MLB Player News

Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Ginkel is likely to begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The right-hander pitched well during camp with one run allowed and an 8:1 K:BB over six frames in the Cactus League, but the shoulder issue surfaced in the last few days and will cost him the start of the campaign. It isn't expected to be a lengthy stay on the injured list, but Ginkel's absence will cement Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk as the primary options at closer to begin the year.

The Reds selected Gibaut's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Gibaut will be part of Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen after he permitted five runs with a 12:3 K:BB in 11 innings this spring. The 31-year-old will likely operate in middle relief.

The Giants selected Trivino's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Trivino had been in camp as a non-roster invitee and won a gig with a stellar showing in Cactus League play, as he tossed 9.1 scoreless innings with a 10:4 K:BB. The 33-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, as he had to overcome Tommy John surgery and also a shoulder issue.

The Royals reassigned Clarke to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Clarke was unable to secure a spot in Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen, despite a strong showing during the Cactus League in which he allowed just two earned runs on six hits and three walks over nine innings. The 31-year-old righty worked as a swingman at Triple-A Nashville in the Brewers organization throughout the 2024 campaign, logging a 4.92 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 64 innings in 21 appearances (14 starts). He looks set to move back into a more traditional relief role in 2025 and is expected to report to Triple-A Omaha.

Hodge, who allowed two runs over one inning during Monday's Cactus League game against Atlanta, has a 5.14 ERA and 10 strikeouts across seven frames this spring.

Hodge is missing plenty of bats during the exhibition slate but has otherwise been a bit underwhelming on the mound. It is a small sample, and the young righty should still be a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs once the regular season begins. Hodge figures to work ahead of offseason acquisition Ryan Pressly, though the former will likely still see save opportunities like he did in 2024, particularly if Pressly struggles or gets hurt.

Brasier allowed four runs on four hits while retiring just one batter in Monday's Cactus League game against Atlanta.

It was a nightmarish outing for Brasier, who allowed three home runs among the five batters he faced. The veteran righty now has an 8.31 ERA this spring, and while his spot in Chicago's bullpen should still be secure, it's not the most promising start to his tenure with the team. Brasier figures to get an opportunity to right the ship once the regular season begins and work in a setup role ahead of Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge, though he could be supplanted by other relievers if his struggles continue.

The White Sox released Altavilla on Tuesday.

While attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, Altavilla made a strong case for a spot in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen after striking out 11 over 9.2 innings in Cactus League play and allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks. However, after the White Sox claimed Rule 5 pick Mike Vasil off waivers over the weekend, Altavilla looks to have been squeezed out of a bullpen spot with the big club. He'll be allowed to pursue opportunities in free agency and shouldn't have much trouble at least landing a minor-league deal after his strong showing in the spring.

Dobnak has been awarded the final spot in the Twins' bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Dobnak was sent to minor-league camp earlier this month, but with Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) slated for injured-list stints, the Twins were in need of bullpen reinforcements. The 30-year-old Dobnak will need to be added to the 40-man and 26-man rosters before Opening Day.

Garcia served up a game-tying solo home run over one inning in Monday's exhibition game against the Royals. He struck out one.

After Garcia coughed up the lead in the top of the seventh, the Rangers re-took the advantage in the bottom of the frame. Manager Bruce Bochy then turned to Chris Martin in the eighth inning and Luke Jackson in the ninth to close out a three-run win. After the game, Bochy said it's "pretty close" to how he plans to deploy his late-inning relievers, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. Bochy did add that the roles are not yet completely defined, so it's possible the order of the three relievers could change.

Martin struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning Monday as the Rangers topped the Royals in exhibition play.

After Robert Garcia pitched the seventh inning, Martin handled the eighth and Luke Jackson closed things out in the ninth. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said it was "pretty close" to how he plans to use his late-inning mix this season, although he added that the roles are not yet completely defined, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. Martin has been viewed as the top candidate to close for the Rangers, but Bochy might be considering him in more of a setup role. It's a situation that still lacks clarity as we close in on Opening Day.