MLB Player News

Miller was assigned to minor-league camp Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Miller had at best an outside chance at breaking camp in the big leagues, as he did make his debut last season but threw just five innings. The Cubs expect to rotate players through their fifth starter spot, so Miller could still earn starts later this year if he looks good in the minors.

Doyle was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The 24-year-old finished last season on the big-league roster while giving up six earned runs over 2.1 innings, and he'll open 2021 in the minors. Doyle will skip Double-A after posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB over 36 innings at High-A in 2019.

Davidson was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old allowed two earned runs over 1.2 frames in his big-league debut last season but won't open 2021 in the majors. Davidson had a 2.03 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 122:45 K:BB over 110.2 innings at Double-A in 2019 before earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A.

Arano (visa issues) was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues, but he gave up four runs over two spring innings before being optioned. Arano last pitched in the majors during 2019 with 4.2 frames for the Phillies.

Almonte pitched a perfect fourth inning while failing to strike out any batters in Thursday's spring loss to the Cubs.

Almonte made his second relief appearance of spring training Thursday and only required six pitches to retire the side in the fourth inning. Daniel Bard appears to be the favorite to earn save chances early in the season, but Almonte hopes to be in contention for late-game opportunities in 2021, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. "Any other baseball player would probably say the same thing -- you want to have that big role," Almonte said. "Whether you get it or not, you have to shoot for it. And that's something that I think I can handle." The right-hander has displayed confidence in his fastball, slider and changeup to begin the spring and has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out one over two scoreless innings during his two relief appearances in Cactus League play.

Rodriguez allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings as he was charged with the loss in Thursday's spring game against the Cubs.

Rodriguez allowed two runs in each of his first two Cactus League appearances this year. He struggled early in Thursday's matchup and gave up three runs in the first inning before allowing runs to come across in each of the next two frames. Since Austin Gomber has pitched incredibly well during spring training, Rodriguez's chance at a starting job appears to be slim, but he could still be in contention to serve as a long reliever if he can settle down ahead of the regular season.

Santana could make the Opening Day roster in a bullpen role, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

Santana has looked good so far this spring, hurling four scoreless innings and giving up only one hit while striking out five. The right-hander was primarily a starter in the minors, so he could function as a multi-inning reliever if he breaks camp with the Dodgers. That possibility may depend on the status of Joe Kelly (shoulder), who is currently a question mark to be ready by Opening Day.

Coonrod may be on the outside looking in on Opening Day, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies acquired Coonrod in exchange for their 2020 fourth-round pick Carson Ragsdale in January. He still has options remaining and owns a career 5.74 ERA, so while the team must have seen something in him to bother trading for him, he's certainly not a lock to win a job. Gelb's latest roster projection, based on conversations with scouts and team officials, has Coonrod losing the battle to JoJo Romero for one of the final bullpen spots. Which pitcher wins the job may depend in part on how many southpaws the Phillies want to carry; Coonrod throws right-handed, while Romero is a lefty.

Hicks recorded a clean inning on 11 pitches during a "B" game against the Nationals on Wednesday, his first game action of any kind since June 2019, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "I don't think it would have mattered what lens you're looking [through]," said manager Mike Shildt. "It was pretty darn good."

The right-hander recorded a strikeout while also inducing a pair of groundouts. Hicks, highly regarded for his ability to consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun when healthy, was also recorded at 102 mph in a live batting practice session Wednesday, further corroborating the fitness of his surgically repaired elbow. Assuming he remains free of any setbacks in coming days, Hicks' next step will be his Grapefruit League debut.

Brogdon is seen as a potential setup man by the Phillies this season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Brogdon flashed plenty of potential during his 11.1-inning debut last season, posting a 3.97 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. His 38.6 percent strikeout rate proved to be more than enough to overcome his 11.4 percent walk rate and 36.4 percent groundball rate. Brogdon's inexperience means he's clearly behind Hector Neris and Archie Bradley in the battle for the closer job, but it's not out of the question that he could push for saves at some point if he excels while those two struggle.