MLB Player News

Bender could step in as the Marlins' closer early in the season since Dylan Floro is behind schedule in camp due to arm soreness, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

Bender made his major-league debut in 2021 and posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 61.1 innings across 60 appearances (one start). The right-hander converted three of five save chances while recording 12 holds during that time. It's possible that Bender will be able to carve out ninth-inning work early in the 2022 campaign.

Floro is dealing with arm soreness and is behind schedule, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

Floro was the presumed closer in Miami after he served in the role for the final two months of the 2021 campaign. It remains unclear whether this injury will prevent Floro from being ready for Opening Day, though he has yet to appear in any spring training games. Anthony Bender figures to earn save chances if Floro begins the season on the injured list, though Anthony Bass has picked up saves in both Seattle and Toronto in recent campaigns.

Naughton was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Naughton was claimed off waivers from the Angels on Monday but won't get the chance to earn an Opening Day roster spot for his new team. He could return to the big-league roster to cover for an injury later in the season, but his 6.35 ERA and 12:14 K:BB in 22.2 innings last season suggests he still has some development to do if he's to become a weapon at the highest level.

Reyes (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday.

Reyes finally had a healthy season last year and finished with 29 saves and a 3.24 ERA, but he apparently won't be able to stay healthy two years in a row. He's been dealing with a shoulder issue all spring and received a stem-cell injection in mid-March. Previous reports indicated he'd be out until late May at a minimum, but he'll now be ineligible to return before early June.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Abbott was likely always a long shot to break camp with the team after a poor debut season last year. In 17.1 innings, he stumbled to a 6.75 ERA and 12:11 K:BB.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Marte was competing for a spot in the major-league bullpen, but it appears he'll begin the season in the minors instead. The 27-year-old right-hander has yet to make his major-league debut. He was solid with a 3.49 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 62:23 K:BB in 56.2 innings across 43 appearances with Sacramento last season, and his 3.15 FIP indicates he could have more room to grow.

Nance was activated from the COVID-19 injured list and designated for assignment Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Nance hit the COVID-19 injured list early in camp and won't have a 40-man roster spot to return to now that he's available again. As a 31-year-old with a 7.22 ERA in just 28.2 career major-league innings, he's far from a lock to get claimed off waivers.

Diaz struck out two in a perfect inning of work during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Entering the game in the second inning and facing a Miami lineup mostly made up of big-league regulars, Diaz got Joey Wendle swinging and Brian Anderson looking before Nick Fortes tapped a weak grounder back to the right-hander for the final out of the frame. Diaz heads into his fourth season with the Mets having gone 64-for-80 on save chances during his tenure with the team, and another 30-plus saves in 2022 seems well within reach.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is listed among the Cubs' relievers scheduled to pitch in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rodriguez was sidelined with right shoulder inflammation to close out the 2021 season, but his inclusion on the pitching schedule Thursday implies that he'll be good to go for the start of the 2022 campaign. Before getting hurt, Rodriguez didn't distinguish himself while working out of the Cubs bullpen, as he gave up 12 earned runs on 18 hits and 12 walks over 17.2 innings. Rodriguez still has a minor-league option remaining, so he could find himself at Triple-A Iowa once big-league camp wraps up.

Manager Buck Showalter said Smith (foot) pitched a perfect inning-plus Thursday in the Mets' intrasquad game, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith's flawless relief appearance indicates that he's fully healthy again after he didn't complete his scheduled throwing session Wednesday due to a sore right foot. The right-hander's spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen looks fairly secure, though he'll likely be limited to a low-leverage role to begin the season.