MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Abbott to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Abbott has pitched well this spring but nonetheless finds himself on the outside looking in for a roster spot. He figures to serve in a swingman role again for the Nationals this season.

The Nationals optioned Weems to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Weems held a 5.22 ERA but a 41:12 K:BB over 39.2 innings for the Nats last season. He should get another shot in the big-league bullpen at some point in 2023.

Santillan (back) threw a live batting practice session Saturday, facing Will Benson and Jose Barrero, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. It was his first live session of the spring.

Santillan is targeting a return to game action by mid-April, though what role he'll have upon his return remains uncertain.

Andriese was reassigned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Andriese was signed to a minor-league contract back in January with an invitation to spring training, and the right-hander report to the minors to begin the season, assuming there's no opt-out to his deal. The 33-year-old was effective with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan during the 2022 season with a 2.86 ERA over 63 innings.

Robinson was optioned Monday to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Robinson was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The right-hander posted a 2.49 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 65 innings between three minor-league levels last season, and he could be an option for the Milwaukee bullpen at some point in 2023.

Mejia was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mejia was unable to settle in with the Brewers in 2022, as he was knocked around for six runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks while fanning one over two appearances prior to being sent down. However, He'll be a candidate for a mid-season promotion if continues to show good stuff in the minors. Mejia fared much better at Triple-A Nashville last season with a 2.76 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 33:13 K:BB across 29.1 innings.

Uribe was optioned Monday to Double-A Biloxi, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Uribe reached Double-A for two appearances in 2022, and it looks like the right-hander will return to Biloxi to open this season. The right-hander was limited to just those two games because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he shows a fastball that can touch triple digits and a swing-and-miss slider, and he could make his MLB debut sometime this summer.

Murfee has fired five hitless innings over his first five Cactus League appearances, allowing a walk and hitting a batter while recording five strikeouts.

Murfee is believed to have the inside track for a top setup role in 2023, although the likes of Andres Munoz and Diego Castillo could certainly also see their fair share of eighth-inning work when not serving as closers alongside Paul Sewald. The 28-year-old Murfee was highly impressive as a rookie in 2022, recording a 4-0 record, 2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and seven holds across 69.1 innings.

Brash has allowed five earned runs on four hits and four walks while recording two strikeouts across 1.1 innings in two Cactus League appearances this spring.

The right-hander is looking to carve out a relief role during spring training but has seen his usual control issues rear their head over a small sample. Brash worked out of the bullpen from July 9 onward last season upon being called up from Triple-A Tacoma and acquitted himself well, posting a 3-1 record, 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, nine holds and a 12.6 K/9 across 30.2 innings, albeit while also generating a bloated 4.7 BB/9.

Montes de Oca was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow Monday, Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports reports.

There is no ligament damage in the elbow, which is good news. Montes de Oca will be shut down for about a week before being re-evaluated. It looks to be a positive diagnosis, all things considered, but one which could still lead to a stint on the injured list. Montes de Oca has lit up radar guns this spring and could push for a late-inning bullpen role with the Mets at some point, but he has to get healthy first.