MLB Player News

Peters remains in the running for one of the Marlins' three open rotation spots despite control issues this spring, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald reports.

The 25-year-old left-hander has a 9:8 K:BB through 5.2 spring innings, and Peters is only still part of the rotation battle because no one else has really stepped up. With the organization already indicating plans to monitor Peters' workload this season, it's starting to seem likely that he'll begin the season with Triple-A New Orleans.

Law gave up a run off a hit and a walk in his lone inning of work Saturday against the Angels.

Law fell apart in the second half of last season after serving as a part-time closer at one point. The 27-year-old finished with a 5.06 ERA after posting a sparkling 2.13 ERA in his rookie year. He maintained his solid strikeout rate (8.4 K/9), but his walks (3.4 BB/9) and homers (1.2 HR/9) were the main culprits for his stark regression. How Law performs this spring will largely determine whether he will get another shot in the Giants' bullpen this season. Even if he makes it, the righty won't provide the holds or saves fantasy owners will be searching for in drafts.

Hoffman (shoulder) is not expected to be ready to go by the start of the regular season, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The issue that forced the right-hander out of action last Sunday was dubbed as shoulder soreness, but it seems like the injury is a bit worse than initially expected. Reports say that Hoffman's health is improving, however. "We're just taking it really slow," Hoffman stated. "I'd rather be healthy down the stretch than push it too hard right now." This likely takes him out of contention for the Rockies' final rotation spot to begin the season, seemingly leaving Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela as the final two arms duking it out for the fifth starter role. Hoffman could pitch his way into a more prominent role later on if his shoulder problems subside.

Underwood was assigned to Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

The Cubs were reportedly impressed by how Underwood looked physically this spring. He's been largely injured or ineffective in his professional career, but perhaps the 23-year-old can turn the corner this year if he maintains his shape.

The Cubs assigned Alzolay to Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

Alzolay is one of the Cubs' top prospects, but he's only 23 and has just 32.2 Double-A innings under his belt. The team will want to see him a bit more at that level, but a strong performance could earn him a promotion to Triple-A Iowa at some point this season.

Strop (calf) was sent home due to an illness, Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune reports.

Strop has been working his way back from a sore calf, but that will have to be put on hold while he recovers from flu-like symptoms. Expect the right-hander back in camp by early next week.

Lopez will pitch out of the bullpen for Triple-A Colorado Springs this season, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lopez transitioned from the rotation to the bullpen for Double-A Biloxi in the middle of the 2017 season, but reportedly entered spring camp with the opportunity to work as a starter. That decision was under discussion throughout the first couple weeks of camp and now it's become apparent that he will remain a reliever for the foreseeable future. During 39 appearances with Biloxi last year, he posted a 4.30 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 104.2 innings.

Jansen was scratched from Friday's scheduled appearance due to hamstring tightness. He is expected to take the mound for a minor-league game Monday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Jansen was tabbed to pitch an inning during Friday's contest following a bout with a nasty illness that worked its way through the Dodger's clubhouse, but now it's evident that the right-hander failed to appear because of a tweaked hamstring that he suffered during warmups. On a positive note, the team didn't believe it was serious enough to warrant an MRI. If all goes well during Monday's outing, expect him back on the mound in a Cactus League contest by the end of next week.

Jansen (illness) will not take the mound during Friday's spring game as previously scheduled, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

The Dodgers didn't specify why Jansen wouldn't take the mound but it likely has something to do with an illness that he continues to recover from. Barring an unexpected injury of some sort, there shouldn't be much concern for Jansen's availability moving forward as he's likely to pitch in the coming days.

Hernandez has been optioned to Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Hernandez reached the majors for the first time in 2017 and struggled to a 5.18 ERA in 24.1 innings. The 26-year-old struck out a solid 26.9 percent of batters but walked far too many at 20.4 percent. He'll return to Triple-A Louisville, where he struggled similarly, walking as many batters as he struck out (19) in 17 innings. He won't be a significant part of a major-league bullpen until he can improve his control.