MLB Player News

Rodriguez is slated to make his first start of the regular season Saturday in San Diego, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez posted some spectacular surface numbers (2.81 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 118.1 innings) as a 26-year-old rookie, but a pedestrian 10.9 K-BB% and unsustainable 0.68 HR/9 temper some of the enthusiasm about his prospects heading into 2019. The right-hander did at least display improved velocity this spring, but it didn't translate to a bump in strikeouts (12 in 17 innings) over a small sample.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Gott would be included on the Giants' Opening Day roster, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Gott and Rule 5 selection Travis Bergen claimed the final two openings in the San Francisco bullpen, with both likely to see most of their initial opportunities in lower-leverage scenarios. Over parts of four seasons in the big leagues, Gott owns a 4.64 ERA and 6.1 K/9 in 75.2 innings.

Webb was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Webb was in the running for a bullpen role in camp but ultimately missed out. The 28-year-old had 22 major-league appearances between the Padres and Cardinals last season, and posted a 4.43 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 20.1 innings.

Jansen finished Cactus League play with a 2.84 ERA and 7:1 K:BB in 6.2 innings.

Those numbers don't stand out from the ones Jansen has posted throughout his career, but it's good to see him pitching like his normal self following November heart surgery.

Blach was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Blach lost out on both a starting role and a bullpen spot, but he may not be off the team for long, as he's likely to be one of the first pitchers called up in the event of an injury. In 118.2 innings as a swingman last season, the lefty recorded a mediocre 4.25 ERA, with his quite low 14.7 percent strikeout rate preventing him from being much more than a back-end starter.

Maurer was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Maurer finished spring with a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 3:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings. The right-hander owns an unsightly 6.95 ERA in 90.2 innings over the past two seasons, so he doesn't figure to make an impact at the big-league level in 2019.

Minter (shoulder) didn't experience any unexpected pain while pitching in an inning in a minor-league game Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter was making his first appearance in a game setting since March 1 after left shoulder tightness kept him idle for more than three weeks. The missed time will result in Minter opening the season on the injured list, but barring any setbacks, he should be ready to debut at some point in the first half of April.

Suero is expected to be included on the Nationals' Opening Day roster after the team demoted Austen Williams to Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Suero and Justin Miller won out over Williams in a three-way battle for the final two spots available out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old righty reached the big leagues for the first time in 2018 and logged 40 appearances for Washington, churning out a 3.59 ERA and 47:15 K:BB in 47.2 innings. His usage will likely be limited to lower-leverage spots early on during the upcoming campaign.

The Reds informed Stephenson on Tuesday that he would be included on the Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson closed spring training out on a rough note Monday against the Braves by giving up two runs over two innings, but he turned in a clean slate over his prior two appearances in Cactus League play. That ultimately proved to be enough for Stephenson to secure the final available bullpen spot over Matt Wisler, who was reassigned to the minors. Expect Stephenson to work in lower-leverage spots in long relief for as long as he remains on the 25-man roster.

The Reds informed Peralta on Tuesday that he would be included on the Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Peralta and Robert Stephenson claimed the final two available spots in the bullpen after the Reds reassigned Matt Wisler to the minors. The 27-year-old lefty has made 138 appearances in relief for Cincinnati over the past three seasons, submitting a 4.68 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.