MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Morgan to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Ryan Herrera of JustBaseball.com reports.

Morgan was on the roster for the two-game series versus the Dodgers in Tokyo, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings in the first contest. However, he will not be part of the roster for the Cubs' domestic opener next week. Morgan was acquired from the Guardians via trade over the offseason.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Thursday that Junk will be stretched out in the wake of the injury to Ryan Weathers (forearm), Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Connor Gillispie had already seemed likely to take Edward Cabrera's (blister) spot in the rotation, and now Junk might be the favorite to open the season among the team's starting five as well. Junk has made one start and four relief appearances this spring, allowing six runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 10.1 frames. The 29-year-old has made seven starts and eight relief appearances at the big-league level, compiling a 6.75 ERA.

Otanez (shoulder) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Otanez is just a few days into a 10-day shutdown period with a right shoulder impingement, so it's not a surprise he'll require an IL stint. How long that stint lasts will depend on how Otanez's shoulder responds to rest and a subsequent throwing program.

Diaz sat 93-95 mph with his fastball during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, according to the stadium radar gun, and Statcast has him averaging 95.7 mph with his four-seamer this spring, his lowest mark since 2020, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stadium guns aren't always reliable, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says he isn't concerned -- he indicated after Wednesday's outing that the closer had hit 97 mph in a back-field game recently. Still, Diaz's velocity has been on the decline since his 2023 ACL surgery, and he averaged 99 mph the spring prior to that injury. If the 30-year-old right-hander has lost some of his heat, he'll need to compensate with better control -- his 9.3 percent walk rate last season was his highest mark since 2020. Even if he can't regain his elite form or consistent triple-digit fastball, Diaz is still locked in as the Mets' closer.

Fitts allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over four-plus innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League start against Detroit.

Fitts was on the bump for his third Grapefruit League start (fifth appearance) and experienced his first bout of adversity. His day ended after giving up a leadoff home run in the fifth inning on his 73rd pitch. Although manager Alex Cora has not yet announced which starter candidates will make up the back end of the rotation, Fitts looks primed to open the season as one of the five starters. He has a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the regular season on the injured list, Fitts could get a few turns in April.

Swanson (forearm) resumed a throwing program Wednesday and "felt good," per Blue Jays manager John Schneider, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It's the beginning of what will be a deliberate ramp-up as Swanson works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. The right-handed reliever will begin the season on the 15-day injured list and should be expected to miss at least the first month or so of the season.

Pop will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop felt discomfort in his pitching elbow following his last Grapefruit League appearance Monday. While an MRI didn't show any structural damage, he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days and will require an IL stint.

The Astros optioned Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The left-handed reliever missed all of the 2024 campaign following thoracic outlet surgery. While Sousa was healthy this spring, he had a shaky Grapefruit League showing, allowing seven runs on 13 hits and three walks over 7.2 innings.

In discussing Arizona's closer role, manager Torey Lovullo mentioned Mantiply as someone that could get save opportunities, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "I don't want to dismiss Joe Mantiply," Lovullo said. "He's really good against lefties. So I don't know what the answer is, but I'll probably go more matchup based for right now until it's the right time to make that decision."

Lovullo feels all the candidates to close, which include Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, have thrown well this spring. There's still a handful of Cactus League games the manager can use to evaluate, but this process could play out into the regular season. Mantiply has a 1.35 ERA with three walks and three strikeouts over 6.2 spring innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo may hold off on naming a closer prior to Opening Day, which means Ginkel remains an option to earn saves during the regular season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo maintains his preference is to have one primary closer, but he believes none of the group that includes Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk have separated from the pack. "Everyone's thrown really well," Lovullo said. " I want somebody to emerge in the moment and see where that goes." The manager also meditated on various late-game scenarios, where it might make sense to use a lefty or righty matchup in the ninth inning. Lovullo also mentioned lefty Joe Mantiply could be used in a specific matchup.