MLB Player News

Burdi threw a perfect inning against the Twins on Wednesday.

The Rule 5 pickup, who spent one month on Pittsburgh's roster last season, will need to stay with the team an additional two months or be offered back to Minnesota. "He's come in in a good spot. He's been competing. He's been making pitches," manager Clint Hurdle said. "The velocity's playing. The slider's come into play a little bit. He continues to give you things to think about." Burdi has posted a 1.93 ERA in 9.2 spring innings, including a 13:3 K:BB. As a result, there's a good chance he takes the last bullpen spot and pitches in middle relief to start 2019.

Chargois was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Chargois failed to secure a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen after posting a 5.40 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB through 6.2 innings this spring. The right-hander compiled a 3.34 ERA and 11.1 K/9 out of Los Angeles' bullpen in 2018, so he figures to join the big club whenever a fresh arm is needed.

Hudson is expected to break camp with the Cardinals as either a starter or a reliever, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Hudson and John Gant are batting for the Cardinals' final rotation spot, but the loser is expected to make the team in a long-relief role. Hudson would have the edge based on spring stats, as he owns a 1.72 ERA and 17:4 K:BB in 15.2 frames.

Ponce de Leon was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The move is not surprising, as Ponce de Leon had been mostly ruled out of the rotation conversation earlier in March. The 27-year-old could return at some point this season looking to build on the 2.73 ERA he recorded in his 33-inning debut last year.

Pivetta allowed three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in a five-inning start Wednesday against the Astros, striking out eight batters.

The start wasn't Pivetta's best in terms of runs allowed, but his Grapefruit League ERA still sits at a strong 3.31. The righty will make one more spring start and will then be lined up to pitch the Phillies' second game of the season March 30 against the Braves, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. The fact that Pivetta will pitch ahead of Jake Arrieta in the rotation is a vote of confidence from the organization, indicating that the Phillies think the Canadian's 3.80 FIP last season is more representative of his true talent than his 4.77 ERA.

Suarez is a strong candidate to begin the year in the minors, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Suarez is competing for a back-end rotation spot, but it sounds like veteran southpaws Drew Pomeranz and Derek Holland remain ahead of the youngster. The combination of remaining minor-league options and marginal results this spring (5.11 ERA over 12.1 innings) support Pavlovic's expectation for the sophomore beginning the year with Triple-A Sacramento. The 25-year-old hasn't been sent down yet, but fantasy owners shouldn't count on getting any starts out of the lefty early in the season.

Erceg has been informed he won't break camp with the Brewers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The news is hardly a surprise, as Erceg has yet to play above Double-A and struggled there last season, hitting .248/.306/.382 in 123 games for Biloxi. It's unknown whether he'll have to repeat Double-A or will open the season with Triple-A San Antonio.

Sims started against the White Sox on Tuesday night and allowed two runs on three hits, including a homer by Jose Abreu. He also allowed two walks while striking out one.

Sims is competing with Tyler Mahle to be the injury fill-in while Alex Wood is out, but he has an ERA of 8.10 over 6.2 innings. He also has options remaining, so the bullpen is unlikely for him, with teammates Matt Wisler and Robert Stephenson out of options.

Stephenson (shoulder) made his spring training debut Tuesday night, throwing a scoreless inning against the White Sox.

That Stephenson pitched in a major-league spring training game instead of a "B" game might indicate that the team isn't viewing a DL trip to begin the season as a possibility. With him out of options, the Reds' choices on what to do with him are limited.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Nelson (shoulder) will open the season on the injured list, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

This was expected, as the Brewers are proceeding cautiously with Nelson after he missed the entire 2018 season recovering from shoulder surgery. The good news is that the right-hander should be able to pitch at Triple-A San Antonio to begin the season, rather than staying at extended spring training to get up to speed. He'll make a couple of starts with the Missions before being reevaluated.