a Triston Casas throwing error. The right-hander was sharp over his first three appearances before Thursday's effort. Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe notes that Tanner Houck and Cooper Criswell have positioned themselves for the final two rotation spots ahead of Winckowski and Garrett Whitlock; however, manager Alex Cora has not indicated which two pitchers will follow Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford in the rotation. Winckowski was a revelation out of the bullpen in 2023 and could be headed there again this year, per Abraham.

Martinez's next Cactus League appearance has been pushed back from Thursday to Saturday because of a rib injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds manager David Bell said that Martinez "may have a rib out of place," but the right-hander was still able to play long-toss Thursday and will start in a couple days. At this point, it doesn't sound like an injury to be concerned about. Martinez has allowed one unearned run with a 7:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. He's expected to open the season in Cincinnati's rotation.

Francis kept rolling Thursday in his Grapefruit League outing versus the Twins, yielding just one unearned run over six innings. He struck out two.

The Twins plated a single run in the third inning following an Eduardo Escobar error, but that's the only tally they managed on the day. Francis needed only 67 pitches to get through his six frames, permitting just four singles and no walks. The right-hander lowered his spring ERA to 1.93, and he holds a 12:2 K:BB over 14 innings. With Alek Manoah (shoulder) all but certain to open the season on the injured list, Francis appears close to locking up the fifth spot in Toronto's rotation, if he hasn't done so already.

Llovera cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma.

After acquiring Llovera from the Red Sox in January via waiver claim, he'll remain in the Mariners organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Llovera turned in a 4.89 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 35 innings between the Giants and Red Sox last season, and he could potentially return to the majors in 2024 if Seattle runs into depth issues over the course of the season.

Megill, Abner Uribe and Joel Payamps "seem to be the most obvious" candidates to replace the injured Devin Williams (back) as the Brewers' closer, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. However, manager Pat Murphy does not plan to name a closer anytime soon.

When asked Thursday about having a defined closer, Murphy replied, "I don't think that's important, especially not now." The skipper added that he's open to eventually naming a closer if a clear candidate emerges, but heading into the season it sounds like Murphy plans to use his high-leverage options at different points in the game, depending on the situation. Payamps, Uribe and Megill are all worthy of fantasy roster consideration, probably in that order of preference. Williams is expected to be sidelined for about three months with two stress fractures in his back, so there will be plenty of saves available in Milwaukee's bullpen during the first half.