MLB Player News

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Although Garcia earned a call-up in 2016, he didn't see any game action and hasn't pitched above Double-A in his career. With Miami's multiple offseason pitching acquisitions, it was unlikely the 24-year-old was going to win a spot in the rotation, so he'll head to Triple-A and work his way towards a call-up.

Smith will make his spring debut Friday after missing time with elbow inflammation, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Smith's injury was never considered overly serious, but the club decided to take it slow with the southpaw during an extended spring training. Manager Bruce Bochy said he wanted Smith to get in six spring training appearances before the season, and with the 27-year-old back in the lineup, he still has plenty of time to reach that mark. Barring any setbacks, Smith should open the season as the left-handed setup man for the Giants.

Miller will start Friday's split-squad game against the Mariners, MLB.com reports.

Friday's start will mark Miller's first Cactus League appearance since March 6, when he was rocked for six runs on five hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. There was never any mention of an injury. Miller's first year with the Diamondbacks was a disaster but he's still right there in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation -- the Diamondbacks have two spots open to fill between Miller, Patrick Corbin and Archie Bradley.

Snow was reassigned to minor league camp Friday.

The right-hander had tossed 3.1 perfect innings in spring training, with four strikeouts and one walk, and comes off a 2.83 ERA in 54 innings (61 strikeouts, 15 walks) combined with Double-A Jackson and Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners system last season. Snow will probably settle in with Triple-A Colorado Springs initially, though that hitter-friendly environment may throw a big obstacle in the way of him posting solid numbers.

Beato was reassigned to minor league camp Friday.

The right-handed reliever rattled off a 2.65 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts for the Orioles' Triple-A Norfolk affiliate last year. Beato may carve out a decent role as a middle reliever or mop-up option for Philadelphia, though he'll have to wait in line to return to the big leagues.

Venditte arrived in Phillies camp on Thursday afternoon, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Venditte was acquired Sunday in a trade with the Mariners. He had been pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. The ambidextrous pitcher is competing for a bullpen spot, but is likely ticketed to open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Blach entered Wednesday's spring training game as a reliever, surrendering four runs on five hits in his two innings of work.

Blach -- who is competing for the Giants' fifth starter spot -- has taken a step back in his last two outings, surrendering six runs and watching his Cactus League ERA rise to 5.56 in 11.1 innings. Matt Cain was considered the favorite to win the job out of camp, and that stance hasn't changed. Even with both pitchers struggling this spring, Blach's primary usage as a reliever tells us how the Giants view his role heading into the season. The lefty still has a good shot to make the Opening Day roster, but it would likely be in a long-relief role.

Ottavino may open the year as the setup man, with Greg Holland potentially opening the year as the closer, the Denver Post's Nick Groke reports.

Groke referred to Holland as "the man to whom the Rockies will probably pin closer status next month," and while there has been no official word from the team or quotes to support this notion, the Rockies beat writer is as plugged in as anyone, so his opinion on the matter carries a lot of weight. Ottavino was dominant last season, but he has just 11 career saves compared to Holland's 145, so inexperience may be working against him here. He is still worth rostering in most deeper formats, given the fact that Holland is coming back from Tommy John surgery and nothing has been officially announced regarding who will close, but he needs to be downgraded significantly following Groke's take on the matter.

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The right-hander was touched up for five runs in his only big-league appearance last year, which lasted two-thirds of an inning for the Mets. The 24-year-old put together a fine stretch with Double-Mississippi, though, boasting a 2.27 ERA in 25 appearances, with 50 strikeouts in 35.2 innings. If Morris can work on his control (21 walks in that time), perhaps a bullpen role with Atlanta awaits.

Sims was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The right-hander has lost his once promising prospect stock, having put together ERAs no lower than 4.20 over his last three combined minor league seasons. At this point the 22-year-old is looking more likely to relieve than start for the Braves, but his fastball/curveball combo could be devastating out of the bullpen if he can display even fringe average command.