MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Topa to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Acquired from the Brewers in January, Topa had a so-so performance in his first camp with Seattle. The hard-throwing righty turned in a 2.25 ERA and struck out eight batters over eight frames in Cactus League play, but he issued three walks and allowed a .300 average to opposing batters. So long as he steers clear of the health issues that have derailed him the past two seasons, Topa should stand a decent chance of surfacing in Seattle's bullpen at some point in 2023.

Varland secured a spot Monday on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Rule 5 pick has impressed this spring, posting a 4.15 ERA but a 17:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Varland seems likely to be used in a multi-inning relief role and will need to remain on the roster all season or be offered back to the Dodgers.

Mayza posted a 1.42 ERA and 7:0 K:BB through 6.1 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 31-year-old lefty appeared in only one Grapefruit League game after March 18 as the Blue Jays let their top set-up men get in most of their work on back fields late in camp. Mayza has racked up 52 holds over the last three seasons and figured to be Toronto's top relief option from the port side again in 2023.

Swanson has a 4.05 ERA and 4:2 K:BB through 6.2 innings over seven appearances this spring.

Curiously, the right-hander has appeared in only one Grapefruit League game since March 17, but there's been no indication from the Blue Jays he's battling an injury and he's presumably been getting his work in during minor-league contests. Swanson came over from Seattle this winter in the Teoscar Hernandez trade, and after posting a 1.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 70:10 K:BB and career-high 14 holds in 57 appearances for the M's, he's expected to be one of Toronto's main set-up men ahead of closer Jordan Romano.

Pop appears set to open the season in the big-league bullpen with Mitch White battling elbow soreness, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

White was expected to begin the season as a long reliever if he lost out on the fifth starter role to Yusei Kikuchi, but instead he now appears headed for the injured list. Pop pitched well this spring, posting a 9:1 K:BB through six innings, and he'll likely be used in middle relief in the majors.

The Rays optioned Kelley to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With the Rays shaving down their roster ahead of the 2023 season, Kelley was the latest member of the team's spring roster to be optioned. The right-hander appeared in nine games during spring training, surrendering just one run over 7.2 innings while striking out six batters. Kelley signed a minor-league deal with the Rays' organization in January after struggling to a 6.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 23 punchouts over 23.2 innings with the Brewers in 2022. The 29-year-old has already earned himself a 40-man roster spot and if he can continue to produce like he did this spring, Kelley will likely earn a call-up this summer.

Hernandez is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse and remained stretched out as a starter, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

"I think he's probably a little more [comfortable] from the starting standpoint, but with the ability to go into the bullpen," Mets manager Buck Showalter said Sunday. This was always the likely plan for Hernandez, and even after injuries hit the New York rotation in camp, David Peterson and Tylor Megill were viewed as the next men up. Hernandez didn't do much to force the issue this spring, posting a 7.45 ERA and 6:5 K:BB through 9.2 Grapefruit League innings.

The Phillies optioned Uelmen to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

With Philadelphia sending out Uelman, Luis Ortiz and Michael Plassmeyer to the minors, Andrew Vasquez appears to have claimed the final opening in the team's Opening Day bullpen. Uelman, 26, made 25 relief appearances at the big-league level for the Cubs in 2022, logging a 4.67 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 27 frames.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

A waiver pickup from the Giants earlier in the offseason, Ortiz wasn't able to earn a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen despite logging a 2.53 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 10.2 innings in Grapefruit League play. Since he possesses a spot on the 40-man roster and has three prior years of MLB experience, Ortiz will likely get the opportunity to join the big-league bullpen at some point in 2023 if he continues to fare well at Lehigh Valley.

Winder (shoulder) is not expected to be ready for the start of the season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Winder is working his way back from right shoulder soreness this spring. He's thrown batting practice, so he may not be far from being ready. However, he may begin the season at Triple-A.