MLB Player News

Ginkel struck out two over a scoreless second inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Ginkel was the first of Arizona's potential closers to throw in Tuesday's game. He was followed by A.J. Puk in the third inning then Justin Martinez in the fourth. Ginkel has experience closing for the Diamondbacks but appears to be behind the other two.

Puk struck out two over a scoreless third inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo trotted out his three potential closers Tuesday, with Puk's inning sandwiched by Kevin Ginkel (second inning) and Justin Martinez (fourth). All three pitched scoreless frames. Martinez was the primary closer over the final two months last season but had a shaky September and walked more than four batters per nine innings. Meanwhile, Puk was electric after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting a 1.32 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with two saves over 30 outings with Arizona.

Martinez walked one and struck out one over a scoreless fourth inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

It was a bullpen day for the Diamondbacks, which gave manager Torey Lovullo a chance to see his three potential closers pitch early enough in the game to see the other team's regulars. Martinez followed Kevin Ginkel (second inning) and A.J. Puk (third inning). Martinez had the toughest task of the three, facing the second, third and four batters in Chicago's order. All three relievers threw scoreless innings, compounding the difficulty of the decision for the manager. Martinez and Puk appear to be the leading candidates, but all three are expected to work high-leverage innings at the back end of the bullpen.

Bielak signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Bielak gave up 17 earned runs over 29.2 innings in the majors between the Astros and Athletics last season. Most of his time was spent in the minors, however, where he still struggled with a 6.08 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 66.2 frames. He'll now attempt to bounce back during spring camp with the Diamondbacks, though his recent performance will most likely keep him in an organizational depth role.

Atlanta reassigned Paredes to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Paredes appeared in one spring training game before being reassigned, giving up one run on three hits over one inning. However, he posted a 1.66 ERA over 21.2 regular-season frames between the Cubs and Brewers last year, so there's still a solid chance he'll pitch for Atlanta in 2025 if his performance holds up in the minors.

Lopez and Jose Ferrer are likely no longer Washington's leading closer candidates after Kyle Finnegan re-signed on a one-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Dave Martinez labeled Lopez and Ferrer as the prime options to close early in camp, but the return of Finnegan, who recorded 38 saves with a 3.68 ERA last season before being non-tendered in November, significantly changes the situation. Lopez had a resurgent 2024 campaign between the Mets and Cubs, finishing with a 2.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 52 regular-season appearances, and he also had some closing experience with the Orioles in 2022. Still, Finnegan will likely have the upper hand after filling the role the past couple years.

Ferrer and Jorge Lopez are likely no longer the leading closer candidates for Washington after Kyle Finnegan re-signed Tuesday on a one-year, $6 million contract, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Finnegan recorded 38 saves as the Nationals closer last year but had a 3.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, leading to him being non-tendered in November. Ferrer had a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across 32 innings last season and was named a candidate to close -- along with Lopez -- by manager Dave Martinez early in spring training. The return of Finnegan could push Ferrer and Lopez down the pecking order for saves.

The Nationals re-signed Finnegan to a one-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Nationals non-tendered Finnegan back in late November to avoid giving him a big raise in arbitration, but he has found his way back to the club three months later on a salary similar to the $5.1 million he made in 2024. Finnegan will probably need some time to get back up to speed, but he immediately becomes the favorite for saves in a Washington bullpen lacking established late-inning options. The 33-year-old notched 38 saves last season, although that came with a relatively uninspiring 3.68 ERA and 60:24 K:BB over 63.2 innings.

Effross will likely undergo testing after exiting a Grapefruit League appearance Tuesday against the Twins with a hamstring injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Effross lasted only one pitch before grabbing at his hamstring and walking off the field with the trainer. The reliever missed all of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and made just 32 appearances between the majors and minors in 2024 while coming back from back surgery.

When asked Tuesday by Foul Territory TV whether Bednar was his closer, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said, "we're not ready to say that."

Shelton did add, however, that "we feel very good with the fact that we have a guy who was a two-time All-Star closer." Bednar looks to be the heavy favorite to emerge with the Pirates' closer job coming out of spring training, but Shelton isn't ready to hand him the responsibility yet after the reliever held a 5.77 ERA in 2024 and finished the season in a low-leverage role. If Bednar struggles this spring, guys like Dennis Santana, Colin Holderman and others could enter the saves mix for Pittsburgh.