MLB Player News

Vesia will be included on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Vesia fired 16.1 scoreless frames at Double-A Jacksonville last season and has never seen Triple-A action, but he'll make the jump to the majors to begin 2020. The 24-year-old is likely to fill a low-leverage role until establishing himself as a reliable option.

Gsellman (triceps) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The move was anticipated after Gsellman was shut down from throwing last week with right triceps tightness. The issue doesn't sound too serious, but the team will choose to allow him time to recover rather than rushing him out to begin the season. Gsellman made 52 appearances for the Mets last year, posting a 4.66 ERA and 60:23 K:BB over 63.2 innings.

Gsellman (triceps) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

This news comes after Gsellman was shut down from throwing last week due to right triceps tightness. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like the issue is anything overly serious; the expectation is that the right-hander will be ready to go about a week into the season following a brief stay on the shelf. Once healthy, the 27-year-old should assume a prominent spot in the Mets bullpen.

Diaz wants to close for the Mets this season but doesn't know whether or not he's the top ninth-inning option, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reports from earlier in camp suggested that the Mets' closer position had yet to be decided, and it seems as though that's still the case. Diaz had one of the most dominant closer seasons in recent memory for the Mariners in 2018, saving 57 games while posting a 1.96 ERA and a 44.3 percent strikeout rate. However, his ERA exploded to 5.59 last year, his first with the Mets, as he blew seven save chances. The Mets have a handful of quality alternatives this season, as Dellin Betances, Jeurys Familia and Seth Lugo have saved a combined 169 games over their respective careers.

The Nationals optioned Williams to their alternate training site July 9.

The move seemingly takes Williams out of the running for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen. Williams logged only two appearances for the big club in 2019, giving up six earned runs on five hits and a walk while recording just one out.

Suero (undisclosed) completed a simulated game Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Even though Suero remains on the 10-day injured list, his presence at summer camp and ability to face hitters suggests he's reasonably healthy and won't miss much time beyond Opening Day. The right-hander reliever made 78 appearances for Washington in 2019, posting a 4.54 ERA, 81:26 K:BB and 19 holds over 71.1 innings.

Clarke allowed a pair of home runs and was charged with five runs over four innings in Monday's exhibition game against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks had a couple of troubling outings from starters in Los Angeles. Both Clarke and Taylor Widener, who started Sunday's contest, are expected to serve as starting depth in 2020 but were hit hard. "Am I concerned? Of course I am," manager Torey Lovullo said. "I don't like the outings that they had. But I think we're going to learn from them and continue to have those two guys grow and mature a little bit." Left-hander Alex Young is probably the first line of starting depth for Arizona before it needs Clarke or Widener.

Ponce de Leon felt what was described as a slight spasm in his neck/shoulder area while pitching in Sunday's intrasquad game, but he remained in the contest and the issue isn't expected to limit him moving forward, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The versatile right-hander allowed a two-run home run to Justin Williams during his outing, but he appeared to be no worse for wear with respect to the physical issue after a mound visit from manager Mike Shildt, pitching coach Mike Maddux and head trainer Adam Olsen. Ponce de Leon is expected to begin the season filling what could be multiple bullpen roles. Rob Rains of STLSportsPage.com reports Shildt officially confirmed Monday the 28-year-old will be on the Opening Day roster.

Llovera was transferred to the Phillies' alternate training site at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old was optioned to Lehigh Valley in March before spring training was shut down, and he'll now head there under different circumstances. Llovera spent last season at Double-A Reading and had a 4.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 72:28 K:BB over 65.1 innings.

Howard was transferred to the Phillies' alternate training site at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old was competing for a back-end spot in the starting rotation, but he won't be on the 30-man roster to begin the season. Howard put on a strong performance in summer camp and finished by allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over four innings during Tuesday's intrasquad game. Pitching coach Bryan Price previously said Howard should be a part of the rotation early in the season, and while that still may happen, he won't be on the team's Opening Day roster.