MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told reporters after Tuesday's game that Suarez has a chance to make the Opening Day roster after a strong showing in spring training, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Suarez threw 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball during Tuesday's Grapefruit League appearance, and he hasn't given up a run in his eight innings of work in Florida. Marmol notes that Suarez's velocity has ticked up in relief, and that he's getting hitters to make "defensive swings" on his fastball and breaking ball. The Cardinals will need to add Suarez to the 40-man roster in order to include him on the Opening Day roster, but it sounds like his work in the exhibition games has given St. Louis something to think about.

The Pirates reassigned Mlodzinski to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Mlodzinski struggled last season with Double-A Altoona, putting up a 4.78 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, but a 9.5 K/9 and 3.45 FIP suggest there is more under the surface with the 24-year-old righty. He's had a solid spring thus far and will likely return to Double-A to start the year, but there's a good chance he reaches Triple-A before the end of the season.

Bolton was reassigned to minor-league camp by Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

In his first full season since 2019, Bolton spent all of 2022 in Triple-A and put up a solid 3.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 82 strikeouts through 75.2 frames. If the 24-year-old reliever is able to maintain those numbers, there's a chance he makes his major-league debut at some point this year.

Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Ramirez pitched 27 innings for Pittsburgh last season, posting a 3.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He's struggled this spring, however, allowing 10 earned runs through 5.1 frames, so the Pirates will give him a chance to settle in with Triple-A Indianapolis. If he's able to bring his numbers back down, he could rejoin the Pirates' bullpen during the season.

Gilbreath (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Gilbreath underwent Tommy John surgery last week, so a move to the 60-day IL was inevitable. He's been dealing with issues in his left elbow since August and likely won't be able to return until 2024 at the earliest. Gilbreath's placement on the injured list also frees up a spot for Jurickson Profar, who signed with Colorado on Sunday.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday that Stephenson (elbow) is likely to open the season on the injured list, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday afternoon against the Phillies, but he issued two walks and gave up two hits in his one inning of work. The 30-year-old right-hander has been slowed all spring by lingering elbow soreness, and the Pirates apparently feel like he needs more recovery time.

Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Peguero joined the Brewers organization in November as part of the trade package from the Angels for outfielder Hunter Renfroe. The 26-year-old reliever holds a career 9.15 ERA in 19.2 innings of work at the major-league level.

Cousins was optioned to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Cousins had surrendered seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks through six innings of work this spring in the Cactus League. He should get another look in the Milwaukee bullpen at some point in the early part of the 2023 season.

Hudson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hudson had allowed six earned runs on 17 hits and four walks through 8.2 innings this spring in Grapefruit League play, which works out to a 6.23 ERA and 2.42 WHIP. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 3.14 ERA across his first 249.2 major-league innings between 2018-2021, but the underlying metrics have always been poor and his stock continues to drastically tumble. He'll presumably work out of the rotation with Memphis.

Yates walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The veteran reliever has thrown only 11.1 big-league innings over the last three seasons due to various injuries, including Tommy John surgery two years ago, but he's been healthy in camp as he attempts to make a comeback. Yates has served up two homers in six innings, leading to a 9.00 spring ERA, but his 8:2 K:BB indicates he's still got the ability to miss bats. The 35-year-old is ticketed for middle-relief duty in a crowded Atlanta bullpen that already has A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez locked into setup roles in front of closer Raisel Iglesias, but Yates could still have some fantasy value in deeper formats if he's able to recapture something close to his pre-injury form.