MLB Player News

Reyes (elbow) pitched in an intrasquad game Sunday, marking his first simulated game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery last February, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Reyes was initially slated to toss live batting practice Sunday, but the Cardinals evidently felt it wasn't too much of a stretch to have him face hitters in a controlled setting. It isn't clear how many pitches Reyes threw in the session, but Hummel's report notes that the 23-year-old hit teammate Harrison Bader with a pitch before allowing a home run to Bader in the following at-bat. Reyes is slated to open the season on the 10-day disabled list, but the Cardinals are hopeful he'll be ready to contribute out of the bullpen in early May.

Jansen (hamstring) will pitch in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Jansen said his hamstring felt fine during Monday's minor-league contest, clearing the way for him to return to Cactus League action. The issue was never thought to be anything overly serious, and barring any setbacks throughout the remainder of camp, Jansen should be good to go for the start of the season.

Wilson has lowered his leg kick during the offseason to help with his command, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wilson struggled after coming over to the Cubs last season in a July trade, posting a 5.09 ERA and 19 walks in 17.2 innings. The focus on command seems to be working so far for the lefty, as he has yet to walk a batter through four Cactus League appearances. If Wilson can limit the walks during the regular season, he could pitch more like he did before the trade last year, when he had a 2.68 ERA with the Tigers.

Leone recorded his third save of the Grapefruit League slate in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals, working around a walk to deliver a scoreless ninth inning.

While Luke Gregerson (oblique) has been on the shelf for most of the spring, Leone seems to have emerged as the top candidate to open the season as the Cardinals' closer in the event Gregerson remains unavailable. Though he lacks the experience that Gregerson and Bud Norris have in the ninth inning, Leone, who works in the mid-90s and has done a good job of limiting walks and home runs during his four seasons in the big leagues, compares favorably from a skills standpoint. If Leone continues his strong form the rest of the spring, it's not difficult to imagine him being named closer even if Gregerson makes a full recovery by Opening Day.

The Pirates reassigned Magnifico to their minor-league camp Monday.

Magnifico made it to the big leagues with the Angels for the season and appeared in one game, but otherwise toiled in the high minors, covering 53.1 innings with four teams across three organizations and posting a combined 6.24 ERA and 1.93 WHIP. Those numbers forced Magnifico to settle for a minor-league contract in the offseason and made him an extreme long shot to break camp with the Pirates as a non-roster invitee. The hard-throwing right-hander is expected to open the 2018 campaign with Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates optioned Holmes to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Holmes was solid if unspectacular during his first season at Indianapolis last season, posting a 3.36 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 99:59 K:BB in 112.2 innings in the International League. That performance wasn't enough to give him a realistic shot at cracking the Pirates' rotation out of spring training, however, so the 24-year-old will head back to the minor-league ranks and bide his time until injuries open up a spot for him with the big club.

Melancon gave up a homer in his lone inning Sunday, but also recorded his first strikeout of spring training in a win over the Padres.

Melancon was eased back into action after undergoing pronator surgery this past September. He was issued a clean bill of health heading into camp and has reported no setbacks after making two appearances in Cactus League action. The 32-year-old posted an unexpected 4.50 ERA in an injury-shortened season, but he will look to bounce back while serving as the Giants' closer to begin the season.

Paredes gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Sunday.

Paredes has given up five runs over 4.1 spring innings. Despite the poor results, he has struck out a whopping 10 batters in that span. The 31-year-old was already on the fringe of making the 25-man roster, and his poor returns all but assure a return to Triple-A Oklahoma with Scott Alexander and Tony Cingrani serving as the Dodgers' left-handed relievers to start the year.

Hudson left Cardinals spring training and was assigned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Hudson threw 4.2 innings across three games this spring. He managed to allow just a single run, despite giving up eight hits and five walks while logging just two strikeouts. He'll likely open the year at Triple-A Memphis, where he posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over seven games last year.

Helsley was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday.

Helsley's spring showing left much to be desired. The righty appeared in three games (4.2 innings) and gave up four runs. His control was lacking, as he allowed seven hits and pieced together a 2:4 K:BB. He'll likely open the year at Double-A Springfield or Triple-A Memphis.