MLB Player News

Fairbanks, who was credited with a hold in a Grapefruit League win over the Twins on Saturday, now has three scoreless outings in his last four spring appearances.

Fairbanks, who's expected to get a fair share of high-leverage opportunities this coming season, got a late start to Grapefruit League action due to a bout with food poisoning, but he's made up for lost time since his March 11 debut. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed an earned run apiece in two outings, including that first appearance, and Saturday represented his first clean effort of spring.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Mantiply to their minor-league camp Sunday.

Mantiply was among Arizona's final five cuts as the team trims down its roster to 26 before Opening Day. The 30-year-old impressed this spring with a 1.23 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 7.1 innings, but he's been equally uninspiring over a similarly small sample of regular-season action in the majors. Over 10 career MLB appearances, Mantiply has posted a 13.50 ERA and 2.63 WHIP across eight innings.

Boxberger re-signed Sunday with the Brewers on a minor-league contract.

Milwaukee released Boxberger earlier in the weekend after he was informed he wouldn't break camp with the big club, but he seemingly has renewed hope of making the Opening Day bullpen after reliever Justin Topa experienced elbow discomfort during his appearance in a "B" game Saturday. With manager Craig Counsell confirming that Topa would begin the season on the injured list, Boxberger would be a logical candidate to join the active roster if the Brewers decide to fill Topa's spot with another reliever.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Topa will open the season on the injured list after experiencing elbow discomfort during his appearance Saturday in a "B" game, Sophia Minnaert of Fox Sports Wisconsin reports.

Milwaukee is still awaiting the results of Topa's MRI before providing an updated timeline on his return, but given the nature of his injury, the right-hander seems likely to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the IL. The Brewers had been hoping the hard-throwing Topa -- who logged a 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and struck out 12 over 7.1 innings as a rookie in 2020 -- would fill a key role out of the bullpen to begin the season.

Zimmerman will start the third game of the season against the Red Sox on April 4, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 26-year-old entered spring training under consideration for starting and relief roles, and he'll open the season in the rotation. Zimmerman pitched well throughout camp with only one hit allowed and a 10:3 K:BB over nine scoreless innings during Grapefruit League action.

The Phillies optioned Romero to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Though Romero made his big-league debut in 2020 as a reliever, the Phillies may not be ready to pull the plug on developing the 24-year-old as a starter. Since there wasn't going to be a spot available for him in the Phillies' Opening Day rotation, Romero will instead move to Triple-A in order to pick up regular innings. The Phillies could still keep him near the top of the list for a promotion if the team needs a mop-up man or another lefty option out of the bullpen.

Richards was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 27-year-old surrendered eight runs with an 8:0 K:BB over 7.1 innings during spring training and was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Richards could work as a spot starter or multi-inning reliever if promoted by the Rays this season.

Fleming was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 24-year-old made his major-league debut last season and impressed with a 2.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB over 32.1 innings, but he won't begin 2021 in the big leagues. The move isn't performance related, as Fleming gave up only three hits with an 8:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings during spring training. The young southpaw should receive a starting opportunity for the Rays this season, but he'll open the campaign in the minors.

Abreu allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings in Saturday's spring game against the Mets.

Abreu, who was informed that he made the Opening Day roster prior to starting Saturday's game, could see meaningful usage as a stretched-out, multi-inning reliever during the first few weeks of the regular season. The Astros have two rotation slots not yet stretched out. Cristian Javier, who's scheduled to throw the second game of the regular season, has thrown just 3.1 spring innings. The No. 5 slot will eventually go to Jake Odorizzi, but he needs to build up innings and pitch count before entering the rotation. That means Abreu, Brandon Bielak and Luis Garcia, each stretched out for multiple innings, could see significant usage, and possibly a start, early on.

Raley is projected to claim a roster spot in the Astros' bullpen, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Raley has allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 Grapefruit League innings. The left-hander is expected to be a middle reliever.