MLB Player News

Fernandez appears to have won a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster after the team optioned John King to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A Rule 5 pick in December, Fernandez posted a 3.72 ERA with six strikeouts and one walk across 9.2 innings in Grapefruit League play. The right-hander generated a bloated 6.46 ERA across 30.2 innings with Triple-A Worcester in 2023, but the Cardinals apparently saw enough this spring to invest a roster spot in him and thereby prevent Fernandez from reverting to the Red Sox organization. He and King had been competing for the final spot in the St. Louis bullpen, but barring any outside additions ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Dodgers, Fernandez will soon make his MLB debut.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Tuesday that King will be optioned to Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

King was scheduled to face hitters Sunday at the Cardinals' spring training complex but was unable to due to illness, and the left-hander did not travel with the team to Arizona for its two exhibition games against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday. The 29-year-old struggled early in spring training, but he allowed no runs in his final three Grapefruit League outings before the illness surfaced. With King heading to the minors, Ryan Fernandez will nab the final bullpen spot on the Opening Day roster.

Stephens cleared waivers Tuesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Stephens will lose his spot on the 40-man roster, which will likely be given to the newly-signed Jesse Chavez. Stephens gave up three runs in 7.1 innings during spring training and turned in a 3.00 ERA in 12 big-league innings last season, so he could still be in consideration for a promotion should Atlanta run into depth problems in its bullpen.

The Nationals selected Law's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Law made the team as a non-roster invitee after tossing 9.1 scoreless innings this spring. The 33-year-old reliever should operate in a middle-relief role for the Nats.

The Padres optioned Estrada to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Cubs in November and didn't allow an earned run in one frame against the Dodgers during the Korea Series last week, though he did give up a hit and two walks. Estrada spent much of last season at the Triple-A level and had a 5.97 ERA and 42:26 K:BB over 28.2 innings, and he'll likely need to improve upon those numbers to receive another look with the Padres.

The Padres optioned Vasquez to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Vasquez was in the mix this spring for the final spot in the Padres' rotation, but he struggled in Cactus League action with a 6.23 ERA and 9:5 K:BB over 8.2 frames. He still seems like a good bet to make a good number of starts for San Diego this season, but for now, he'll join El Paso's rotation.

Thompson moves up a spot in the bullpen following the news that closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will open the season on the injured list.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo didn't immediately name any one reliever as a replacement closer, although he did tell Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that there is "a very logical choice." By that, Lovullo was referring to Kevin Ginkel, who is expected to serve as the primary closer while Sewald heals. Lovullo also said he is not going to "anoint anybody to close right now," leaving the door open for others, like Thompson. He was an important late-inning, setup reliever after being traded to the Diamondbacks during the stretch drive in 2023. Thompson recorded a 0.69 ERA over 13 innings in the regular season and was a featured high-leverage option during the postseason. The right-hander continued his fine work this spring, allowing one unearned run over seven innings.

Jarvis will begin the season as a reliever, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Jarvis was nominally in the mix for the rotation this spring, but Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry earned slots ahead of him. As such, Jarvis moves to the bullpen, where he'll serve as the Diamondbacks' long arm in a multi-inning role. He could be relied upon early as Arizona navigates an injury to Eduardo Rodriguez (lat).

Ginkel is the most likely option to close for the Diamondbacks while Paul Sewald (oblique) is sidelined, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald could be facing a fairly lengthy absence after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. While manager Torey Lovullo didn't want to name a closer in Sewald's absence, but all signs point to Ginkel getting the first crack at the job. The 30-year-old collected a 2.48 ERA and 70:23 K:BB over 65.1 frames during the regular season for Arizona last season, picking up four saves along the way. Ginkel also spun 11.2 shutout innings with a 15:5 K:BB during the postseason.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Sewald has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will start the season on the injured list, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald had a productive spring training, as he allowed no runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings. It's unclear when he sustained the injury, but the right-hander will spend time on the IL to start the 2024 season. With Sewald out, Kevin Ginkel is the most likely candidate to close for the Diamondbacks in the interim.