MLB Player News

Pivetta's shot at a rotation spot could take a hit with a shortened schedule, as that could lead to the Phillies promoting Spencer Howard for the start of the season, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Pivetta was already seemingly an underdog in a battle with Vince Velasquez and Ranger Suarez for the Phillies' final rotation spot. His 8.22 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 7.2 spring innings didn't exactly help his case. If Howard is indeed given the job from the start of the campaign, all three of those pitchers would be consigned to a bullpen role (if they even start the campaign in the majors). Pivetta would need at least one and possibly multiple injuries ahead of him if he's to end up in a fantasy-relevant role.

Neris threw four scoreless Grapefruit League innings before play was suspended.

Neris' spring tune-up wasn't perfect, however, as he struck out just one of the 16 batters he faced. The 30-year-old doesn't appear to have any serious threats to his closer role this season, with David Robertson set to miss most or all of the campaign due to Tommy John surgery and Seranthony Dominguez's elbow problems returning.

Feyereisen was optioned to Double-A Biloxi Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was added to Milwaukee's 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but he's on track to begin the season in the minors. Feyereisen was acquired by the Brewers in September after spending the previous three years at Triple-A with the Yankees, so it's curious to see him optioned to Double-A, even if there are no games currently on the horizon.

Perdomo was optioned to Triple-A San Antonio on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November and was in big-league camp prior to the suspension of spring training, but it appears he'll be beginning another season in the minors. Perdomo spent most of 2019 at San Antonio and posted a 5.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 86:38 K:BB across 54 frames.

Rodriguez will likely work as a reliever if he makes the big-league club, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Even with the injury to Tyler Beede (elbow), Rodriguez is not considered a favorite to land a rotation spot. Instead, he'll be battling to make the 26-man roster as a reliever, or else he'll likely head to the minors to remain stretched out as a starter. After a successful debut in 2018, Rodriguez was hit hard to the tune of a 5.64 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 99 innings last season.

Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

This isn't overly surprising after Reyes struggled across four spring appearances, finishing with an 8.31 ERA, 2.54 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 4.1 innings. While the Cardinals have yet to clarify his role for 2020, the team figures to handle the oft-injured righty with caution after injuries plagued Reyes again in 2019, limiting him to just 40.1 innings across three levels.

Cabrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Cabrera is on track to open the year in the minors with the delayed start to the regular season giving the Cardinals extra time to get healthy. It's unclear whether Cabrera will work as a starter or reliever with Memphis after being deployed in both roles last season.

Finnegan was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Finnegan was in the mix for one of the team's final bullpen spots but failed to seize the opportunity, posting a 5.40 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through five innings before spring training was suspended. The right-hander figures to make his big-league debut in 2020 if he continues to impress in the upper minors.

Clarke was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Clarke was never expected to open the season in Arizona's rotation, but the team's decision to send him to the minors to begin the season indicates he'll remain stretched out as starting depth. The righty made 23 appearances (15 starts) with the Diamondbacks in 2019, compiling a 5.31 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 84.2 innings.

Sewald was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Sewald pitched well during his five spring appearances, compiling a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 5.1 innings, though he'll still head to the minors to begin the season. He figures to join the big-league club in a middle-relief role at some point after posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 19.2 innings with the Mets in 2019.