MLB Player News

Reynolds was optioned to Triple-A El Paso by the Padres on Saturday.

Reynolds struck out four and didn't allow a hit over two scoreless Cactus League innings but is nonetheless an early cut. The 25-year-old really struggled at El Paso down the stretch last season after being acquired from the Marlins in the Garrett Cooper trade. A better start in 2024 will help him push for his first big-league appearance.

Lopez has yielded just one run with a 3:1 K:BB over his first five innings of Grapefruit League action as he bids for the fifth spot in Atlanta's rotation, including three scoreless frames Saturday against the Blue Jays.

The word from Mark Bowman of MLB.com heading into camp was that Lopez might have the edge on winning the No. 5 spot in the rotation, and he's done nothing to jeopardize that so far. His competition for the open rotation job hasn't fared as well to begin the spring -- Bryce Elder has permitted five runs on eight hits, a walk and a hit batter through his first 4.1 innings during Grapefruit League play, while AJ Smith-Shawver gave up three runs over two innings in his first start.

Covey reported tightness in his right shoulder Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The news of Covey's injury comes a day after the 32-year-old reliever surrendered two earned runs and three walks without recording an out against the Marlins on Friday. The severity of Covey's injury is unclear, but the Phillies will likely give him at least a few days to recover before putting him back in a game.

Thompson allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter in Saturday's Grapefruit league start versus the Astros.

Thompson and Matthew Liberatore are in the Cardinals' biggest battle for the last starting spot in the rotation. Thompson pitched for 2.2 innings Saturday before giving up back-to-back doubles. With Steven Matz coming along slowly after an injury-plagued 2023, there could be room for both Thompson and Liberatore in the Cardinals' projected early season six-man rotation, but both of them have shown some inconsistency early in the spring.

Chargois has been sidelined for the past week due to neck spasms, but he's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 33-year-old was a solid part of the Marlins' bullpen in 2023, posting a 3.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 42.1 innings in a middle-relief role. Assuming he's healthy by Opening Day, he could see higher-leverage usage this year as one of the top right-handed options behind closer Tanner Scott, though Chargois recorded only four holds in 46 appearances last season.

Mantiply allowed one hit and hit two batters over a scoreless inning in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Mantiply loaded the bases with one out but wriggled out of the jam by inducing a 5-2-3 double play. That he faced adversity and pitched out it is the positive spin on the left-hander's first Cactus League appearance. He's expected to occupy a spot in the bullpen to open the season, but the one-time high-leverage option needs better results to reclaim a trusted role in 2024. Mantiply recorded a 4.62 ERA with a diminished strikeout rate and increased walk rate in 2023.

Herget signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Feb. 22 and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Herget posted a 5.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 24.1 innings with the Reds last season. The Brewers already have a fairly deep big-league bullpen, so Herget will likely begin the new campaign in Triple-A Nashville.

Alzolay did not play in Friday's spring training game against the White Sox due to an illness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay picked up the illness Thursday and was scratched from Friday's game and noted that his schedule will be pushed back by two days. He agreed to a one-year, $2.11 million contract in January after going to arbitration with the Cubs. Alzolay posted a 2-5 record and 22 saves last season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Gibaut (forearm) is progressing but isn't a lock to be ready by Opening Day, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut is working his way back from a pronator strain in his right forearm. While he is feeling better, he has yet to resume a throwing program. If healthy, Gibaut is projected for a middle-relief role in Cincinnati.

Matsui (back) resumed playing catch Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The left-hander was shut down from throwing the past few days due to back inflammation, but he's back to playing catch Friday. Matsui will likely need to stretch out his throwing distance before returning to mound work, so he should be at least a week or two away from being ready for game action.