MLB Player News

Lamet exited Sunday's spring training game early with an apparent injury, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet faced six batters before exiting the game with the team trainer during the second inning. The cause of his removal wasn't clear, so it's possible that it was a precautionary move with Opening Day just days away. We'll have to await word from the Padres on his official status. Lamet is due to take the mound March 30 against the Brewers.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon wants to see Strop make one more Cactus League appearance before deciding on his availability for Opening Day, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Strop, who was slowed by a calf injury earlier in spring training, made his Cactus League debut Thursday and pitched again Saturday. The right-hander tossed two perfect innings with two strikeouts, so he's trending in the right direction, but Maddon wants to see a little more before he deems Strop ready to go. Assuming Strop doesn't suffer any setbacks, it looks like he should be ready for the start of the regular season.

Hader has thrown 8.1 scoreless innings over seven spring training appearances while posting a 0.72 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB.

Hader routinely dominated big-league hitters last year as a rookie, and that has carried over to Cactus League play, where opposing hitters have mustered just four hits and a .138 batting average against Hader. He posted a superb 12.8 K/9 a year ago over 47.2 MLB innings and finished with 68 strikeouts despite not debuting until June 10, so it's not hard to envision him topping 100 punchouts in 2018 with a full season at the top level. He will begin the year as the top left-handed option in the Brewers' bullpen, and despite being a southpaw and lacking ninth-inning experience, would be in the mix for saves should incumbent closer Corey Knebel cede the role for any reason.

The Nationals reassigned Smith to their minor-league camp Saturday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

As a 28-year-old, Smith reached the big leagues for the first time of his career in 2017, making four appearances out of the Toronto bullpen. Smith didn't impress in those outings and was quickly outrighted off the 40-man roster, forcing him to settle for a minor-league pact with the Nationals over the winter. After being dismissed Saturday as part of the big club's wave of cuts, Smith looks destined to open the season in the Triple-A Syracuse bullpen.

Blach is the frontrunner to start for the Giants on Opening Day against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Madison Bumgarner (hand) and Jeff Samardzija (pectoral) unavailable due to injuries and Johnny Cueto off schedule, it looks like Blach could toe the rubber for the Giants' season opener. The 27-year-old southpaw posted a 4.78 ERA and 4.0 K/9 across 163.2 innings last season (24 starts, 10 relief appearances), so while he may start for the Giants on Opening Day, there are better fantasy options out there.

Mayers was informed Saturday that he made the Cardinals' 25-man roster, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Mayers threw yet another scoreless frame Saturday -- he hasn't been scored upon in 12 innings this spring -- and afterward manager Mike Matheny told the right-hander that he will indeed head north with the club. The Cardinals' back-end situation is wide open at the moment with Luke Gregerson (hamstring) headed to the DL, and while Mayers will be a long shot to see saves, he could force his way into the setup mix if he continues to pitch like this.

Collins was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

A non-roster invitee to Nationals camp, Collins made a respectable run at a roster spot, but his bid ultimately fell short. Collins has not appeared in the majors since 2014.

Adams was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Adams was never believed to be in serious contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, his 40-man spot should be safe for now after he racked up a whopping 91 strikeouts in 59 innings with Syracuse last season. Control issues have held him back, but if Adams can improve in that regard, he could get another look at the big-league level this summer.

Smith (elbow) remains on track to rejoin the Giants on May 1, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith continues to slowly work his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent prior to the 2017 season. The southpaw is scheduled to throw three rounds of live batting practice April 1, 5 and 9 before embarking on a rehab assignment and ultimately rejoining the big club. Once healthy, Smith should quickly work his way back into a high-leverage relief role as the team's top lefty.

Suarez is being considered as an in-house replacement for the Giants' newly opened fifth starter job, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Suarez was recently shipped back to the minors after posting a 7.62 ERA over 13 innings this spring and failing to win a rotation gig over the likes of Chris Stratton or Ty Blach. The Giants will have to reconsider the promising southpaw following the injuries to Madison Bumgarner (hand) and Jeff Samardzija (pectoral) this past week. Derek Holland should fill one of the voids, but Suarez and fellow prospect Tyler Beede are being considered to fill in when the Giants ultimately need a fifth starter a few weeks into the regular season. Both rookies struggled this spring, but the 24-year-old southpaw had the better 2017 campaign, posting strong ERAs at Double-A Richmond (2.96) and Triple-A Sacramento (3.55). As previously stated, the Giants could opt to skip their fifth starter spot a couple times before having to make a decision on activating one of their top pitching prospects, but those in deeper formats could take a flyer on Suarez or Beede in the scenario that either makes the rotation and sticks there for more than the anticipated handful of starts.