MLB Player News

Pomeranz (forearm) threw a perfect inning in Friday's Cactus League game against Seattle, notching two strikeouts.

Pomeranz needed only seven pitches to mow down the Mariners in order after missing nearly three weeks with left forearm inflammation. The 32-year-old appears to have avoided a long-term injury and should be ready to roll as one of the Padres' most important bullpen arms on Opening Day.

Alzolay will likely be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster following a handful of moves by the team Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brad Wieck, Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were all sent to the minors, so Alzolay should be able to make the team, though it's unclear what his role will be. Bastian notes that Alzolay and Alec Mills could essentially split the fifth starter role, with the two working in tandem and keeping workloads more limited. That type of arrangement curbs the fantasy appeal of both players, at least until one of them potentially steps forward and grabs the rotation spot outright. Alzolay does also have a fourth minor-league option this year, an MLB arbitrator determined recently, so he could be sent down at some point even if he begins the year in the majors.

Megill was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Megill has yet to appear in the majors, and he was a long shot to make the club out of spring training. He spent 2020 at the Cubs' alternate site and finished the 2019 season at the Triple-A level, which is likely where he'll begin the 2021 campaign.

Strop was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Strop has only been able to log three innings in Cactus League play as he was delayed by COVID-19 protocols earlier in the spring, so he was facing an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever has had some good moments with the Cubs during his career and will give the team some organizational depth this season.

Miller was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Miller was having a strong spring (1.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts across nine innings) and was in the mix for a bullpen spot, but the non-roster invitee will not break camp with the Cubs. The 30-year-old didn't pitch in the majors in 2020 and struggled in 2019 and 2018, so his recent track record didn't help his case. However, if Miller looks better in the minors, he could factor into Chicago's plans later in the season.

Clarke threw five innings and 75 pitches in a simulated game on a back field Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Clarke, who has a 2.25 ERA in 12 Cactus League innings, is the leading candidate to replace the injured Zac Gallen (forearm) in the rotation. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo will discuss plans for the rotation going forward with coaches in the next few days, and Clarke's role will be one topic. His flexibility could be helpful, but the obvious need right now is replacing Gallen.

Gallegos has an 8.10 ERA across 6.2 innings this spring but has scoreless efforts in five of seven appearances.

It's been an odd spring statistically for Gallegos, who also has allowed a .393 average and 2.25 WHIP. However, all the damage has come in a pair of outings during which he gave up three earned runs apiece. He has pitched to plenty of contact, yielding at least one hit in all but one appearance, but the right-hander should still see a fair share of high-leverage opportunities this season, especially if Jordan Hicks is eased back into action.

Wilson was optioned to Atlanta's alternate site on Friday but is expected to serve as the team's fifth starter once one is eventually needed, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta has a rotation spot open at least until Mike Soroka returns from Achilles surgery, which won't happen until at least late April. Early off days mean the team won't need a fifth starter right away, but Wilson should at least get a few turns in the rotation before Soroka returns.

Kinley (oblique) had no issues after throwing a scoreless inning during Thursday's spring game against the Angels, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The 30-year-old had been sidelined since March 7 with left oblique soreness, but he returned to game action Thursday and seemed fine. Kinley had a 5.32 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB over 23.2 innings for the Rockies last season and is expected to be on the Opening Day roster.

Howard (back) was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old has been battling back spams for the past couple weeks, which complicated his potential path to a spot on the Opening Day roster. Howard should be fully healthy before long and figures to factor into the rotation for the Phillies at some point in 2021.