MLB Player News

Francis struck out three and walked one over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Entering the game to begin the fifth inning, Francis faced his toughest challenge in the sixth but breezed through the top of the Atlanta order, striking out Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia before getting Travis d'Arnaud to fly out. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 30 of 42 pitches for strikes before exiting, and with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking questionable for Opening Day, Francis may have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Imanaga allowed three runs on three hits across 2.1 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He struck out five.

Outside of allowing a three-run home run, Imanaga looked pretty good in his first start of the spring with his new team, striking out half of the batters he faced. The lefty is expected to slot into a top-of-the-rotation role with the Cubs after coming over from Nippon Professional Baseball in the offseason. Imanaga may have some ups and downs as he adjusts to MLB hitting for the first time, but the talent is there for him to make a strong fantasy impact.

Laweryson (biceps) made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday in the Twins' 3-3 tie with the Phillies, striking out three over one inning while allowing two earned runs on one hit.

Laweryson served up a two-run home run that put the Twins in a 3-0 hole in the top of the seventh, but Minnesota rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to salvage a tie. A 25-year-old right-hander who has yet to reach the majors, Laweryson isn't a serious threat to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but he at least appears to be healthy entering the 2024 season after he didn't pitch after Aug. 15 of last season due to right biceps tendinitis.

Rios (shoulder) is listed as one of the Mets' available relievers for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rios' 2023 season came to an end last July after he required surgery to address an axillary branch aneurysm in his right shoulder, but he seems to have received a clean bill of health for spring training. He's made two appearances in the spring thus far, tossing two scoreless frames.

The Mets reassigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Young, who posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 8.1 innings out of Atlanta's bullpen in 2023, will miss out on a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen. The lefty reliever is expected to head to Triple-A Syracuse to begin his tenure with the Mets.

The Mets optioned Ingram to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Ingram was one of 10 Mets players dispatched to minor-league camp in the first round of spring training cuts. The 27-year-old lefty reliever was claimed off waivers from the Tigers in February and retains a spot on the 40-man roster, so he could be a candidate to join the Mets' bullpen at some point in 2024.

Stephens (elbow) retired two batters via strikeout and gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk Saturday in Atlanta's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League play.

Making his spring debut, Stephens threw 21 pitches to four hitters. The 29-year-old right-hander finished the 2023 campaign on Atlanta's injured list due to right elbow inflammation, but he's faced no apparent limitations thus far in camp. After re-signing with Atlanta on a split contract over the winter, Stephens may need an impressive showing in the spring to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

McGough is projected for one of eight bullpen spots on Arizona's Opening Day roster, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

McGough was an important piece of the bullpen to start the 2023 season and was a regular at the end of games, but it all fell apart in the second half, when he posted an 8.63 ERA over 23 appearances. Once Paul Sewald was acquired at the trade deadline, McGough didn't sniff a ninth-inning save opportunity. After a scoreless inning Saturday, McGough has given up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over two Cactus League appearances.

Sewald allowed two hits over a scoreless inning in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.

Sewald made his Cactus League debut, entering to start the third inning, and came away unscathed with the help of a baserunner getting thrown out at third base. The reliever, who enters spring training as the Diamondbacks' closer, trotted out a new changeup Saturday, per Jesus Cano of MLB.com. The righty used it twice during the at-bat that closed out his one inning. "We're going to see how it goes," Sewald said. "If the results are good enough that we think it's a quality pitch, then I'll take it in the season, but just something to try to work on." The 33-year-old veteran understands pitchers need to evolve to be effective over long careers. Sewald recorded 34 combined saves between Seattle and Arizona in 2023.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Saturday.

Martinez received a quick cut from camp after yielding four runs over 1.1 innings in his two Cactus League outings. The 27-year-old could be used as a starter or reliever at Las Vegas.