MLB Player News

Smith was among the Reds' first spring training cuts Tuesday.

A 30-year-old waiver claim off the Marlins' roster in October, Smith is unlikely to remain on the Reds' 40-man roster by the start of the season.

Antone was among the Reds' first 11 spring training cuts Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Others sent to the Reds' minor-league camp include David Carpenter, Ryan Hendrix, Nick Lodolo, Tony Santillan, Josh Smith, Chris Okey, Jonathan India, Blake Trahan, Stuart Fairchild and Boog Powell.

None of these cuts qualify as a surprise, though there was a smidgen of a chance that Antone or Smith could have won the last bullpen spot. But this is one of the annual landmarks of spring training -- players getting sent down that don't have much of a chance of making the Opening Day roster. Antone could still be in line for a midseason callup after getting promoted to the 40-man roster in November.

Ponce de Leon fired five scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Twins on Monday, allowing two hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts.

The right-hander was credited with a hold for his stellar multi-inning outing, which lowered his spring ERA to 0.69. The appearance was the embodiment of the versatility that makes Ponce de Leon so valuable to the Cardinals, and it also underscored the fact he's certainly stretched out sufficiently to open the season in a temporary rotation role and/or make the occasional spot start as the campaign unfolds.

Reyes was credited with a save in a Grapefruit League win over the Twins on Monday, firing a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts.

Reyes' outing wasn't without some adversity, as he worked around a pair of singles. However, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports manager Mike Shildt came away impressed with the oft-injured right-hander's work, remarking that Reyes looked "uninhibited" on the mound after dealing with numerous physical issues the last several years.

Lambert was pulled from Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Reds after experiencing forearm tightness, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander figures to undergo additional testing, but for now he remains without a timetable for his return. Lambert struggled before leaving the game, allowing four hits and one walk over 1.1 innings.

Lambert was removed from Tuesday's game against the Reds with an undisclosed injury, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old visited with a trainer during the fifth inning before slowly walking to the clubhouse. Lambert gave up four hits, including a home run, and issued one walk across 1.1 innings in relief Tuesday. It is not certain exactly what caused the right-hander to leave the game so abruptly, but more information should be released following further evaluation.

Hudson made his second start of Grapefruit League play Sunday against the Marlins and worked up to 74 pitches due to control issues, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has made half of his four spring appearances out of the bullpen, but he stretched out plenty with the help of the three walks he issued versus Miami. Hudson still managed to strike out five -- including the side in the first inning -- and gave up just two hits during his 3.2 innings, as he was able to work out of trouble in each of his first three frames.

Alzolay was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He was technically involved in the competition for the fifth starter's spot, but that was pretty unrealistic. Alzolay will need to work on staying healthy and improving his below-average third pitch this season if he is to make it as a starter long term.

Hernandez allowed two hits over four scoreless innings while striking out five in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The 24-year-old has had an uneven spring, but he seems to be building momentum as Opening Day draws closer. Hernandez has a 4.91 ERA and 8:4 K:B through 11 innings, and he remains in the hunt for a rotation spot to begin the season.

The Phillies optioned Llovera to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Llovera was one of two recent additions to the 40-man roster who was sent to Triple-A on Tuesday, with fellow pitcher Garrett Cleavinger joining him in Lehigh Valley. The Phillies are expected to continue developing Llovera as a starter, so he'll presumably slot into the Triple-A rotation for what will be his first taste of the International League. The 23-year-old spent the 2019 season exclusively at Double-A Reading, posting a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 65.1 innings.