MLB Player News

Atlanta assigned Diekman to minor-league camp Sunday.

Diekman signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in February after appearing in 43 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He opened spring training with five scoreless outings but gave up four earned runs over his last two appearances. The 38-year-old southpaw will likely be dispatched to Triple-A Gwinnett but could see major-league action at some point in 2025.

Cruz was optioned by the Royals to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Cruz had a good showing during spring training, posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across seven frames. The 25-year-old right-hander didn't allow a run in 5.2 big-league innings last season and could be among the first players called up when the Royals bullpen needs reinforcements.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Bowlan gave up one earned run over his first six spring outings but struggled against the Reds on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over 1.2 innings. He appeared in 35 games (16 starts) with Omaha last season and posted a 12-4 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 98:34 K:BB across 104 innings.

Leiter (back) did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Leiter was scheduled to pitch against the Tigers on Thursday, but he was scratched due to a back injury. It's unclear whether his absence Sunday morning was due to aggravating the injury. Leiter was traded by the White Sox to the Yankees in late July, and across 21.2 regular-season innings with the Bronx Bombers he posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.

After tossing two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Hanifee now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 7.1 innings this spring along with seven strikeouts.

Hanifee was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings after getting called up to the majors in early August. The righty often served as an opener and gave Detroit some length out of the bullpen. Based on his strong showing last year and impressive spring so far, Hanifee should have a roster spot locked up, and he may see more high-leverage work as the season progresses.

The Rockies optioned Gilbreath to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2023, Gilbreath didn't make his 2024 season debut until last August. He then underwent neurogenic thoracic surgery near his left neck/shoulder in the offseason, which limited him to one outing in spring training. The southpaw will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but he should be in the mix for a promotion when the Rockies need bullpen depth.

Castellano is a candidate to win a spot in the bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. The Rule 5 pick threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Castellano has a 6.75 ERA with a 12:8 K:BB in eight innings this spring. Walks have been a major issue for the right-hander, so it was a good sign that he didn't issue any free passes Saturday. The Twins may use him in low-leverage spots until injured veterans Michael Tonkin (shoulder), Brock Stewart (knee) and Justin Topa (shoulder) are able to return. Castellano has touched 98 mph with his fastball this spring, and his upside gives Minnesota incentive to find a way to keep him rather than returning him to the Phillies.

The Twins announced Sunday that Canterino underwent season-ending surgery this week to tighten the ligaments in his shoulder, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Canterino missed the past two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a rotator cuff strain, and he'll be sidelined for a third straight campaign. He had a 1.83 ERA across 34.1 innings at the Double-A level in 2022.

Tonkin (right shoulder strain) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Tonkin is apparently making progress but won't be ready in time for Opening Day. He last pitched Feb. 28. The Twins bullpen will be a little thin at the start of the regular season with Tonkin, Brock Stewart (knee) and Justin Topa (shoulder) all dealing with injuries.

Diaz allowed five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over a third of an inning in Saturday's Cactus League game against Kansas City.

Diaz, who was delayed getting into Cactus League games after dealing with a hamstring issue early in camp, struggled during his third spring appearance. "It's his third outing. Certainly, we've got to lock it in here. We've got about another week," Reds manager Terry Francona said about Cincinnati's closer to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. At some point during the outing, Francona and a team trainer visited the mound because the right-hander's thumb was bleeding. Diaz remained in the game and walked the next batter before being removed. Francona said the cut on his thumb, which was exacerbated by the pitcher's thumbnail, had nothing to do with Diaz's troubles.