MLB Player News

Payamps allowed two earned runs over an inning of relief in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Padres.

Payamps opened the exhibition season with three straight scoreless outings, but he was touched up for a couple runs in his fourth appearance. Payamps was a steady presence near the back end of Milwaukee's bullpen the last two years, over which he racked up 10 wins and nine saves. He figures to fill a similar role in 2025 and will likely open the campaign as the setup man in front of closer Trevor Megill.

Scott struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save versus the Cubs in Tokyo on Tuesday.

After signing a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason, it's fitting that Scott received and converted the first save opportunity of 2025. The left-hander worked quickly against the heart of Chicago's lineup, throwing eight of 10 pitches for strikes. Scott is expected to be Los Angeles' lead option for the ninth inning, but he could still have some saves vultured since manager Dave Roberts also has Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and, eventually, Michael Kopech (elbow) at his disposal.

Imanaga didn't factor in the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers in Tokyo after he struck out two and allowed no hits and four walks over four scoreless innings.

The left-hander didn't allow a hit while pitching in his home country of Japan, but Los Angeles still generated some opportunities with patience at the plate. Imanaga threw 43 of 69 pitches for strikes and induced 12 whiffs, so the stuff was good even though it didn't result in strikeouts. After posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174:28 K:BB over 173.1 innings as an MLB rookie last year, the 31-year-old produced a quality outing to begin 2025 despite a limited workload.

Puk walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's split-squad game against the Angels.

Arizona had its top two closer candidates working in separate split-squad games Monday. Both Puk and Justin Martinez worked scoreless innings, and both have pitched worthy of being the team's primary closer to start the regular season. Puk owns a 1.50 ERA with three walks and nine strikeouts over six Cactus League innings. Martinez has the same number of walks and strikeouts over the same number of frames, but a 4.50 ERA thanks to one bad outing. Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA) could also factor into the closing decision. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

Martinez struck out two over one inning in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Other than one ugly outing, Martinez has had a strong spring. One of the final questions remaining for the team in spring training is who will be the Diamondbacks' primary closer. Martinez has allowed three runs (all in one outing) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over six Cactus League innings. His primary competition for the job is A.J. Puk (1.50 ERA, six innings), with Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA, 5.1 innings) also in consideration.

The Dodgers selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Garcia will be available out of the bullpen as his club will take on the Cubs in Tokyo during a two-game series set for March 18-19. He got off to a rocky start to the spring by surrendering three runs during his first appearance, but he finished camp by firing 4.1 scoreless frames, ultimately earning a spot on the 26-man roster.

The Cubs placed Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad won't be included on the Cubs' season-opening 28-man roster after he sustained a mild left oblique strain suffered early on in camp, taking him out of the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The right-hander has been throwing in camp, so he could be ready to make his 2025 debut in early April.

Hurt (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The only update the team has provided thus far is that Hurt was cleared to play catch March 2, so it's unknown as to how close he is to a return after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2024. Given the timing of his surgery, Hurt could return in the second half of 2025, especially if the Dodgers opt to bring him back as a reliever rather than stretch him out as a starter.

Phillips (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Phillips isn't expected to be ready for a return from a right shoulder injury until the first or second week of April, and the team has decided a stint on the injured list is in the team's best interest to begin the 2025 regular season. A timetable for his return should come into focus as he gains clearance to face live hitters

Graterol (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Graterol has yet to begin throwing after undergoing surgery in November to repair his right labrum and a right shoulder ligament, so this move is simply procedural. A timetable for his return has yet to be established.