MLB Player News

The Marlins reassigned Smeltzer on Monday.

Unless he negotiates a release from his minor-league deal with Miami, Smeltzer is likely to open the season as a swingman for the pitching staff at Triple-A Jacksonville. Smeltzer is heading into his second season with the Miami organization after he compiled a 6.45 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings at the big-league level in 2023.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Holderman hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since last Tuesday while he recovers from a virus, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

A bug seems to be making its way around the Pirates' spring facility in Bradenton, Fla., as Shelton also noted that infielder Liover Peguero hasn't been available since last Wednesday due to an illness. Assuming Holderman is able to make a full recovery by the end of the week, he should still be in good shape to travel north with the Pirates for the start of the regular season.

Lopez will open the season as Atlanta's fifth starter after the team optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez had appeared to be the frontrunner for the final rotation spot throughout the spring, but Atlanta didn't make it official until Elder was removed from the competition Monday. In his transition from the bullpen to a starting role this spring, Lopez was impressive over his 16.2 innings, allowing four runs with a 13:6 K:BB. History suggests that Lopez's best role is as a reliever, and the expectation is that he could see usage in both the rotation and the bullpen this season. He'll at least make for a viable deep-league fantasy target while he's starting and has the backing of an elite Atlanta offense.

Moll (shoulder) has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll entered training camp behind schedule and hasn't yet pitched in a major-league spring training game, but he has been able to put in work and is ahead of teammate Alex Young (back). With Young set to begin the season on the injured list, the Reds have a greater need for Moll as a lefty specialist, which might lead to a few more opportunities to record holds early on.

The Nationals reassigned Gsellman to minor-league camp Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals at the end of January. The pitcher left affiliated ball in 2022 to pursue a career in Japan. Overseas, he had a 4.32 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 139.2 innings. When he signed with the Nationals, it was thought the 30-year-old would likely start at Triple-A Rochester.

The Nationals reassigned Perdomo to minor-league camp Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Perdomo signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals in February that included an invitation to spring training. The pitcher spent the 2023 season in Japan, where he had a 2.13 ERA across 50.2 innings as a reliever.

Henderson left Sunday's Spring Breakout game versus Kansas City due to left oblique discomfort, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson began his outing by giving up a solo home run to Royals prospect Trevor Werner. Henderson then faced a second batter but was taken out of the game when the trainer went out to the mound after he threw a pitch.

The Pirates optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Nicolas finished last season in the big-league bullpen but is now on the outside looking in for the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old had a 6.20 ERA over 45 innings at Indianapolis last season, and he'll likely need better results in 2024 to make it back to the majors.

The Cubs optioned Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Thompson was one of five players cut Sunday as the Cubs reduced their group at big-league camp to 42 men with Opening Day about a week and a half away. The right-hander had a decent showing in spring training, but his underwhelming results over a larger sample of work in the big leagues in 2023 (4.71 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 26:19 K:BB in 28.2 innings) likely played a greater part in the Cubs' decision to send him to Triple-A to begin the 2024 campaign.

Wesneski may be squeezed off the Cubs' Opening Day roster due to Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both being likely to secure roles, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Wicks is the current favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, while Assad will likely shift to a long-relief role. That could push Wesneski off the roster entirely, as it may be more beneficial for his development if he's starting regularly at Triple-A Iowa. The righty could have some fantasy upside if he pushes into Chicago's rotation at some point, though for now, his appeal is limited.