MLB Player News

Hoffman is out of options heading into the 2021 season, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. He is competing for a roster spot, nominally as a starter but potentially as a reliever, after arriving from Colorado in a trade for Robert Stephenson in November.

As Rosecrans reports, Hoffman is the type of pitcher that the Reds like to target, with his fastball spin (83rd percentile) and curve spin (55th percentile) above average. That hasn't yet translated to good results, but the change of scenery could help.

Bednar walked one batter and struck out a pair in a scoreless inning Sunday against Baltimore.

The righty, acquired in the Joe Musgrove deal, has not allowed a run in three spring innings. He's yet to give up a hit, walking one while striking out seven. His strong start has put him in the mix for a bullpen spot and possibly even closer discussions at some point in 2021. The 26-year-old has done well with a 97-mph fastball and sharp-breaking curve.

Manager Dave Roberts said Kelly (shoulder) is a "ways away" from being ready for game action, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The 32-year-old's Friday bullpen session seemed to indicate he was nearing a return, but Roberts said otherwise Sunday. Kelly has dealt with an unspecified illness and shoulder soreness, and he still has more than three weeks to get healthy and prepare for Opening Day.

Fulmer was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Pirates back in September, but he apparently didn't show enough early in camp to maintain his spot on the 40-man roster. Fulmer could remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Underwood was acquired by the Pirates from the Cubs on Sunday in exchange for prospect Shendrik Apostel.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week and will get a fresh start in the NL Central with the Pirates. Underwood appeared in 17 games last season and had a 5.66 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 20.2 innings.

Miller allowed one run across two innings and picked up the win in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He gave up two hits and struck out three.

Miller is competing for a roster spot out of spring training, and he's now tossed three innings of one-run ball in Cactus League action with four strikeouts. The 30-year-old struggled mightily with an 8.59 ERA back in 2019, then didn't end up pitching in the majors during the condensed 2020 season, so it could be an uphill climb for him to make the team, but the Cubs are giving him a chance to prove himself.

Strop is isolating from the team after violating the league's health and safety protocols, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander will need to clear some additional protocols before he is able to rejoin the team. Strop is competing for a roster spot as a non-roster invitee, so his absence for spring games could prove costly, depending on how long he's sidelined.

Rodriguez (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two over three innings as he earned the win in Saturday's spring game against the Angels.

Rodriguez has now allowed two runs in each of his first two spring outings, but he had much greater command against the Angels on Saturday. He threw 28 of his 41 pitches for strikes, and the only run production came via a two-run home run to Jo Adell in the bottom of the second inning. "If I make my pitch and the location that I want, with the confidence I have, I can get anybody out," Rodriguez said. The right-hander appeared to be in line to compete for a rotation spot as a non-roster invitee this spring, but Austin Gomber is the favorite to win a starting job after a strong start to Cactus League play. However, Rodriguez could still make the roster as a long reliever if he continues to pitch effectively, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Castillo (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Castillo's placement on the injured list is simply procedural since he was recently diagnosed with a UCL tear that will require Tommy John surgery. As a result, he'll miss the entire 2021 campaign and could also be sidelined to begin 2022. The move will clear a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jordan Humphreys, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

De Los Santos is showing off increased velocity this spring, touching 96 mph in an appearance Saturday against Toronto, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

De Los Santos' fastball averaged a modest 93.3 mph when he last appeared in the majors in 2019. He didn't get any big-league opportunities last season and wound up getting designated for assignment. He's shown very little in 30 big-league innings (three starts and nine relief appearances) thus far in his career, but he's still just 25 years old, so it's certainly possible that a jump in velocity could get him back onto the active roster as at least a middle reliever at some point this year.