MLB Player News

Sierra (shoulder) will begin the season at extended spring training, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Sierra is working his way back from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss all of last season. Farm directer Will Rhymes said the 27-year-old is "coming along," though he declined to offer up a timetable for Sierra's return. Once healthy, Sierra will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Alexander (1-0) picked up the win against the Giants on Wednesday, retiring both batters he faced in relief, striking out one of them as the Dodgers prevailed 5-3.

Coming on in relief of Ross Stripling, Alexander ended up getting credited with the Wednesday win after his teammates got to Reyes Moronta for a pair of runs. The left-hander hasn't given up a run in any of his four appearances so far this year and should see plenty of opportunities in setup duty for Kenley Jansen this season coming off a 2018 campaign that saw him post 21 holds in 73 appearances.

Garcia will open the year with Low-A Lakewood, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

He may not be the top prospect in the Phillies' system, but Garcia has the most hype right now in dynasty leagues of any Phillies prospect. He broke out in the Gulf Coast League last year, showcasing a potentially plus hit tool, plus speed and plus defense at shortstop. Garcia will eventually need to show he can use the whole field (56.3 Pull%) and get to a modicum of pop against advanced pitchers, but at 18 years old, he is well ahead of schedule.

Wingenter struck out one without allowing a baserunner over a scoreless inning in the Padres' 4-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Wingenter has been getting his fair share of work in the early going with four appearances in seven games, and he's done well with the opportunities thus far, allowing one earned run and striking out four batters over that time, although he has allowed four hits and a walk to leave his WHIP at 1.50. The right-hander had a 3.79 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and five holds to go along with a 27:11 K:BB over 19 innings of work as a rookie last season. He'll look to continue to build trust and establish himself as a fixture in the Padres' bullpen.

Manager Brian Snitker said Vizcaino is only available in an emergency Thursday against the Cubs, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Vizcaino picked up the save against the Cubs on Wednesday, but the Braves apparently want to steer clear of using the right-hander on back-to-back days out of the gates given the uncertainty surrounding his shoulder. If Vizcanio can't be trusted to pitch back-to-back days or twice within a three-day stretch, it would cut into his value and could ultimately open the door for A.J. Minter, who is slated to get the ball in the ninth inning should an opportunity arise Thursday, to take over as the team's primary closer down the line.

Szapucki is listed as healthy for Low-A Columbia, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

He underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2017 and missed all of 2018, but it sounds like he's ready to make up for lost time. Szapucki made six strong starts at Low-A in 2017 before suffering a torn UCL, so if he looks like his old self, he could quickly receive a promotion to High-A.

Weigel will open the year with Double-A Mississippi, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

The Braves' Triple-A rotation is very crowded and this is Weigel's first year back from Tommy John surgery, so it makes sense to give him a pretty conservative assignment to open the year. Prior to tearing his UCL, Weigel was knocking on the door of the majors, so it's possible he could get to the big leagues as a reliever later this summer. He will be developed as a starter until then, but given the Braves' organizational rotation depth, they may have a greater need in the bullpen.

Maton was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Maton will head to the minors to free up a roster spot for Matt Wisler, who was acquired from the Reds earlier in the week. Through three appearances this season, the right-hander has allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two in four innings.

Hart was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Thursday and subsequently optioned to Triple-A San Antonio.

Hart spent the majority of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Norfolk, compiling a 2.41 ERA and 45:10 K:BB across 41 innings (three starts, 29 relief appearances). The 28-year-old has appeared in the majors each of the last three seasons, notching a combined 3.43 ERA and 54:31 K:BB in 81.1 innings of relief.

Hudson notched his first save in an extra-inning win over the Pirates on Wednesday, allowing a walk over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

With his next scheduled turn in the starting rotation already having been tabled due to how the schedule lines up for the Cardinals over the next two weeks, Hudson got his temporary bullpen stint off to a fine start Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander was impressive in 26 relief appearances in his rookie 2018 campaign, so he's certainly no stranger to taking the hill in the latter stages of a game. Hudson's high-leverage deployment against the Pirates seems to have partly been the result of closer Jordan Hicks having pitched 2.1 innings over the prior three days and Andrew Miller already having worked earlier in Wednesday's contest.