MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned McArthur to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

The 26-year-old right-hander wasn't able to secure a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen after he was tagged for three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings across his five Grapefruit League appearances. McArthur is still awaiting his big-league debut, but the Phillies' decision to keep him on the 40-man roster over the offseason suggests the organization thinks he can become a contributor in the majors at some point in 2023.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Pomeranz (elbow) will throw to live hitters at least one more time before potentially getting into a spring-training game, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Pomeranz threw to live hitters Friday for the first time this spring, and Melvin was encouraged by the session, saying, "What I saw yesterday was great. He was averaging almost 92 [mph]. His breaking ball was spinning well. I know he felt good about it as well," per Bill Center of FriarWire. The manager added that Pomeranz will throw in a similar setting at least once more before potentially getting into a game situation. That lines up with earlier reports that the veteran reliever could open the season in the Padres' bullpen rather than on the injured list.

Raley (hamstring) is expected back Tuesday for the Mets, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Raley was diagnosed with a low grade left hamstring strain Saturday, and the left-hander was forced to withdraw from the American roster for the World Baseball Classic. Even if he misses a few extra days, it appears that this won't be an injury that carries into the regular season.

Bird (oblique) threw his first bullpen session of the spring Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Time appears tight for Bird to get ramped up by Opening Day, but he reportedly still has a chance. He recorded a 4.91 ERA in 47.2 innings of relief as a 26-year-old rookie last season.

Pint (oblique) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Pint was added to the 40-man roster in November and seemingly had a chance to push for a bullpen spot, but the mild oblique strain he's been dealing with has taken him out of Opening Day consideration. Per Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, he's been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque, but the fact that he's progressed to a bullpen session means he should have the chance to push for his debut early in the year.

Raley was diagnosed with a low-grade left hamstring strain Saturday.

Raley was removed from the American roster for the World Baseball Classic on Friday, but the reason was initially undisclosed. It now looks likely that he could open the season on the injured list, though the Mets have yet to announce a timeline.

Melancon allowed one hit and walked one while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Melancon authored his first scoreless appearance over three Cactus League outings. The reliever's 16.88 ERA this spring has manager Torey Lovullo exploring several options to close games in 2023.

Ginkel retired the two batters he faced in Friday's spring game against the Reds.

Ginkel has not allowed an earned run over five Cactus League outings (4.2 innings). The right-hander could be moving into the pole position to become Arizona's closer, given Mark Melancon's results this spring (16.88 ERA). Andrew Chafin (groin) and Joe Mantiply are also in the mix for saves.

Chafin (groin) is expected to throw a live batting-practice session Saturday.

Chafin was shut down for a couple of days this week with groin tightness. The reliever has allowed four runs, four hits and five walks over 2.2 Cactus League innings.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday, per 97.3 The Fan.

Pomeranz has been taking things slowly this spring after missing all of last season while recovering from flexor tendon surgery to his left arm. However, the southpaw tossed a number of bullpen sessions leading up to throwing to live hitters for the first time Friday, and he's aiming to begin pitching in games within the next few weeks. If his recovery remains on that timeline, Pomeranz could avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.