MLB Player News

Richards recorded six strikeouts and gave up two hits and one walk across five scoreless innings during Tuesday's spring game against the Mets.

Richards has put together an impressive spring training with 14 strikeouts over 13.1 innings while allowing eight hits and two walks. The 25-year-old had a 4.42 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 130:54 K:BB in 25 starts during his rookie campaign last year, and appears fairly well locked in at the back end of the Marlins' starting rotation.

Manager Craig Counsell announced Tuesday that Nelson (shoulder) will not be present on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Nelson tossed one inning during his spring debut Monday -- his first game action since undergoing shoulder surgery in September 2017 -- so this news isn't much of a surprise. The 29-year-old will continue to pitch on a regular five-day schedule, which could put him back on the mound in one of Milwaukee's split-squad games Saturday. There's been no indication of when Nelson might be ready to make his regular-season return, but the team is likely to remain cautious given the extensive layoff.

Strop will take a break from throwing off a mound after an MRI on Monday revealed a mild right hamstring strain, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Strop will continue throwing but is unlikely to do so off a mound before the end of this week. The 33-year-old did miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury late last season, but the current injury affects the opposite leg. Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the injury, but also admitted the possibility that Strop may not be ready for Opening Day, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Carl Edwards and Steve Cishek would be candidates to take over the closer's role should his absence extend into the regular season, as Brandon Morrow (elbow) isn't expected to see game action until May.

Santillan was sent to minor-league camp Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan got to open camp with the major leaguers, but he has just 11 Double-A starts under his belt, so he was never expected to break camp with the team. It's unclear if he'll open at Triple-A Louisville or if he'll need more time with Pensacola.

Payamps was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Payamps made five starts and one relief appearance for Reno last season without much success, finishing with a 7.18 ERA. He'll need to conquer that level before seriously challenging for a major-league roster spot.

Clarke was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Clarke spent the entirety of 2018 with Reno, recording a 4.03 ERA in 27 starts. He'll remain there waiting for an injury to open up a rotation spot.

Blach tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and two walks while striking out three in Monday's spring win over the Dodgers.

Blach lowered his spring ERA to 3.24 over 8.1 innings, all coming in multi-inning relief appearances. The soft-tossing southpaw has had little success as a starter, and it looks like the team isn't giving him too much of a shot at winning a rotation spot based on his usage this spring.

The Braves optioned Webb (hand) to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Webb wasn't likely to pitch over the next couple days after sustaining a hand contusion over the weekend, but the injury never really affected his chances of breaking camp with the big club. The right-hander's lack of prior big-league experience always made it likely that he'd open the season in the minors, though his place on the 40-man roster gives him a decent shot at surfacing in Atlanta at some point in 2019. Webb was one of Gwinnett's top relievers upon receiving a promotion from Double-A Mississippi last season, as he turned in a 3.13 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB In 31.2 innings.

Dominguez has allowed just one run in 5.1 innings so far this spring, striking out five while walking one.

Dominguez's role for the upcoming season remains unclear. The 24-year-old led the Phillies in saves last season with 16, but the team brought in David Robertson over the offseason. The Phillies reportedly want to use Robertson in a versatile, high-leverage role, in line with manager Gabe Kapler's progressive approach. Dominguez also fits that role well, as his recent experience as a starter enables him to work longer outings. It's possible that the saves will go to whomever happens to still be available in the ninth inning. A clearer picture of the late-inning breakdown may not emerge until the season gets underway.

Ponce de Leon is out of the running for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

Either John Gant or Dakota Hudson will win the fifth starter's spot, while Carlos Martinez (shoulder) could join the rotation in May or June. Considering Ponce de Leon has minor-league options remaining, this likely means he is ticketed for the Triple-A rotation to start the season.