MLB Player News

Alcala is expected to be included in Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. He's thrown nine scoreless innings with a 5:2 K:BB ratio this spring.

Given Alcala's 3.24 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 54 outings in 2024, his roster status shouldn't really be in question, but the Twins curiously sent him to the minors several times last year. Alcala has outstanding velocity with an average fastball of 97.9 mph, reaching a career-high 101.2 mph last summer. His strikeout rates haven't been as overpowering (8.95 K/9 last season) as he's struggled to get hitters to chase with a 19th percentile chase rate, but he limits hard contact (91st percentile hard-hit rate). He should be in the setup mix again this season if he can stay healthy and could be a good source of holds.

The Rays optioned Sulser to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Sulser was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Rays' latest round of roster cuts. The 34-year-old reliever split time between the Triple-A level and the majors in 2024 between his stops in the Mets and Rays organizations. He made 10 big-league appearances and turned in a 2.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 16.1 innings.

The Rays optioned Waguespack to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Despite putting just six baserunners on and striking out seven over six innings in Grapefruit League play, Waguespack was unable to secure a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen. The 31-year-old righty will begin the season at Durham, where he could operate as a swingman after starting in four of his nine appearances for the affiliate in 2024.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that he probably won't name a closer at the start of the season and instead will play matchups with Martinez and others, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

A.J. Puk and Kevin Ginkel also figure to be squarely in the mix for saves as Lovullo sorts through his late-inning options. Martinez recorded eight of the team's 11 traditional saves during the final two months of last season, while Puk notched two and Ryan Thompson had the other.

The Brewers reassigned Yoho to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Yoho was arguably the team's most impressive pitcher this spring, allowing just one run and two hits with a 12:3 K:BB over 7.1 innings. However, he's not yet on the 40-man roster, and that worked against him breaking camp with the big club. Yoho should still receive his first promotion to the majors later in 2025.

The Rangers optioned Robert to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Robert will miss out on a spot in the Texas bullpen to open the season after a rough spring in which he allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. The 30-year-old righty was previously summoned to the big leagues on two occasions last season, making four appearances for the Rangers. He otherwise spent the entire 2024 campaign at Round Rock, where he turned in a 2.70 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 52:13 K:BB across 43.1 innings.

Leiter (back) completed an 18-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Leiter said after the workout that he feels ready to go for Opening Day, but the Yankees will likely want to see him pitch in at least one or two more Grapefruit League or minor-league games this spring before locking him into their bullpen to begin the season. The right-hander last pitched in the Grapefruit League on March 6 before the back injury cropped up.

Atlanta returned Pilar to Miami on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

A Rule 5 selection over the winter, Pilar fanned 12 batters in 5.2 Grapefruit League innings but has also walked six and permitted nine runs. The 27-year-old should open the 2025 season in the Triple-A Jacksonville bullpen, but he'll no longer possess a 40-man roster spot as he rejoins his previous organization.

The Diamondbacks reassigned McGough to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Arizona declined McGough's $4 million team option for 2025 in November before bringing him back on a minor-league deal in February and allowing him to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. After turning in a 7.44 ERA over 26 appearances with the big club in 2024, McGough didn't do much this spring to demonstrate that his performance turned a corner, as he was lit up for six earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. The 35-year-old righty will likely open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Reno.

The Diamondbacks optioned Jameson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

After sitting out the entire 2024 season while recovering from his September 2023 Tommy John surgery, Jameson seemingly operated with no restrictions to begin camp, but having two minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. Before getting demoted, Jameson made six relief appearances in Cactus League play, giving up one earned run on five hits and three walks while striking out four. He'll work out of the bullpen in Reno and should rank near the top of the list for a call-up early on in the season when Arizona requires an extra relief arm.