MLB Player News

Venditte was traded to the Phillies on Sunday in exchange for outfielder Joey Curletta.

The 31-year-old spent time with the Blue Jays and Mariners last season but found relatively little success with either organization at the major league level. However, the Phillies lack bullpen depth, and given his niche as a switch-pitcher, Venditte could push for a spot with the big league bullpen if he can piece together a few good spring appearances.

Stewart will sit out for a week due to shoulder tendinitis, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said that he'll be able to do strengthening exercises on his ailing shoulder in the meantime, which should help to limit the time Stewart is on the shelf. However, the Dodgers don't think he'll be ready to start games by the time the regular season rolls around in early April, which certainly hurts his chances of winning a coveted roster spot. A timetable for his return should become clearer as he ramps up his throwing.

Sewald threw two shutout innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, striking out one, and his strong spring could put him in line for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

He doesn't have an overpowering fastball, but Sewald's slider is a weapon that could allow him to be successful in the majors. The Mets' bullpen is in a bit of turmoil at the moment with Jeurys Familia likely facing a suspension to begin the season and Addison Reed struggling, so if Sewald keeps getting outs, there could be a role for him in New York. Despite his 43 minor league saves over the last two seasons, though, don't expect him to figure into the ninth-inning mix.

Voth finally began to develop a feel for his changeup last season, giving him the third pitch he feels he'll need to be successful in the majors, The Washington Post reports. "I've always had the change-up," Voth said, "but it's never been that good."

He's never been a scout's darling as his fastball tops out at 92 mph, but much like Tanner Roark before him, Voth has been effective as he's made his way rung by rung up the ladder in the Nats' farm system. The 24-year-old right-hander looked good in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, tossing 1.2 shutout innings while striking out three including Jay Bruce and Lucas Duda, and with Max Scherzer's finger issue leaving his Opening Day status in question, Voth could well find himself as the team's fifth starter coming out of camp -- a role that would make him worth a late-round dart or reserve pick in NL-only formats.

Gomez tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's win over the Blue Jays.

Gomez has allowed just one run in four appearances this spring. Barring a collapse during spring play, the right-hander likely will open the year as the Phillies' closer, with Hector Neris likely next in line should Gomez falter.

Williams is heading for a second opinion on his elbow after he underwent an MRI earlier in the week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers wouldn't say what the results of the first MRI showed, and the fact that Williams is headed for a second opinion suggests the first batch of tests didn't come back clean. His status will be updated when more information is made available.

Bracho was removed from Saturday's WBC game with an apparent lower-body injury, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

Bracho was escorted off the field by trainers after he was observed walking gingerly around the mound. It's unclear what he specifically injured, and how long it will sideline him, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.

Barraclough allowed two runs on four walks in an inning of work during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The Marlins' setup man posted an elite 14.0 K/9 last season and is a trendy closer-in-waiting pick, but Barraclough's 5.5 BB/9 indicates that he still has a lot to work on. In leagues that reward relievers who rack up strikeouts and holds, he still has tremendous value, but he's unlikely to be much of an asset in WHIP.

Garcia said he is working on adding a splitter to his arsenal this spring, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Garcia has a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider already, but his biggest issue has always been his command. He's managed to keep the walks in check thus far this spring with just one in 5.2 innings. Manager Pete Mackanin admitted that Garcia is on the roster bubble as the Phillies may need his 40-man roster spot if they decide to add a non-roster invitee to their squad when they head north for the start of the regular season. Given Garcia's tools, it is likely he would be claimed by another club looking for bullpen depth.

Thielbar was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

The southpaw, who played independent ball in 2016, carved a path in the majors from 2013 to 2015 with the Twins. Thielbar's best utilized as organizational depth, though, because of his lackluster strikeout punch.