MLB Player News

Stewart, who can be optioned to the minors without passing through waivers, may end up back at Triple-A to stretch out as a starter if he doesn't break camp on the Dodgers' 25-man roster as a swingman in the bullpen.

If the Dodgers are creative with their use of the 10-day DL again in 2018, Stewart figures to enter the mix as a starter at some point this season, but he may end up shuttling between the rotation and the bullpen at the big-league level, while bouncing back and forth between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

Fields has been dealing with minor arm discomfort since early in training camp and has yet to appear in a Cactus League game this spring, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

There is no specific recovery timetable available for Fields, but the Dodgers may just be exhibiting caution. Hopefully the team will have additional updates regarding the 32-year-old in the near future.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Peters' workload would be monitored carefully this season, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

One of the top arms in a farm system lacking in high-impact pitching talent, Peters reached the big leagues last September and delivered uneven results over his six outings. Though he finished with a 5.17 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 31.1 innings, Peters displayed a knack for generating groundballs, a skill that could earn him a spot in the Marlins' Opening Day rotation. If that's the case, the Marlins won't count on the 25-year-old to work deep into his starts following a season in which he covered only 94.1 frames across four levels while missing two months due to injury. From a fantasy standpoint, the workload limitations are probably less of a concern for Peters than his lack of strikeout stuff, which renders him a low-ceiling option even in NL-only settings.

Strop (calf) is throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Strop has battled a sore calf all spring and has yet to make his spring debut. If his bullpen session goes well, he could make an appearance this weekend. He should have enough time to get up to full speed by Opening Day and resume his role as one of the Cubs' top setup men.

Minter tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one, in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The flamethrowing lefty reliever now has a 3:1 K:BB through 3.1 scoreless innings so far this spring, Minter is set to begin the season as one of Arodys Vizcaino's key setup men, but given Vizcaino's history of injury trouble and erratic career numbers, it's not out of the question for Minter to work his way into the closer role at some point in 2018.

Wittgren (elbow) is throwing live batting practice Tuesday, Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Wittgren is working his way back from September surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. His status for Opening Day is unclear, but he appears to be making progress. He'll be fighting for a role in the Marlins' bullpen this season.

Hand gave up a home run while striking out a pair in his spring training debut Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Despite the minor blemish, Hand has a strong hold on primary closer duties to open the season after posting a 2.16 ERA with 21 saves and a stellar 5.2 K/BB ratio last year. He handled the move from setup man to closer swimmingly after the team dealt Brandon Maurer away at the deadline, so there should be little doubt regarding whether or not Hand will be able to succeed in the role for a full season. The only apparent risk with the dominant southpaw is a scenario where the Padres struggle in the first half of the campaign and move Hand to a contender to be that club's left-handed setup man. That hypothetical situation is a long way away from Opening Day, but it should still be considered when evaluating him during drafts this year. Also keep in mind that manager Andy Green has said he could use Hand occasionally prior to the ninth.

Leiter pitched three scoreless and hitless innings Monday while striking out two in a Grapefruit League win over Minnesota.

Leiter entered the spring in a competition for the final spot in the Phillies' starting rotation and he now possesses a 0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and nine strikeouts through seven innings of spring ball. Leiter worked as both a starter and reliever last season after being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and he produced a very good 8.3 K/9, but struggled to keep the ball in the park (1.79 HR/9) during his rookie campaign.

Leone is near the top of the list of the Cardinals' closer options, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

In Bud Norris and Luke Gregerson, the Cardinals brought in two relievers this offseason who have recorded double-digit save totals in recent seasons, though both fall short of the "proven closer" label. Leone, acquired from the Blue Jays in the Randal Grichuk trade in January, recorded a 29 percent strikeout rate and a 2.56 ERA for Toronto last season. The 26-year-old has the skills to potentially outperform the veterans (a group that also includes Tyler Lyons) and claim the closer role in what appears to be a very open competition.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Underwood is in better shape this spring and is more assertive on the mound, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Underwood, who was selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, has never really gotten going as a professional. Injuries limited him in 2015 and 2016, and he posted a mediocre 4.43 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with Double-A Tennessee last season. "His body is better, he's leaner," Maddon said. "When he came into camp this year, he had a different look about him. This is a guy with a high ceiling, and he hasn't realized it." The 23-year-old will likely head back to Double-A to begin the season, but he could advance to Triple-A at some point if he performs well.