MLB Player News

Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

The Cubs pared their camp roster down to 45 players Friday but optioning and reassigning 11 players, including Johnson. The young right-hander was shelled for three home runs in just 4.0 innings of work this spring and will work on his craft down at minor league camp until the regular season gets underway.

Hernandez pitched a scoreless inning in a minor league game Friday, the Wilmington News Journal reports.

Hernandez struck out two and sat between 92-94 mph with his fastball. It was originally reported that he would pitch in a Grapefruit League game Saturday, but those plans have apparently changed. He said after Friday's appearance that there is no discomfort in his triceps when pitching, but he does have a little stiffness when cooling down. He seems to be on track in his recovery from triceps tendinitis.

Ottavino (elbow) will throw 15 pitches off a mound Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He will open the 2016 season on the 60-day DL after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. So far, there have been no reported setbacks Ottavino's recovery, and the Rockies will hope that continues as he ramps up his throwing activity. Jake McGee, Jason Motte, and Chad Qualls were brought in this offseason to bolster the back-end of the Colorado bullpen.

The Reds optioned Stephenson down to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Stephenson was one of eight players sent down Friday. The Reds don't think that Stephenson is quite ready, and as a rebuilding franchise there's little reason to rush him. He will likely get called up later in the season.

Rutckyj was re-acquired by the Yankees on Friday.

After being selected by the Braves in December's Rule 5 draft, Rutckyj will return to the Yankees organization. The lefty has been assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Sims was assigned to minor league camp Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Sims held his own at Double-A last season, and that's where he could end up beginning 2016 after posting a 3.40 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in nine 2015 starts.

Stephenson allowed six runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings against Cleveland on Thursday, giving up six hits, a walk and a hit batter. Stephenson didn't command his fastball well in the outing.

The acquisition of Alfredo Simon affords the Reds the chance to have Stephenson begin the year at Triple-A Louisville. Thursday's outing demonstrated that a minor league stint is probably a good idea.

Hernandez is scheduled to pitch in a Grapefruit League game Saturday, the PhillyVoice reports.

Hernandez pitched one inning in a minor league game earlier this week as he works his way back from triceps tendinitis. The injury may have cost Hernandez his shot at opening the year as the Phillies' closer. Pitching coach Bob McClure said he is leaning toward Andrew Bailey as the choice for closing duties. Manager Pete Mackanin has yet to settle on a closer, however, so Hernandez may have time yet to earn the job.

De Leon was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday.

Julio Urias was reassigned as well, leaving Michael Bolsinger, Brandon Beachy, and Zach Lee to compete for the final spot in the Dodgers' rotation. De Leon struck out five batters without issuing a walk in six innings with the big club this spring, but also surrendered three homers, including two in his last appearance. He had a 105:29 K:BB with 11 homers allowed in 76.2 innings with Double-A Tulsa after making the jump from High-A last season.

Pomeranz remains in the mix for one of San Diego's final two rotation spots and has added a cutter to his usual two-pitch arsenal which could help him win the job, MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz has given up two runs in 4.2 innings this spring with four strikeouts and one walk. He'll be an intriguing end game pick if he makes the rotation given his high strikeout rates (8.6 K/9 last season) and home park. He'll work out of the bullpen if he losses out on a rotation spot and could be part of the setup corps.