MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo may hold off on naming a closer prior to Opening Day, which means Ginkel remains an option to earn saves during the regular season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo maintains his preference is to have one primary closer, but he believes none of the group that includes Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk have separated from the pack. "Everyone's thrown really well," Lovullo said. " I want somebody to emerge in the moment and see where that goes." The manager also meditated on various late-game scenarios, where it might make sense to use a lefty or righty matchup in the ninth inning. Lovullo also mentioned lefty Joe Mantiply could be used in a specific matchup.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo may not name a closer before the start of the regular season, leaving Puk, Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel as candidates to earn saves, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo insists that his preference is to have one primary closer, but he feels all three candidates are throwing the ball well. He wants to take more time, possibly into the regular season, to evaluate options. Lovullo also mentioned Joe Mantiply while musing on various matchup scenarios for the late innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that he probably won't name a closer at the start of the season and instead will play matchups with Martinez and others, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

A.J. Puk and Kevin Ginkel also figure to be squarely in the mix for saves as Lovullo sorts through his late-inning options. Martinez recorded eight of the team's 11 traditional saves during the final two months of last season, while Puk notched two and Ryan Thompson had the other.

The Brewers reassigned Yoho to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Yoho was arguably the team's most impressive pitcher this spring, allowing just one run and two hits with a 12:3 K:BB over 7.1 innings. However, he's not yet on the 40-man roster, and that worked against him breaking camp with the big club. Yoho should still receive his first promotion to the majors later in 2025.

Atlanta returned Pilar to Miami on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

A Rule 5 selection over the winter, Pilar fanned 12 batters in 5.2 Grapefruit League innings but has also walked six and permitted nine runs. The 27-year-old should open the 2025 season in the Triple-A Jacksonville bullpen, but he'll no longer possess a 40-man roster spot as he rejoins his previous organization.

The Diamondbacks reassigned McGough to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Arizona declined McGough's $4 million team option for 2025 in November before bringing him back on a minor-league deal in February and allowing him to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. After turning in a 7.44 ERA over 26 appearances with the big club in 2024, McGough didn't do much this spring to demonstrate that his performance turned a corner, as he was lit up for six earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. The 35-year-old righty will likely open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Reno.

The Diamondbacks optioned Jameson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

After sitting out the entire 2024 season while recovering from his September 2023 Tommy John surgery, Jameson seemingly operated with no restrictions to begin camp, but having two minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. Before getting demoted, Jameson made six relief appearances in Cactus League play, giving up one earned run on five hits and three walks while striking out four. He'll work out of the bullpen in Reno and should rank near the top of the list for a call-up early on in the season when Arizona requires an extra relief arm.

The Diamondbacks optioned Nelson to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Nelson is healthy again after missing most of the 2024 season while recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he had struggled with his command and control this spring, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks over 5.2 innings in Cactus League play. He'll look to shake off the rust in Reno and put himself in consideration for a call-up later on this season.

Brzykcy (quad) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Brzykcy has made just one appearance this spring due to a right quad injury that appears to have lingered longer than expected. It's not clear how much time the reliever might miss.

Diaz has posted a 4:3 K:BB through 2.1 innings over three Grapefruit League innings this spring, allowing two runs on three hits.

While the small-sample ratios aren't pretty, the fact that four of Diaz's seven outs this spring have come via strikeout should be reassuring to potential fantasy investors. The veteran closer had an erratic 2024 as well -- his seven blown saves tied his career high -- but being one year further removed from the ACL surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2023 campaign should help him regain his elite form.