MLB Player News

Santillan is under consideration for one of the three open spots in the Reds' rotation, though he hasn't worked more than two innings in spring training so far, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan came up through the minors as a starter, though he had better results in the bullpen in the majors last season. "We'd love to have him in the bullpen because he dominated at the end of last season," Bell said. "To have that in the bullpen, his aggressive mentality, I would not be afraid of him in any situation (in the bullpen). But he's also a really good starter. With where we are, it's early to make that decision."

Atlanta optioned Webb to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

One of Atlanta's more impressive relievers in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Webb's performance took a major step back during the team's run to the World Series in 2021. He worked almost exclusively in low-leverage spots last season, accruing one save and no holds over 34 appearances while logging a 4.19 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. With Atlanta improving its relief ranks this offseason with the pickups of Kenley Jansen and Collin McHugh, the team had no room in its Opening Day bullpen for Webb.

The Brewers reassigned Kelley to their minor-league camp Monday.

He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Nashville. Kelley last appeared in the majors in 2020 with the Phillies, pitching in four games out of the bullpen and giving up four earned runs over 3.1 innings.

Garcia is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list while he contends with a side injury that first surfaced during his Cactus League debut March 21, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

According to Cassavell, Garcia was able to play catch Monday, so his side injury doesn't look to be a long-term concern. In any case, Garcia doesn't look as though he'll have enough time to get fully ramped up for Opening Day, which will leave him out of the mix not only for a spot in the Padres' season-opening bullpen but also remove him from contention for the closing job for the time being. Manager Bob Melvin has yet to anoint a closer as Opening Day approaches, so it's possible the Friars take a committee approach to the ninth inning to begin the season before potentially settling on a preferred option. Garcia was believed to be a candidate to factor into the closing picture after he submitted a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:8 K:BB in 33.1 innings for the Cardinals in 2021 before inking a two-year, $7 million deal with the Padres in free agency this winter.

The Padres placed Pomeranz (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

San Diego's decision to place Pomeranz on the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty, whom the team acquired via trade from the Dodgers in a corresponding move. The Padres had already ruled out Pomeranz for the start of the season while he remains limited to throwing off flat ground in his rehab program from elbow surgery, and the transaction now ensures that he'll remain sidelined until at least early June. Due to the time he'll miss to begin the season, Pomeranz appears unlikely to factor into the Padres' unsettled closer situation, at least not initially when he ultimately returns.

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

Hjelle appeared in two games this spring, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four over three innings. The 24-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut, but he did start 10 games with Sacramento last season, struggling to a 5.74 ERA and 1.81 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 29 walks over 53.1 innings.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Monday that Coonrod is dealing with a strained right shoulder and won't be available for the start of the regular season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Coonrod picked up the injury following his second Grapefruit League appearance last Wednesday, with the Phillies sending him in for an MRI before the shoulder strain was confirmed. He'll be shut down from throwing for the next 5-to-7 days before the Phillies decide his next steps, but even if Coonrod gets the green light to resume workouts by next week, he won't have sufficient time to get himself ready for Opening Day. When healthy, Coonrod is expected to fill a middle-relief role following a 2021 campaign in which he posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 42.1 innings while collecting nine holds and two saves.

Nance was claimed off waivers by the Marlins on Sunday.

Nance was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday after he posted a 7.22 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 28.2 innings across 27 relief appearances for the major-league club last year. He should have a chance to compete for a spot in the Marlins' bullpen with a week and a half remaining until Opening Day.

Junis (shoulder) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Reds.

Junis worked the ninth inning with little trouble in his spring debut. The right-hander has worked as a starter for much of his five-year MLB career, but the Giants' rotation is likely set with Junis on the outside looking in. He should be expected to work in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The 29-year-old had a 5.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB across 39.1 innings in 16 appearances (six starts) with the Royals last year.

Uceta was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Uceta was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers in October and will open the 2022 campaign at Triple-A for the Diamondbacks. The 24-year-old had a 6.64 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB over 20.1 big-league innings last season and figures to join Arizona at some point this season.