MLB Player News

  • Pedro Strop RP | CHC

    Reds' Pedro Strop: Smooth spring start

    Strop got off to a late start in spring training but pitched four innings while allowing one run on two hits and a walk, striking out two.

    Strop is one of many options for the Reds to help set up Raisel Iglesias, along with Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson. His performance last season was hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in spring and a neck injury that sidelined him during the campaign.

  • Justin Shafer RP | TOR

    Reds' Justin Shafer: Flexor mass irritation

    Shafer was dealing with a flexor mass irritation during spring training and pitched in only one game in February, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Shafer was a long shot to make the Reds' Opening Day roster, having been acquired for cash considerations from the Jays after they had already designated him off their 40-man roster. The arm injury further limits his chances, though the delay to the start of the regular season could help Shafer log more exhibition appearances before Opening Day.

  • Matt Bowman RP | MIN

    Reds' Matt Bowman: Bullpen job battle

    Bowman is battling for one of the last two-to-three bullpen spots for the Reds. In five spring training outings, he allowed three runs over five innings, serving up two homers while striking out four and walking two.

    Bowman is competing with Justin Shafer, Joel Kuhnel, Lucas Sims, Cody Reed and possibly Tyler Mahle if the Reds move him to relief.

  • Brent Suter RP | LAA

    Brewers' Brent Suter: On track to pitch in relief

    Suter allowed five earned runs over five innings in three appearances this spring. He gave up nine hits and posted a 4:2 K:BB.

    Suter worked primarily as a starter in 2017 and 2018, but he pitched exclusively in relief last September after recovering from Tommy John surgery and will remain in that role when the 2020 campaign begins. Suter was not particularly sharp this spring, but he was last season, giving up just one earned run over 18.1 innings (0.49 ERA) out of the bullpen. He will not be part of the late-inning mix, but he does figure to cover multiple innings frequently, which will help his chances of picking up wins.

  • Kyle Finnegan RP | DET

    Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Unimpressive spring

    Finnegan posted a 5.40 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through five innings before spring training was suspended.

    The right-hander headed into spring looking to crack a big-league roster for the first time, but Finnegan was underwhelming in Grapefruit League action. He put up strong numbers in the high minors in 2019, however, and the 28-year-old remains in the mix for one of the final spots in the bullpen when MLB resumes play.

  • Wander Suero RP | ATH

    Nationals' Wander Suero: Struggles to find plate in spring

    Suero posted a 0.00 ERA but shaky 4:4 K:BB through six spring innings.

    On the bright side, the right-hander allowed only one hit in Grapefruit League action before MLB was put on pause. Suero was expected to fill a middle-relief role to begin the season following the acquisition of Will Harris, but his improving K-rate and 3.06 FIP in 2019 suggest he could handle high-leverage work if called upon.

  • Javy Guerra RP | ATL

    Padres' Javy Guerra: Expected to fill roster spot

    Guerra is a "lock" for a spot on the Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

    Guerra has many things going for him. First, he enjoyed a solid spring, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings and striking out five across five appearances. Second, his skill set closely matches that of Andres Munoz, who underwent Tommy John surgery Friday and will miss the entire 2020 campaign. Finally, Guerra is out of minor-league options, meaning the Padres will need to keep him on their major-league roster to avoid exposing him to waivers. That all but guarantees the right-hander a place on San Diego's Opening Day roster, though he's unlikely to be used in high-leverage situations at the start of the campaign due to all of the experienced talent joining him in the Padres' bullpen.

  • Joel Kuhnel RP | MIL

    Reds' Joel Kuhnel: Dealing with shoulder discomfort

    Kuhnel is dealing with shoulder discomfort and isn't throwing right now, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Manager David Bell suggested that Kuhnel could resume throwing soon. "Depending on how he's feeling next week will determine whether or not he picks up his throwing program."

  • Andres Munoz RP | SEA

    Padres' Andres Munoz: Undergoes Tommy John surgery

    Munoz underwent Tommy John surgery Friday.

    Munoz was shut down for workload reasons in mid-September after posting a 3.91 ERA and a 30.9 percent strikeout rate in his 23-inning debut, but the plan to keep him healthy evidently didn't work. A typical recovery timeline would keep him out of action until sometime in the middle of the 2021 season, though he'll still be just 22 years old at that point and will have plenty of time to develop into a shutdown reliever.

  • Sam Howard RP | DET

    Pirates' Sam Howard: Sent to Triple-A

    Howard was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

    Howard was plucked off waivers from the Rockies in October but won't be opening the season in the big leagues. He owns a 5.87 ERA in 23 career major-league innings.

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