MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon, who allowed three earned runs on four hits over three innings in a 10-8 Grapefruit League loss to the Mets on Sunday, worked on developing his curveball this winter after using it sparingly last season, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The promising right-hander used the curve occasionally in the minors, but he essentially kept it in mothballs during his 2018 big-league stint. Ponce de Leon only threw 18 curveballs across his 581 major-league offerings, but he focused on developing it this winter in an effort to enhance an arsenal that already includes a four-seam fastball, changeup and cutter. Ponce de Leon focused more on fastball command during his Sunday outing against the Mets, however, and his use of the power pitch helped lead to three strikeouts. Ponce de Leon is one of several candidates for the Cardinals' open rotation spot after generating a solid 2.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 33.0 innings over 11 appearances (four starts) last season.

Minter said Monday that his injured shoulder is feeling better, and he expects to play catch Tuesday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Tuesday's scheduled activity will be Minter's first since exiting Friday's exhibition contest with a tight shoulder. It's likely he would have been held out longer if the Braves were concerned about a serious injury, which bodes well for this being only a minor issue. More should be known about Minter's status once Tuesday's throwing session comes to a close.

Sims gave up three runs on four hits -- including two home runs -- while striking out three in one inning against the Brewers on Sunday.

He was technically the winning pitcher in this one, but it was a poor outing from Sims. The right-hander gave up long balls to Christian Yelich and Manny Pina and also a pair of doubles in his lone frame, raising his Cactus League BAA to .438. It's still early in the spring, but Sims, who has one more minor-league option remaining, is looking like a longshot to break into the Reds' bullpen.

Hernandez hasn't pitched in any spring training games yet and is dealing with right shoulder soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He's next expected to pitch a bullpen session Wednesday.

The Reds earlier had said that Hernandez and Raisel Iglesias were on 'alternate schedules' this spring to manage their workload. But it's unclear whether that decision was made before Hernandez came down with shoulder soreness.

Hader struck out three batters in a perfect inning Sunday against the Reds.

Hader looked to be in midseason form and hit 98 on the radar gun in his first outing of spring training, per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He appears on track to have another spectacular season out of the bullpen after posting a 2.43 ERA with 143 punchouts over 81.1 frames in 2018.

Bracho was removed from Sunday's game against Seattle because of elbow pain, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks still don't know the extent of Bracho's injury, but he's expected to see the team doctor Sunday evening.

Bracho exited Sunday's game against the Mariners with the team trainer after suffering an undisclosed injury, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The details surrounding Bracho's injury are unclear at this point, but it's concerning that he wasn't able to finish the inning.

Reyes will make his spring debut Tuesday in relief against the Phillies, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Reyes will follow starter Jack Flaherty for his first taste of game action since May 29. The promising right-hander subsequently underwent season-ending surgery June 6 and will now resume his latest quest to start delivering on his vast potential Tuesday. The 24-year-old could potentially serve as either a starter or reliever in 2019, though the Cardinals figure to build his workload back up slowly over what remains of spring.

Romero threw three scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out three, walked two, and did not allow a single hit.

Romero moved up one spot in the Phillies' pitching prospect rankings when Sixto Sanchez was shipped to Miami. He's yet to reach Triple-A but posted a solid 3.80 ERA in 18 starts for Double-A Reading last season. If his numbers continue or improve at the Triple-A level, a big-league debut late in the season can't be ruled out.

Richards has ditched his slider and has incorporated a curveball and cut fastball into his arsenal this spring, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander had one of the best changeups in baseball last season -- he allowed a .165 batting average with it and produced a 36.3 percent strikeout rate -- but a mediocre low-90s fastball and ineffective slider let opposing hitters lay off it. The latter will get replaced with a curve he's been working on all offseason at the suggestion of new pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., and Richards is also experimenting with a cutter to add another wrinkle. The Marlins will give him every chance to succeed given their lack of rotation depth, but it's unlikely the new offerings will dramatically improve his fortunes. Last year's splits suggest he could be a semi-useful streaming option at home, but don't expect much fantasy value beyond that.