MLB Player News

Hernandez has posted a 4.15 ERA and 12:1 K:BB through 8.2 innings over three Grapefruit League starts.

The right-hander often gets overshadowed in a young Marlins rotation, especially with Trevor Rogers teasing a breakout and Sixto Sanchez routinely popping triple digits this spring, but Hernandez is showing that he has some upside of his own. The 25-year-old recorded a 3.16 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 25.2 innings last year while rarely facing a batter for the third time in a game, and he's hoping the addition of a consistent changeup to his arsenal will allow him to take a big step forward in 2021.

Loup is expected to begin the season as part of the Mets' bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The veteran reliever should be the top southpaw in the 'pen, giving Loup a path to consistent high-leverage work in a division that includes the likes of Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper. Loup has been sharp this spring, posting a 3.18 ERA and 9:0 K:BB over 5.2 innings, and he could be poised to top his career high of 13 holds, set back in 2014 with the Blue Jays.

Castro should begin the season as part of the Mets' bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been sharp this spring, allowing only one hit and one walk over 5.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven. Castro's spot in the pecking order isn't yet clear, but things appear wide open after closer Edwin Diaz and eighth-inning man Trevor May, so he could quickly work his way into a setup role if he remains effective.

Boxberger struck out three batters over a perfect inning of relief in Wednesday's spring game.

It's been an up-and-down spring for Boxberger, who has looked sharp in five of his eight appearances but was tagged for eight earned runs in his other three. Despite the rough outings, he remains in the mix for a spot in the Brewers' bullpen.

Lamet tossed one inning against the Giants in a Cactus League game Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit.

Lamet threw 12 pitches in the outing (seven strikes) and sat between 95-98 mph on his fastball, per Danny Vietti of CBS Sports. The right-hander was touched up for a home run by Donovan Solano but otherwise breezed through three batters. Lamet appears unlikely to be ready for a rotation role at the start of the campaign given his brief initial outing, but Wednesday's effort is a promising sign that he could make a major impact for the Padres -- and fantasy managers -- this season.

Garcia (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Saturday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 27-year-old was non-tendered by the Giants and quickly re-signed in December, but he won't pitch during 2021 due to the UCL injury. Garcia also figures to miss the early portion of 2022 while rehabbing from the surgery. He had a 5.40 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 10 innings for San Francisco last season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Antone (hip) will "most likely" open the season in a relief role, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Sonny Gray (back) headed for the injured list to begin the season, Antone's odds of breaking camp as a member of the rotation appeared to improve, but those plans may have changed when the 27-year-old righty exited his March 14 outing with a hip strain. Antone has since resumed throwing and could slot back into the Reds' Cactus League pitching schedule Sunday against the Brewers, but he looks like he'll only be asked to cover an inning or two now that the team is preparing for him to begin the season in the bullpen. While making nine of his 13 appearances in 2020 as a reliever, Antone showed he could still provide some value as a ratio stabilizer, and he may even get the chance to factor into save situations early on this season. With both Amir Garrett and Lucas Sims missing time in camp and offseason pickup Sean Doolittle having struggled mightily this spring, the Reds' closer situation is far from settled.

The Mets optioned Yamamoto to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Yamamoto's demotion seemingly locks in Joey Lucchesi as the Mets' fifth starter to begin the season, at least for the time being. After being acquired from the Marlins in February, Yamamoto made a positive impression with his new organization this spring, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk over 8.1 innings in Grapefruit League play. He'll likely be one of the top candidates for a call-up if the Mets require starting-pitching depth at any point.

De Leon will have a fourth minor-league option for 2021, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

De Leon was battling for a back-end spot in the starting rotation during spring training but wasn't particularly sharp during four Cactus League appearances (three starts). The right-hander has posted a 6.39 ERA and 1.58 WHIP this spring, and the arbitrator's decision to grant De Leon an additional minor-league option makes it likely that he'll begin the year at Triple-A Louisville.

Perez will have a fourth minor-league option in 2021, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Perez spent most of the 2020 season at the Astros' alternate training site, and an arbitrator ruled Wednesday that the southpaw will have an additional option with his new club in 2021. The decision will give the Reds more flexibility this year and makes it more likely that Perez will begin the season at Triple-A Louisville. Perez has made nine appearances (one start) this spring and has posted a 0.93 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 9.2 innings.