MLB Player News

Mejia was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mejia was unable to settle in with the Brewers in 2022, as he was knocked around for six runs (five earned) on five hits and five walks while fanning one over two appearances prior to being sent down. However, He'll be a candidate for a mid-season promotion if continues to show good stuff in the minors. Mejia fared much better at Triple-A Nashville last season with a 2.76 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 33:13 K:BB across 29.1 innings.

Uribe was optioned Monday to Double-A Biloxi, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Uribe reached Double-A for two appearances in 2022, and it looks like the right-hander will return to Biloxi to open this season. The right-hander was limited to just those two games because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he shows a fastball that can touch triple digits and a swing-and-miss slider, and he could make his MLB debut sometime this summer.

Montes de Oca was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow Monday, Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports reports.

There is no ligament damage in the elbow, which is good news. Montes de Oca will be shut down for about a week before being re-evaluated. It looks to be a positive diagnosis, all things considered, but one which could still lead to a stint on the injured list. Montes de Oca has lit up radar guns this spring and could push for a late-inning bullpen role with the Mets at some point, but he has to get healthy first.

The Giants optioned Long to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Long's demotion comes as little surprise after he was blitzed for seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings across his four appearances in the Cactus League. The southpaw was previously one of the Giants' more interesting pitching prospects when he joined the organization in 2020, but he's struggled to stake a claim to a regular role in the big leagues the past two seasons. It's unclear if the Giants intend to have him continue his development as a starter at Sacramento or make a full-time move to the bullpen.

The Giants announced Monday that Szapucki is seeking a second opinion for his left upper arm injury, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The initial diagnosis was that Szapucki is dealing with neuropathy, which left his fingers numb during his lone Cactus League appearance back in late February. He remains shut down from throwing as the Giants attempt to get a clearer handle on the situation.

Rodriguez has allowed one earned run, three hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings across five Grapefruit League appearances.

The Cardinals scooped up Rodriguez in the Rule 5 draft this fall, and his work early in spring training is giving him a shot of sticking in the majors. His only other experience in the majors was in 2014 with the Royals, and he logged just two innings. He spent most of the time between 2015 and 2022 in foreign leagues before signing with the Yankees last August. The 33-year-old right-hander will probably be a low-leverage reliever if he breaks camp with the Cardinals.

Morejon (elbow) will undergo an MRI this week, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Morejon had to depart Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics due to soreness above his elbow. Arm injuries are, unfortunately, nothing new for the left-hander, and he would appear likely to need another IL stint to begin the season even if he receives relatively good news from the MRI.

Pomeranz (elbow) will throw another simulated game Thursday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Assuming the sim game goes well, Pomeranz should be cleared to make his Cactus League debut next week. The veteran southpaw missed all of 2022 following a setback in his recovery from 2021 flexor tendon surgery, but he's getting back on track. The Padres seem hopeful that he'll be able to join their bullpen at the start of the season rather than go on the injured list.

Manager Buck Showalter said Monday that Ridings (shoulder) might not be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training, Michael Mayer of Metsmerized reports.

Ridings has resumed throwing off a mound as he works his way back from a shoulder injury which cost him most of the 2022 season. However, he's still ramping back up slowly and appears to be a lock to begin the season on the injured list. Ridings was claimed off waivers from the Yankees back in November.

Ridings (shoulder) was spotted throwing off the slope of a mound Monday at the Mets' spring workout, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Ridings, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Yankees in November, is one of the few members of the 40-man roster who has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, as the organization appears to be taking things slowly with the 27-year-old reliever while he works back from the right shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season. Given that he's not yet facing hitters with two and a half weeks to go before Opening Day, Ridings appears likely to begin the season on the injured list.