MLB Player News

Estevez was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Estevez performed well in spring training with a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 8.1 innings, but was always facing long odds to make the roster. The 26-year-old missed the beginning of 2018 due to an oblique injury and spent the rest of the season at Albuquerque, where he struggled with a 6.35 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 28.1 innings.

Okert was designated for assignment by the Giants on Saturday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Okert seemed to have a good shot at a bullpen role but will instead be cast off the 40-man roster entirely. As a left-hander with a respectable enough 4.28 ERA in 48.1 career big-league innings, there's a decent chance he won't pass through waivers unclaimed.

Manager Mike Shildt suggested Friday that Hicks will be the Cardinals' primary closer, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "The reality is while we don't say it's Jordan, period, Jordan is going to get a lot of those opportunities. Let's not kid ourselves here," Shildt said. "The good news is we have multiple people who can do it. We've declared a couple of guys at the end who will get the majority of it. Jordan will get a lot of it. It won't be like the phone will ring and everybody will wonder what the heck is going on."

The Cardinals remain one of several teams without a designated closer, but Shildt was nice enough to provide some clarity on St. Louis' back-end situation ahead of weekend drafts. Hicks has put himself in position to be the top option for saves with a strong spring. While Hicks has issued seven free passes in six innings, he's also fanned 11 while holding opponents to a .130 average. Lefty Andrew Miller will likely see some chances based on matchups, and Alex Reyes and Carlos Martinez (shoulder) loom as threats to his role if Hicks stumbles.

The Mets reassigned Santiago to minor-league camp Saturday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The left-hander was hoping to win one of the last spots in the Mets' bullpen, but the club elected to keep Rule 5 pick Kyle Dowdy instead. Santiago is set to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

Koch gave up two runs on five hits while striking out six over five-plus innings Friday against the Dodgers.

Koch, who made 14 starts and five relief appearances in 2018, is widely expected to be part of the Diamondbacks' bullpen, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA over 17 Cactus League innings. "I've been extremely impressed by what he's done," manager Torey Lovullo said. "You walk into camp and know you're competing, you're told you have to earn the spot, and when you do things like this it really stands out." Koch is out of options, so the Diamondbacks risk losing him if they want to send him down.

Tonkin signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Friday.

It didn't take long for Tonkin to find a new home after being released by the Rangers earlier Friday. The right-hander spent last season in Japan, notching a 3.71 ERA in 51 innings for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He'll report to minor-league camp.

Guerra was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Guerra had been fighting for a bench spot, but his .136/.208/.182 line didn't help his chances. He made a 13-game big-league debut last season but still has more to prove at the Triple-A level after hitting just .223/.269/.398 for El Paso last season.

Jackson will open the season with Triple-A San Antonio, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Jackson had been in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee but wasn't expected to break camp with the team. The Brewers' bullpen has been getting banged up recently, but Jackson isn't on the 40-man roster, so he he's unlikely to be one of the first few names called upon.

Sims was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

Sims was fighting with Tyler Mahle to break camp as the Reds' fifth starter, but the right-hander will open the year back in the minors after stumbling to an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP through 6.2 innings this spring. He'll remain an option to start for the Reds down the line should another opportunity arise.

Minter (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Minter is expected to get into a spring game within the next few days and then start the regular season rehabbing with Triple-A Gwinnett. He'll open the year on the injured list but expects his stay to be a brief one.