MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia was in the mix for a back-end bullpen spot to begin the season, but he'll instead head back to Iowa, where he spent most of the 2024 campaign. The righty ultimately appeared in 10 games for the Cubs last season and will serve as organizational depth once again in 2025.

Rogers has allowed just one run with a 10:4 K:BB over seven innings during his first seven Cactus League outings this spring.

Alexis Diaz has made just three appearances this spring due to injury and was roughed up his last time out. The Reds will have him pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday as he works on his issues. With Diaz's status looking shaky, Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and perhaps others could have an opportunity to stake claim on the Cincinnati closer job. Rogers has the most ninth-inning experience of the bunch and performed well last season with the Giants, posting a 2.40 ERA and 64:22 K:BB over 60 innings.

Diaz will pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was shelled for five runs on three hits and three walks while recording just one out in his last Cactus League appearance Saturday. Reds manager Terry Francona had a less than favorable review of Diaz's outing afterward, saying the reliever has "got to lock it in here," per Sheldon. It appears the team has determined the best spot for Diaz to attempt to get back on track, at least initially, is in a less pressurized situation. Diaz has made only three appearances this spring due to a hamstring issue and he also developed a cut on his right thumb during Saturday's appearance, although Francona contended that the thumb issue had nothing to do with Diaz's struggles in the outing. The 28-year-old entered camp as the clear favorite to serve as the Reds' closer, but his grip on the job might be tenuous. Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow loom as closer alternatives if Francona wants to go in another direction, with Rogers perhaps the favorite of the bunch.

Young traveled back to Cincinnati to be examined by the Reds' orthopedist to determine whether he needs Tommy John surgery, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's not clear when Young was injured, but he last appeared in a Cactus League game March 8 and was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday. The Reds should have more information on his status later this week.

The Blue Jays selected Lovelady's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Manager John Schneider said Monday that Lovelady is still competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the Blue Jays elected to go ahead and add him to their 40-man roster now, likely due to an opt-out in the reliever's minor-league contract. Lovelady does not have minor-league options left, so he would need to go through waivers first if the club wanted to send him to Buffalo. The southpaw has allowed five runs (four earned) with an 8:3 K:BB in seven innings this spring.

The Mets reassigned Gose to minor-league camp Monday.

Gose has turned in a 4.78 ERA and 41:17 K:BB in 32 innings over parts of three seasons in the majors as a pitcher since he made the conversion from the outfield earlier in his career, but the 34-year-old lefty was attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and faced an uphill battle to win a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen. He's likely to begin the season in a relief role at Triple-A Syracuse.

The White Sox reassigned Heasley to minor-league camp Monday.

Heasley, 28, attended camp as a non-roster invitee after he had previously turned in a 5.89 ERA and 89:55 K:BB in 139 career innings in the big leagues over parts of the last four seasons. Though he was sharp over his four Cactus League appearances in allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless frames, Heasley will need to distinguish himself over a larger sample at Triple-A Charlotte before he gets a look with the White Sox.

The White Sox reassigned Dunn to minor-league camp Monday.

Dunn previously made 32 big-league starts from 2019 through 2022 with the Mariners and Reds, but he faced long odds to break camp with the White Sox after missing most of the last two seasons due to shoulder problems. The 29-year-old righty has stayed healthy in camp and has been effective over his four Cactus League appearances, allowing just one earned run on three hits and four walks while striking out two over eight innings. If Dunn can carry that success over to Triple-A Charlotte to begin the season, he could put himself in consideration for a promotion to the big club.

Hamilton (infection) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hamilton has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game because of an infection, but if he gets through Monday's session without any issues he should be cleared for games later this week. The Yankees remain hopeful that Hamilton will be ready in time for Opening Day.

Imanaga -- who will start Tuesday's opener against the Dodgers in Tokyo -- has allowed seven runs with a 13:2 K:BB over 11 Cactus League innings this spring.

Imanaga has served up three home runs but has been elite in terms of his K:BB, which essentially sums up what he did during his rookie season with the Cubs, as well. The left-hander faces a tall task in going up against the Dodgers' lineup in his first outing of the season. Imanaga threw 75 pitches in his last Cactus League start a week ago, so he should be available for 85-to-90 or so pitches Tuesday.