MLB Player News

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.

Scott (biceps) struck out one over a perfect inning of relief in Friday's 7-2 win over the Nationals in Grapefruit League play.

The 28-year-old southpaw made his spring debut over the weekend after a bout with left biceps discomfort prompted the Marlins to slow down his throwing progression earlier in camp. Scott looked plenty healthy in his outing against Washington, retiring the side with ease while generating two groundballs in addition to punching out a batter. Assuming he avoids any setbacks heading into Opening Day, Scott should be part of the Marlins' late-inning picture and could even find himself in the mix for saves, given that manager Skip Schumaker has yet to name a designated closer.

Puk (groin) struck out two over a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 7-2 win over the Nationals in Grapefruit League play.

Puk, whom the Marlins acquired in February in a deal that sent outfielder JJ Bleday to Oakland, made his spring debut over the weekend after he had been slowed by left adductor tightness in the early stages of camp. Prior to being dealt to Miami, Puk was expected to compete for a spot in Oakland's rotation, but the lefty's new organization appears to view him as a candidate for a high-leverage role out of the bullpen. The Marlins look set to enter Opening Day without a designated closer, so Puk could quickly enter the mix for saves if he can consistently turn in dominant outings like the one he turned in Friday.

Jameson allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four over three-plus innings in Sunday's spring start against the Rockies.

Jameson allowed a pair of home runs in his fourth Cactus League start. The right-hander got off to a good start this spring in his quest to claim the No. 5 starter job, but he's been knocked around his last two times out with eight runs and 11 hits allowed over the last 5.2 innings. Jameson's main competition for the job, Ryne Nelson, appeared as a reliever Sunday and fared better (one run, four hits, 2.2 IP).