MLB Player News

Wittgren appears to have secured a spot in the Marlins bullpen heading into Opening Day, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

With Wittgren's primary competition for the final spot in the bullpen, Hunter Cervenka and Brian Ellington, optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, it looks like he'll break camp with the big club for the first time in his career. Wittgren has struck out 11 batters in 8.1 innings in Grapefruit League competition, a strong follow-up to the 3.14 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB ratio he submitted in 51.2 innings with the big club as a rookie.

Coleman was reassigned to minor league camp Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He was delayed at the start of camp by a bout of biceps tendinitis, and five innings of one-run ball with a 6:2 K:BB upon his return wasn't enough to force the Reds' hand. That said, given the state of the Reds' bullpen, it seems possible Coleman could be added relatively early on when the team inevitably needs bullpen reinforcements.

Adleman was optioned to minor league camp Tuesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

With the Reds' starting rotation depleted to begin the season, Adleman was in competition for one of the final spots, though his rough spring assured he was sent to the minors instead. The 29-year-old yielded 19 runs on 19 hits across 14.0 innings this spring. He'll likely serve as pitching depth at Triple-A Louisville.

Rusin (oblique) is doubtful for the Rockies' Opening Day roster, the Denver Post's Nick Groke reports.

He threw a live bullpen session Tuesday, but it sounds like he is likely to start the season on the disabled list. Even if he were healthy, it seems like the Rockies are confident enough in some of their young starters that Rusin would have been destined for a middle relief role.

De La Rosa (elbow) was reassigned to the Diamondbacks' minor-league camp Monday, MLB.com's Owen Perkins reports.

De La Rosa hasn't pitched all spring while he receives alternative treatments to Tommy John surgery to address the ailing elbow on his throwing arm. Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that De La Rosa, who threw a bullpen session Monday, would continue his progression in the minors, so expect him to spend time at multiple affiliates as he looks to work his way back into consideration for a role with the big club later in the season.

Ellington was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

He notched a 4.35 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 10.1 innings this spring. Ellington will serve as organizational right-handed relief depth at Triple-A.

Sewald was reassigned to the Mets' minor-league camp Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Sewald's removal from the bullpen competition should aid right-hander Josh Edgin's chances of making the Opening Day roster. It's expected that Sewald, who impressed in spring training with a 2.51 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a .143 batting average against over 14.1 innings, will report to Triple-A Las Vegas once camp draws to a close.

Mayers was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Mayers finished with a sharp 1.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 11 spring innings, and the 25-year-old likely made an impression on Cardinals brass. That said, with options remaining and a solid veteran bullpen in place in St. Louis, Mayers' chances of making the team out of spring training were slim to none to begin with. If he can carry his strong performance into the regular season, he'll be a top call-up option when the Cardinals need reinforcements.

Iglesias (elbow) said Monday that he thinks he has a good chance of being ready to go for Opening Day, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Iglesias suffered a bone bruise on his right elbow back on March 14 and has not seen action in a game since. However, the 27-year-old is slated to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and pitch in a minor-league exhibition game prior to Opening Day. If all goes well with the next steps in his recovery, Iglesias will be in place as the Reds' closer to open the season.

Bracho (hamstring) struck out two batters on his way to a perfect inning Saturday.

It was Bracho's first spring game since injuring his hamstring during the World Baseball Classic a couple weeks ago, and the 24-year-old picked up right where he left off. He has now tossed four scoreless innings this spring, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three.