MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Topa to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Acquired from the Brewers in January, Topa had a so-so performance in his first camp with Seattle. The hard-throwing righty turned in a 2.25 ERA and struck out eight batters over eight frames in Cactus League play, but he issued three walks and allowed a .300 average to opposing batters. So long as he steers clear of the health issues that have derailed him the past two seasons, Topa should stand a decent chance of surfacing in Seattle's bullpen at some point in 2023.

Mayza posted a 1.42 ERA and 7:0 K:BB through 6.1 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 31-year-old lefty appeared in only one Grapefruit League game after March 18 as the Blue Jays let their top set-up men get in most of their work on back fields late in camp. Mayza has racked up 52 holds over the last three seasons and figured to be Toronto's top relief option from the port side again in 2023.

Swanson has a 4.05 ERA and 4:2 K:BB through 6.2 innings over seven appearances this spring.

Curiously, the right-hander has appeared in only one Grapefruit League game since March 17, but there's been no indication from the Blue Jays he's battling an injury and he's presumably been getting his work in during minor-league contests. Swanson came over from Seattle this winter in the Teoscar Hernandez trade, and after posting a 1.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 70:10 K:BB and career-high 14 holds in 57 appearances for the M's, he's expected to be one of Toronto's main set-up men ahead of closer Jordan Romano.

Pop appears set to open the season in the big-league bullpen with Mitch White battling elbow soreness, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

White was expected to begin the season as a long reliever if he lost out on the fifth starter role to Yusei Kikuchi, but instead he now appears headed for the injured list. Pop pitched well this spring, posting a 9:1 K:BB through six innings, and he'll likely be used in middle relief in the majors.

The Rays optioned Kelley to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With the Rays shaving down their roster ahead of the 2023 season, Kelley was the latest member of the team's spring roster to be optioned. The right-hander appeared in nine games during spring training, surrendering just one run over 7.2 innings while striking out six batters. Kelley signed a minor-league deal with the Rays' organization in January after struggling to a 6.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 23 punchouts over 23.2 innings with the Brewers in 2022. The 29-year-old has already earned himself a 40-man roster spot and if he can continue to produce like he did this spring, Kelley will likely earn a call-up this summer.

Winder (shoulder) is not expected to be ready for the start of the season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Winder is working his way back from right shoulder soreness this spring. He's thrown batting practice, so he may not be far from being ready. However, he may begin the season at Triple-A.

Sands looks set to make the Opening Day roster for the Twins as a long reliever, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Danny Coulombe and Bailey Ober were sent to Triple-A, which makes it almost certain Sands will begin the season in the majors. Manager Rocco Baldelli said he wants to keep a long reliever in the bullpen, so Sands will fill that role. Despite a 5.55 ERA at Triple-A last season, Sands was called up to the majors several times thanks to a strong strikeout rate (10.5 K/9).

Lopez was returned to the Rays from the Padres on Sunday.

Lopez was selected by the Padres with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, but he was unable to remain on the team's 40-man roster ahead of the regular season. Now that he's back with Tampa, he'll report to Triple-A Durham to begin the year.

Krook was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Krook's contract was selected by the Yankees in November, but he was unable to secure a spot in the major-league bullpen to begin the regular season. Over six Grapefruit League appearances this spring, he posted a 3.75 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 12 innings. The southpaw hasn't yet made his big-league debut, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him do so at some point in 2023.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Ramirez has been reassigned to minor-league camp, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Ramirez, who had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee, made a spirited bid for a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day bullpen after holding opposing hitters to a .188 average while pitching to a 4.15 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 8.2 innings during Grapefruit League play. He'll be in line for an assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when the minor-league season opens next weekend.