MLB Player News

Kerkering threw a clean inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, striking out two while picking up a hold.

Kerkering now holds a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while fanning three over three innings during spring training so far. The 23-year-old right-hander showed plenty of promise out of Philadelphia's bullpen in his first full season in the major leagues, featuring a 2.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 74:14 K:BB across 63 regular-season frames a year ago. Kerkering is slated to start 2025 in a setup role behind presumed closer Jordan Romano, but it's not out of the question that the former sees some ninth-inning work at some point later in the season.

Alvarado fired a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Tampa Bay, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three.

Alvarado has looked sharp in the Grapefruit League thus far, tossing three scoreless innings with seven punchouts. The hard-throwing left-hander is one of several Phillies arms competing for saves chances in 2025, and his results are worth noting due to Matt Strahm having yielded six runs in 1.2 innings this spring. Jordan Romano still appears to be first in line when it comes to ninth-inning work, but Alvarado is at least working to entrench himself as a high-leverage option and perhaps even leapfrog Strahm as Philadelphia's top lefty reliever.

Reid-Foley cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse.

The Mets placed Reid-Foley on waivers Tuesday in an effort to create space on their 40-man roster, and he'll officially stick with the organization after the other 29 clubs passed on the opportunity to claim him. The 29-year-old righty posted a 1.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 21.2 innings last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in June. A similar start in Triple-A could earn him a spot back in New York's bullpen.

Blalock could make Colorado's Opening Day roster as a starter or long reliever, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Blalock made his big-league debut with the Brewers and Rockies in 2024, throwing 30.2 innings, primarily as a starter. He struggled to a 5.87 ERA and 1.79 WHIP paired with a 20:20 K:BB. However, Blalock has impressed this spring, allowing only two earned runs with a 10:1 K:BB across nine frames. Saunders notes that Blalock's most likely role is in long relief, though he'd be an option for the rotation if Austin Gomber (shoulder) remains sidelined.

The Padres reassigned Wendelken to minor-league camp Thursday.

Wendelken had made 144 big-league appearances over stops with the Athletics and Diamondbacks from 2016 through 2022 before heading overseas and spending the last two seasons in Japan with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The 31-year-old right-hander returned stateside and inked a minor-league deal with the Padres over the winter, and after giving up five earned runs in 1.2 innings over his two Cactus League appearances, he was unable to win a spot in San Diego's Opening Day bullpen. Unless the Padres allow him to enter free agency, Wendelken will likely begin the upcoming season at Triple-A El Paso.

King tossed two scoreless and hitless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League contest against Colorado, allowing two walks while striking out three batters.

King didn't have great control in the outing -- only 17 of his 35 pitches were strikes -- but he didn't allow any hits and got six whiffs on the 11 swings against him. The right-hander is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign (his first with the Padres and as a full-time starter) during which he posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 201:63 K:BB over 173.2 regular-season innings. King and Dylan Cease are expected to work as San Diego's top hurlers in 2025.

Strahm recorded two outs in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, giving up four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one.

While Jordan Romano is the early favorite for saves after signing in December, the situation isn't fully settled given Philadelphia's propensity to mix-and-match the ninth inning. Strahm has now allowed six runs in 1.2 frames this spring, which isn't going to help his cause as a candidate for ninth-inning work as he looks to cement his status as Philadelphia's top left-handed bullpen option over Jose Alvarado. Strahm is still likely to begin the campaign as a high-leverage arm after boasting a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 79:11 K:BB over 62.2 frames a year ago, and he could be worth a late-round flier given his strikeout upside, especially in leagues that count holds.

The Brewers placed Hall (lat) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jose Quintana, whose signing was officially announced Wednesday. Hall entered Brewers camp with a left lat strain, and while he's expected to resume playing catch by the end of this week, it's going to be a slow build-up process for the left-hander. He won't be eligible to return until late May.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that the hope is Gravemen (back) will be ready to throw a bullpen session this weekend, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Graveman had to undergo testing after developing some mid-back tightness, but imaging came back clean and he's on the mend. He would seem to be at least a week or so from his Cactus League debut, so Graveman could be cutting it close in regards to Opening Day.

Kranick has posted a 7:0 K:BB over 6.1 scoreless innings through his first three Grapefruit League appearances, and Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that Kranick could be putting himself into position to win a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen.

The 27-year-old righty appeared to be on the outside looking in for a spot on the 26-man roster, but the Mets waived Sean Reid-Foley on Tuesday, and neither Dedniel Nunez (elbow) nor A.J. Minter (hip) are guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day. Kranick hit 98 mph with his fastball out of the bullpen at Triple-A Syracuse last year, and his sweeper has drawn raves from scouts. He could provide New York with a long-relief option to begin the campaign.