MLB Player News

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Mejia had at least a shot of breaking camp in the big leagues after making five starts there last season, but for now he'll wait for another chance at Triple-A. He struggled to a 7.25 ERA in those starts, striking out just 19.0 percent of opposing batters while keeping the ball on the ground a mere 29.3 percent of the time.

Kikuchi walked one and struck out four without allowing a hit over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It was a strong first appearance in a Blue Jays uniform for Kikuchi, who signed with the club earlier this month for three years and $36 million. The 30-year-old lefty couldn't find consistent success in the majors over three seasons with the Mariners, but if he can stick in the Toronto rotation he could be a source of wins and strikeouts in deeper fantasy leagues, even if his ratios may be erratic.

Berrios gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out two.

Facing what looked to be most of Philadelphia's Opening Day lineup, Berrios got hit hard, with a third-inning homer by J.T. Realmuto being the big blow. The results are less important than the fact Berrios got his work in, but fantasy investors would probably like to see a couple better outings before spring training wraps up. The right-hander is coming off a season in which he posted a career-best 3.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26.1 percent strikeout rate over 32 starts and 192 innings between the Twins and Blue Jays, and Berrios is expected to be one of the rotation anchors for a Toronto team with title aspirations.

Luzardo tossed three perfect innings and struck out two in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 24-year-old southpaw touched 99 mph with his fastball while carving up a St. Louis lineup that included Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Dylan Carlson. Luzardo's raw stuff has never been in question, but his ability to command it remains a concern after he posted a 6.61 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 11.0 percent walk rate over 95.1 innings between the A's and Marlins last season. If he can begin to put things together in 2022 though, Miami's already impressive young rotation will be that much stronger.

Alcantara gave up one run on one hit over four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Juan Soto took him deep in the first inning, but there's no shame in losing a battle against arguably the best pure hitter in the game. Alcantara is off to a strong start this spring as he prepares for another Opening Day assignment for the Marlins and looks to build on the 3.16 ERA and 1.09 WHIP he's posted over the last two seasons.

Sanchez (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for at least another month, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander has already been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville and the Marlins are in no hurry to get him back on the mound, so it wouldn't be a surprise if his rest period ends up being even longer. Sanchez underwent shoulder surgery last July and felt discomfort while doing rehab exercises, causing the team to shut him down. The 23-year-old has only thrown 39 innings over the last two seasons, so even if he does finally get healthy over the summer and make it back to the majors, his workload will almost certainly be carefully monitored.

The Rockies optioned Feltner to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Feltner was one of four players on the Rockies' 40-man roster that was dispatched to the minors Thursday, leaving Colorado with 47 players remaining at MLB camp. The 25-year-old right-hander reached the majors for the first time in 2021, making two starts for the Rockies and giving up eight earned runs on nine hits and five walks over 6.1 innings. He's expected to slot into the Albuquerque rotation to begin the upcoming season.

Ynoa gave up two hits over three scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander dealt with injuries in the second half of last season, including shoulder inflammation during the playoffs, but Ynoa looked good in his first appearance this spring. He entered the game in the fourth inning, following Max Fried, and faced a Minnesota squad that trotted out most of its Opening Day lineup. Ynoa could be in the mix for a rotation spot if he proves he's healthy in camp, but the 23-year-old's lack of a third pitch and potential durability issues might make him a better fit in the bullpen.

Fried struck out one batter over three scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

He plunked Byron Buxton with a pitch, but it was otherwise a spotless performance from Fried in his first trip to the mound this spring. The 28-year-old southpaw has emerged as a frontline starter over the last two seasons, posting a combined 2.84 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 39 starts and 221.2 innings, and he'll look to build on that success in 2022.

Wright gave up three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out two.

The 26-year-old right-hander is battling with Tucker Davidson and Kyle Muller in camp for a spot at the back of the Atlanta rotation, and Wright might even be a favorite given that he has slightly more big-league experience than the other two. That said, his 6.56 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 70 innings in the majors isn't a big selling point from a fantasy perspective, but Wright appears to have little left to prove in the minors after posting a 3.02 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 24 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett last year.