MLB Player News

Williams is dealing with a sore back and will get a second opinion from a spine specialist in the coming week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin adds that Williams had an MRI on his back this past week. He'll continue to take time off as a precaution until he is assessed by a back specialist this week. Williams tallied 36 saves in 40 tries last season while posting a 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB over 58.2 innings.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that Foley (undisclosed) wasn't used in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets due to "mid-camp fatigue," Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Foley doesn't look to be dealing with a legitimate injury, but he could be dealing with a case of "dead arm" after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 2.2 innings in three appearances so far this spring. He presumably isn't in any real danger of opening the season on the injured list but may rest for a few days before making his next Grapefruit League appearance.

Fernandez has allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in Grapefruit League play.

Fernandez was acquired by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He will need to be on the major-league roster for all of the 2024 campaign -- if not, he must be offered back to the Red Sox. Given his work in spring, the Cardinals may be able to find a role for the 25-year-old right-hander. There are still a lot of options for middle-relief roles, but Fernandez's good first impression may help him stick with St. Louis.

Ginkel (elbow) gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-5 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Ginkel served up a solo home run to Mike Tauchman but otherwise escaped the fourth inning unscathed in his first action of spring training. Arizona had eased Ginkel into its spring pitching schedule after he reported elbow soreness early in camp, but as a reliever who typically works only one inning per appearance, he won't require much ramp-up time ahead of Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was one of seven players sent packing Sunday as Arizona reduced its group at major-league camp to 46 men. The team's decision to cut Martinez comes as little surprise after he struggled mightily in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2023, when he posted a 12.60 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 10 innings out of the Arizona bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Treinen has a bruised lung but was cleared of any fractures to his ribs after undergoing X-rays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Treinen sustained the injury Saturday when he took a comebacker off his chest in his Cactus League appearance against the Rangers. Roberts said Sunday that Treinen's bruised lung isn't as serious as it sounds, and the Dodgers are still preparing for the veteran reliever to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. If Treinen checks out fine following the side session, he could be available for the Dodgers' season-opening series in South Korea versus the Padres on March 20 and 21.

Strzelecki was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

The right-hander was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Brewers at the deadline last summer but made just one big-league appearance after the trade. Strzelecki had a decent 4.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 37 frames in the majors, but he struggled at Triple-A Reno with 12 earned runs allowed in 13 outings.

Brash (elbow) will play catch out to 90 feet Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash will take an incremental step forward in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, as he had been playing catch out to 60 feet a few days earlier. The right-hander still looks like he might be a week or more away from throwing off a mound, and since he'll need additional time beyond that to face hitters in live batting practice and eventually Cactus League or minor-league rehab games, Brash appears set to begin the season on the 15-day injured list.

Pagan (sports hernia) struck out two over a perfect inning of relief Saturday in the Reds' 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks in Cactus League play.

The Reds had slow played Pagan's integration into the spring pitching schedule while he needed extra time to complete his recovery from offseason sports hernia surgery, but the veteran reliever looked sharp in his Cactus League debut Saturday. Assuming he comes out of spring training unscathed following his subsequent appearances, Pagan should serve as one of the top setup arms in front of closer Alexis Diaz during the upcoming season.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that Simpson is dealing with left elbow discomfort that's similar to nerve irritation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Simpson hasn't pitched since Feb. 27, and Schumaker said the club is being cautious since the left-hander "still feels it a little bit." Given the length of the layoff, the 26-year-old will likely need to ramp things up soon to have a chance of being ready by Opening Day.