MLB Player News

Cuas allowed a run on three hits in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, pushing his spring ERA to 1.50.

Cuas came into the game having logged five straight scoreless appearances this spring, and he's struck out eight batters in six innings overall. The righty is trying to build on an effective 2023 campaign, when he posted a 3.99 ERA and struck out 71 across 65.1 total innings with the Cubs and Royals. Cuas will likely work in middle relief, however, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Matsui (back) will pitch in the Padres' Cactus League finale against the A's on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Back tightness cost Matsui several weeks of his first major-league spring training after he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December. However, the lefty made it through an intrasquad game over the weekend and his imminent return to exhibition play bodes well for his chances of making the trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the Dodgers. Matsui was a top closer in Japan and could eventually find his way into the ninth inning, though MLB.com is projecting him to to open the season as one of the team's primary setup men.

Thielbar (hamstring) still isn't able to run at full speed, but he believes he'll be ready for Opening Day, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He threw another batting practice session Tuesday.

It's a little worrisome he can't run at full speed, but it sounds like he has enough time to be ready for the start of the season. He will try to progress to appearing in a spring game in the next week. Thielbar is an impact reliever who will serve in the setup corps for the Twins again this season.

Martin (lat) allowed one hit and struck one over one scoreless inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Martin pitched in a game for the first time since last spring. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a tear in the lat tendon of his right shoulder. The right-hander may not have enough time to be ready for the start of the season, but Martin's performance Tuesday suggests he'll get an opportunity to contribute for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2024.

Sands could make Minnesota's major-league roster in a long-relief role to begin the season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. If he begins the season in the majors, he may end up splitting time between Triple-A and the big-league club again.

Staumont may not make the opening roster due to decreased velocity this spring, with his fastball clocking 92-94 mph in games, MLB.com reports. He has a 4.50 ERA with two strikeouts and three walks in four innings this spring.

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.

Berroa was sidelined Tuesday due to an injury in his arm/shoulder, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Details regarding the nature of Berroa's injury or a potential return timeline are currently unknown. Berroa found consistent success at the Double-A level last year with a 2.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 101 strikeouts across 65.1 frames, and he held his own on the mound during his two MLB appearances with the Mariners. The 23-year-old reliever was in the hunt to make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen, but his injured shoulder could put his chances in jeopardy.

The White Sox optioned Horn to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Horn opened spring camp with the Cubs, but he was traded to the White Sox on Feb. 27 and has surrendered one run in five innings since joining the South Siders. The 26-year-old southpaw logged a 4.58 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 53 frames in Triple-A last season, but a strong start in Charlotte could earn Horn a promotion into what projects to be a relatively weak White Sox bullpen.

Wilson opted out of his minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Wilson presumably didn't make the cut for Los Angeles' Opening Day bullpen after giving up two earned runs over four innings this spring, and he will now enter the open market. The 36-year-old lefty hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2022.

The Nationals optioned Brzykcy (elbow) to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Brzykcy will head back to the minors after surrendering nine runs across 18 innings during spring training while striking out 18 batters and walking nine. The 24-year-old righty was dominant in Double-A in 2022 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 38 frames and didn't allow a run in two Triple-A appearances upon being promoted at the end of the year. However, a forearm strain cost him the entire 2023 campaign, and Brzykcy underwent Tommy John surgery in June to address the issue. If Brzykcy is able to return to his 2022 form at Rochester once he fully recovers from his procedure, he could be a candidate to join Washington's bullpen at some point this season.