MLB Player News

Law figures to be part of the Nationals' high-leverage crew this season, but it's not clear if he'll get a chance to audition for the open closer role.

Speaking to reporters earlier in camp, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that Law would be a key bullpen piece for Washington, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "We don't have a proven commodity at that position, but if the season started today, we would have a guy that we would say would be our ninth-inning guy," Rizzo said. "I don't know who it is yet. It could be Jose Ferrer. It could be Jorge Lopez. Law could have some leverage innings. And it could come from somebody that we haven't thought about yet." The latter category might also include Lucas Sims, who signed with the team earlier this week. Law has mainly been a middle reliever during a big-league career that stretches back to 2016, but he is coming off one of his best statistical seasons, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings with career highs in appearances (75), wins (seven) and holds (17).

Holmes struck out three over three perfect innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 31-year-old right-hander has made only four starts among his 311 career big-league appearances and none since 2018, but Holmes' attempt to win a spot in the Mets' rotation this spring got off to a brilliant start. He fired 26 of 34 pitches for strikes, and per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Holmes worked in seven changeups and a couple cutters, two new pitches that could help expand his arsenal from the sinker/slider/sweeper mix that allowed him to rack up 74 saves over the last three seasons for the Yankees.

Manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Miller is dealing with some finger numbness, but the issue isn't significant enough to require any medical testing, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The left-hander is expected to be ready to go within the next few days, but the Giants planned to slow play him early in camp regardless of the injury due to workload concerns. Miller made 73 appearances as a rookie last year and had a 3.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB across 67.1 innings while recording 14 holds.

Jimenez could end up missing the entire 2025 season as he recovers from offseason knee surgery, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta hasn't ruled the right-hander out yet, and if his rehab goes well he could rejoin the big-league bullpen soon after the All-Star break. Jimenez had the best statistical season of his career in 2024 despite pitching with pain in his left knee from July on, posting a 2.62 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 82:23 K:BB over 68.2 innings while racking up a career-high 27 holds. In his absence, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer and Dylan Lee figure to be the primary setup men for closer Raisel Iglesias. "I'm just focusing on my rehab," Jimenez said this week in camp. "Obviously it's a long process, but I come here every day to work and try to do everything that I can just to make it right now."

Reynolds is in a walking boot Sunday due to a stress reaction in his right foot and is expected to remain in the boot for 10 more days, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made his big-league debut last summer and had a 0.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 11 innings before finishing the year in the minors, but the foot injury could derail his chances of winning a spot on San Diego's Opening Day roster. Even if Reynolds begins the campaign back at Triple-A El Paso, it should only be a matter of time before he's back in the big leagues.

Merryweather (knee) pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed a hit and a walk.

Merryweather missed the majority of last season due to rib and knee injuries and ended up making only 15 appearances for the Cubs, with his last one coming on Aug. 25. While he likely won't be in the mix for saves in 2025 with Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge around, it's encouraging just to see Merryweather back on the mound. He figures to work in middle relief and likely won't have a ton of fantasy appeal in most formats.

Castillo was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to left adductor tightness, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Castillo went down after trying to catch a wild throw from Jordan Lawlar on a play at first base. The severity of Castillo's injury isn't immediately clear, but the Diamondbacks will likely give him at least a few days to recover before deploying him in another exhibition game.

Mlodzinski said Saturday that he is building volume this spring to become a starter, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mlodzinski reportedly had conversations with the Pirates at the end of last season about transitioning into a starting role -- something he views as a long-term goal. However, he added that he remains open to working in any role the Pirates need him to fill. The 26-year-old righty was given an opportunity to start Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, during which he surrendered two earned runs on four hits over two innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Phillips (shoulder) being ready for Opening Day is in doubt, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Phillips' shoulder problems date back to last year's postseason, as a torn rotator cuff prevented him from playing in the World Series. He's gotten back to throwing off a mound since the start of spring training, but he has already been ruled out for Los Angeles' two-game series against the Cubs in Tokyo.

Sims will throw a live batting practice session Sunday, his first one since signing with the Nationals on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The veteran right-hander is a little behind the Nats' other relief arms after signing late, but his availability for Opening Day isn't in jeopardy. Sims is coming off a bumpy 2024 split between Boston and Cincinnati, but he posted a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 72:39 K:BB over 61 innings for the Reds in 2023, and he figures to be in the high-leverage mix for a Washington squad with a very unsettled bullpen picture.