MLB Player News

Bradford allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three over three scoreless inning in Friday's spring start against the Cubs.

This was Bradford's second Cactus League start, and the left-hander upped his pitch count to 48 (34 strikes). Among those 48 pitches, 26 were the four-seam fastball, which induced eight called strikes or whiffs, per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. "Extension helps a lot," the 27-year-old said of his fastball. "It's got a little bit of a hop. There's some vert to it. It's pretty efficient. And, probably, I'd say, command [makes a difference]." Bradford looks primed to push for a rotation spot; he's yet to allow a run over five innings this spring, striking out five and walking one.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said earlier this month that Puk being left-handed "wouldn't be an issue for me" when considering his options for the ninth inning, Jack Sommers of Arizona Diamondbacks on SI reports.

The other two Arizona closer candidates -- Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel -- are both righties, which is the handedness managers often prefer in the role. However, it does not appear that will factor into Lovullo's decision. Puk was dominant for the Diamondbacks last season after being acquired from the Marlins, posting a 1.32 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB over 27.1 innings.

Reid-Foley (shoulder) is out of minor-league options, making him a favorite to win a spot at the back of the Mets' bullpen if he proves in spring training that he's healthy, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander is being brought along carefully in camp from a right shoulder impingement that ended his 2024 campaign early. Reid-Foley was effective in the Mets' bullpen last season when he was on the mound however, posting a 1.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings. If he sees Grapefruit League action soon, he should still have time to get ready for Opening Day.

Stanek is expected to handle eighth-inning duties alongside A.J. Minter (hip) in front of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stanek didn't exactly thrive during his time in New York in 2024 after being acquired from Seattle, posting a 6.06 ERA with a win and three holds in 17 regular-season appearances, but his 23:8 K:BB over 16.1 innings was enough to convince the Mets to bring him back on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with incentives. The 33-year-old has been an effective setup man in the past, recording 38 holds with a 2.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 145:68 K:BB over 123 innings in 2021-22 for the Astros. If Stanek struggles in a high-leverage role this season, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Nunez (elbow) and Jose Butto are all candidates to step into his spot.

Hall (lat) said Friday he hopes to be cleared to start playing catch next week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hall suffering a lat strain earlier in February and appears to be nearing the end of his shutdown period. The left-hander will need to resume throwing soon to have a chance of being fully built up by Opening Day. Any additional delays could mean Hall begins the campaign on the IL.

Jansen (shoulder) will make his spring debut Saturday against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports

Jansen ended the 2024 season on the shelf with shoulder inflammation, but it wasn't expected to be an issue that lingered into this year. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Angels earlier in February and should open the year in the closer role, with Ben Joyce learning from him. Jansen is 32 saves away from moving ahead of Lee Smith for third all time in MLB's career rankings.

Tarnok will be held out of game action for two weeks after rolling his left ankle, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tarnok is in Marlins camp as a non-roster invitee. He probably wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster regardless, but this injury should seal his fate in that regard.

Hoeing (shoulder) began playing catch Monday, per MLB.com.

Hoeing has been battling right shoulder soreness, but his ability to resume throwing -- albeit not off a mound -- suggests that the injury may not be serious. There's a chance the right-hander could still be ready for Opening Day, in which case he'll likely serve in long-relief role.

Trivino threw a scoreless inning while striking out two in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Trivino has not appeared in a big-league game since 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Thursday's outing marked his Cactus League debut. He had success for several years out of the Athletics' bullpen spanning 2018-21 and is in the Giants' camp as a non-roster invitee. If Trivino proves to be healthy, he should gain consideration as an option to break camp with the big-league club.

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Thursday.

Martinez was claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks last Thursday, and after just a week with the Marlins he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Brett de Geus, who was picked up off waivers from Pittsburgh. Martinez finished last season with a 3.59 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 52.2 regular-season innings with the Astros, so there could still be several teams willing to give him a spot on their 40-man instead.