MLB Player News

The Angels reassigned Ponce de Leon to their minor-league camp Monday.

Ponce de Leon was one of non-roster invitees sent back to the minors as the Angels look to trim down their big-league camp group ahead of Opening Day. He's expected to slot into the rotation at Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the campaign and will give the Angels some established starting depth in the upper minors. Ponce de Leon has made 22 starts in the majors with St. Louis across the past four seasons, compiling a 4.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 147.2 career innings.

Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

The pitcher failed to appear in any games this spring after having his contract selected by the Angels in November. Peguero struggled in his three outings with the team last season, surrendering seven earned runs in 2.1 innings on the mound. Additionally, he posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in six appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2021.

Brash fired three scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Athletics on Sunday, recording six strikeouts.

The surging right-hander made yet another excellent case for inclusion into the starting rotation, with Danie Kramer of MLB.com reporting Brash utilized all of his high-90s fastball, slider/curveball combination and even a changeup with great effectiveness. Brash's heater also hit 98 mph consistently, leaving him satisfied with how his arsenal is coming along. "The slider is getting there," Brash said. "It usually takes me a little bit, but it was definitely a lot better today and I threw a lot of curveballs; mixed in both today. But yeah, I'm getting a feel for both pitches."

Alcala (finger) gave up a run on a home run in one inning in his spring debut in Sunday's win over Boston.

Alcala had been slowed by a nail tear on his right middle finger, but it doesn't look like it will be an issue for the start of the regular season.

Romero was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Romero made two relief appearances this spring and allowed five runs on eight hits and no walks in two innings. He spent the entire 2021 campaign in Las Vegas and recorded a 6.27 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 74.2 innings across 28 appearances (13 starts).

Logue was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Logue was traded from the Blue Jays to the Athletics in mid-March, but he'll begin the 2022 campaign with the Triple-A club. The southpaw made 18 appearances (17 starts) at Triple-A Buffalo last year and recorded a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 89.1 innings.

Gillaspie was optioned to Double-A Bowie on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gillaspie had a 5.60 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB with Bowie last season and didn't have a realistic chance of making Baltimore's Opening Day roster. He could move up to Triple-A Norfolk before long with a strong start to the Double-A campaign.

Manager Kevin Cash said Fairbanks will "miss some time" after leaving Sunday's spring game against Atlanta with right lat tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear with Fairbanks scheduled for further evaluation Monday, but the early signs point to a stint on the injured list to open the season. Andrew Kittredge and J.P. Feyereisen should be the favorites for save opportunities to start the campaign for Tampa Bay.

Faucher was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher was added to the 40-man roster over the winter after splitting his 2021 season between Double-A and Triple-A. He pitched primarily out of the bullpen and racked up a 1.77 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 26:7 K:BB across 20.1 innings at Triple-A Durham to close the season. Though he won't begin the 2022 campaign in Tampa Bay, Faucher could contribute out of the bullpen at some point.

Fairbanks was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta with right lat tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks threw only five pitches before exiting the field with the training staff, and he'll be evaluated further Monday. The 28-year-old had five saves and 14 holds with a 3.59 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 56:21 K:BB over 42.2 innings last season and is in the mix for save opportunities in 2022 along with Andrew Kittredge and J.P. Feyereisen.