MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Bigge to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Bigge has permitted just two runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings during Grapefruit League action but nonetheless will begin the season at Durham. The hard-throwing righty should be back in the big-league bullpen sooner rather than later.

The Rays optioned Orze to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Orze has been excellent during Grapefruit League play, posting a 1.42 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 6.1 frames. However, he has minor-league options remaining, and the Rays will take advantage of that.

Strahm (shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

If that goes well, he will pitch in the Phillies' Grapefruit League finale Monday, setting him up to be ready to go for Opening Day. Strahm's last game appearance came on March 5, as he's been shelved by a left shoulder impingement that's caused inflammation.

Imanaga will not start either of the Cubs' first two games during their March 27-30 series against the Diamondbacks, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Imanaga started the first game of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers and spun four scoreless innings. However, he will have to wait until at least the third game back in the states, as the Cubs will go with Justin Steele in their domestic opener and follow him with Jameson Taillon.

Brieske has given up four runs with a 5:1 K:BB over six innings during spring training, and he is expected to be an option to close out games for manager A.J. Hinch this season.

The right-hander recorded just one save during the regular season last year but recorded two more in the playoffs as he finished the year as one of Hinch's most-trusted relievers. Including the postseason, Brieske had a 1.91 ERA across his final 37.2 frames in 2024, priming him to fill a high-leverage role this year. Hinch isn't officially expected to name a closer in the near future, but Brieske, Tyler Holton and Jason Foley should be the main options for saves, with Foley being the early favorite after recording 28 saves during the regular season last year.

Newcomb may be the slight favorite to open the season as the Red Sox' fifth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Richard Fitts will handle the fourth spot, while Newcomb looks to have a bit of an edge over Quinn Priester for the final opening in the rotation while the Red Sox deal with multiple pitching injuries. It's been an unlikely re-emergence for Newcomb, who boasts a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings. The lefty hasn't been used as a regular starter in the majors since 2018.

Fitts is likely to open the season as the Red Sox' fourth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the season on the injured list, the Red Sox are needing to dip into their rotation depth. Fitts has earned the opportunity by collecting a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. Sean Newcomb and Quinn Priester are fighting for the final spot in Boston's rotation.

Garrett seems locked into a spot on the Opening Day roster, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off a breakout campaign in 2024, and Garrett has picked up where he left off this spring with a 0.00 ERA and 9:1 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings. He racked up 14 holds in 53 appearances last season and stands a good chance of topping that number in 2025 as part of the setup crew for Edwin Diaz.

Young will likely win a spot on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

The 30-year-old would provide the Mets' bullpen with a second lefty behind A.J. Minter, who still isn't guaranteed to avoid a brief IL stint to begin the year after undergoing hip surgery last August. Young has a 3:0 K:BB over three Grapefruit League innings this spring, and after posting a 4.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB over 37.2 regular-season innings in 2024, he'll likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck was competing for a spot in the Giants' bullpen. He's mostly been used as a starter in the minors and could stay stretched out while at Sacramento.