MLB Player News

Garcia is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list while he contends with a side injury that first surfaced during his Cactus League debut March 21, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

According to Cassavell, Garcia was able to play catch Monday, so his side injury doesn't look to be a long-term concern. In any case, Garcia doesn't look as though he'll have enough time to get fully ramped up for Opening Day, which will leave him out of the mix not only for a spot in the Padres' season-opening bullpen but also remove him from contention for the closing job for the time being. Manager Bob Melvin has yet to anoint a closer as Opening Day approaches, so it's possible the Friars take a committee approach to the ninth inning to begin the season before potentially settling on a preferred option. Garcia was believed to be a candidate to factor into the closing picture after he submitted a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB in 33.1 innings for the Cardinals in 2021 before inking a two-year, $7 million deal with the Padres in free agency this winter.

The Padres placed Pomeranz (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

San Diego's decision to place Pomeranz on the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty, whom the team acquired via trade from the Dodgers in a corresponding move. The Padres had already ruled out Pomeranz for the start of the season while he remains limited to throwing off flat ground in his rehab program from elbow surgery, and the transaction now ensures that he'll remain sidelined until at least early June. Due to the time he'll miss to begin the season, Pomeranz appears unlikely to factor into the Padres' unsettled closer situation, at least not initially when he ultimately returns.

The Angels reassigned Daniel to their minor-league camp Monday.

Though he netted an invitation for big-league camp, Daniel wasn't a realistic candidate to break camp with the Angels with a number of other pitchers ahead of him in the pecking order for back-end spots in the club's six-man rotation. Still, Daniel will be a pitcher worth tracking as he likely heads back to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin 2022. Though his initial taste of the Triple-A level didn't go well last season -- he gave up 24 earned runs on 37 hits (including seven home runs) over 21 innings -- the 24-year-old righty was dominant for Double-A Rocket City (2.68 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 66:8 K:BB in 47 frames) prior to his promotion to Salt Lake.

The Angels reassigned Ponce de Leon to their minor-league camp Monday.

Ponce de Leon was one of non-roster invitees sent back to the minors as the Angels look to trim down their big-league camp group ahead of Opening Day. He's expected to slot into the rotation at Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the campaign and will give the Angels some established starting depth in the upper minors. Ponce de Leon has made 22 starts in the majors with St. Louis across the past four seasons, compiling a 4.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 147.2 career innings.

Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Hjelle appeared in two games this spring, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four over three innings. The 24-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut, but he did start 10 games with Sacramento last season, struggling to a 5.74 ERA and 1.81 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 29 walks over 53.1 innings.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Monday that Coonrod is dealing with a strained right shoulder and won't be available for the start of the regular season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Coonrod picked up the injury following his second Grapefruit League appearance last Wednesday, with the Phillies sending him in for an MRI before the shoulder strain was confirmed. He'll be shut down from throwing for the next 5-to-7 days before the Phillies decide his next steps, but even if Coonrod gets the green light to resume workouts by next week, he won't have sufficient time to get himself ready for Opening Day. When healthy, Coonrod is expected to fill a middle-relief role following a 2021 campaign in which he posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 42.1 innings while collecting nine holds and two saves.

Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

The pitcher failed to appear in any games this spring after having his contract selected by the Angels in November. Peguero struggled in his three outings with the team last season, surrendering seven earned runs in 2.1 innings on the mound. Additionally, he posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in six appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2021.

Brash fired three scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Athletics on Sunday, recording six strikeouts.

The surging right-hander made yet another excellent case for inclusion into the starting rotation, with Danie Kramer of MLB.com reporting Brash utilized all of his high-90s fastball, slider/curveball combination and even a changeup with great effectiveness. Brash's heater also hit 98 mph consistently, leaving him satisfied with how his arsenal is coming along. "The slider is getting there," Brash said. "It usually takes me a little bit, but it was definitely a lot better today and I threw a lot of curveballs; mixed in both today. But yeah, I'm getting a feel for both pitches."

Alcala (finger) gave up a run on a home run in one inning in his spring debut in Sunday's win over Boston.

Alcala had been slowed by a nail tear on his right middle finger, but it doesn't look like it will be an issue for the start of the regular season.

Romero was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Romero made two relief appearances this spring and allowed five runs on eight hits and no walks in two innings. He spent the entire 2021 campaign in Las Vegas and recorded a 6.27 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 74.2 innings across 28 appearances (13 starts).