MLB Player News

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel gave up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings in Tuesday's start against the Rangers.

It was just the second Cactus League start of the spring for Hammel, who's trying to win a spot in the back of the rotation. He's posted a 4.50 ERA and 6:5 K:BB ratio in eight innings.

It was only a matter of time, but the Mets finally made the move Tuesday, sending top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard to minor-league camp.

"No matter how well I threw during spring training, whether I struck out everybody and didn't allow any runs whatsoever, I think I still was going to go over to the minor league side regardless," Syndergaard said, per MLB.com. "I know there's a business standpoint to it and there's other things I need to work on on the mound."

Syndergaard posted a 5.19 ERA in four spring starts, striking out 10 batters and walking five over 8 2/3 innings. He will open the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, with a likely promotion to the majors this summer.

"The message was, 'We'll see you pretty soon,' basically," Syndergaard said. "That's always a good thing to hear."

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke threw 42 pitches in four innings in a minor-league game Monday, allowing one hit and no runs.

Grienke wasn't able to make the trip to Australia for the team's opening series, but he could be ready for the start of the team's schedule stateside. He has been limited by a calf injury this spring.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez got plenty of run support during a 10-7 win Monday against the Mets, but the right-handed hurler did his part as well. He allowed just one run on three hits and two walks, while striking out five in four innings.

Alvarez (2-1) kept New York off the scoreboard until Anthony Recker had a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning. Alvarez has a 1.69 ERA through three spring starts. He's allowed just two runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood has been pitching well all spring, and he had another gem Monday against the Astros. Wood kept his ERA unblemished with five scoreless innings during a 4-0 rain-shortened win (game called after five innings).

Wood (1-0) allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out a spring-high six batters. The lefty has allowed just one unearned run in 14 innings. He's given up 11 hits and two walks, while recording 12 strikeouts.

The Nationals made a some roster moves Monday. They optioned outfielder Eury Perez and outfielder Steven Souza to Triple-A Syracuse, while optioning pitcher Sammy Solis to Double-A Harrisburg.

Also, the Nationals reassigned infielder Mike Fontenot, outfielder Brian Goodwin and catcher Koyie Hill to minor-league camp.

Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu put together a solid outing in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Ryu allowed a run on a sacrifice fly in the second and a solo home run to Nolan Arenado in the sixth. He yielded two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits and no walks while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed four runs over 16 1/3 innings pitched in four Grapefruit League starts.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles endured some struggles on Sunday, raising his Cactus League ERA from 1.13 to 2.92 in a 3-3 tie to the Dodgers.

Lyles surrendered three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over 4 1/3 innings of work. He has allowed four earned runs over 12 1/3 innings pitched in four appearances (three starts).

Nationals pitcher Sammy Solis took to the mound Sunday against the Tigers for the first time since March 2. He had been sidelined due to back spasms.

The time off seemed to benefit Solis, who tossed two scoreless innings in relief of Jordan Zimmermann. He allowed one walk and no hits, while recording no strikeouts. Solis has tossed four scoreless innings this spring.

Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi had another strong performance during his third spring start Sunday against the Yankees. Eovaldi held New York to one run on four hits and no walks, while striking out three in four innings.

The only run -- his first earned run allowed this spring -- Eovaldi would allow Sunday came off a Zelous Wheeler ground-rule double in the second inning. The right-handed hurler has a 1.13 ERA. he has allowed eight hits and one walk, while striking out eight in eight innings.