MLB Player News
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Zach Maxwell RP | CIN
Reds' Zach Maxwell: Optioned to Triple-A
The Reds optioned Maxwell to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
Maxwell struggled to limit traffic on the basepaths during spring training, posting a 5.40 ERA and 2.04 WHIP over 8.1 innings, though he managed to collect 13 strikeouts in that span. If the 25-year-old can right the ship at Louisville, the Reds may consider recalling him to join the big-league bullpen as a depth piece.
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Jason Adam RP | SD
Padres' Jason Adam: Makes spring debut
Adam (quadriceps) pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout against Colorado in a Cactus League appearance Friday.
Adam entered in the sixth inning and retired the Rockies in order on 12 pitches. It was the first time the righty reliever has appeared in a game this spring, as he's still working to get fully ramped up following the surgery he underwent early last September to repair a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, Adam will aim to make another exhibition appearance Monday, and if that goes well, there's still a chance he could make the Padres' Opening Day roster.
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Sean Manaea RP | NYM
Mets' Sean Manaea: Headed for bullpen
Manaea will not begin the season in the Mets' starting rotation, although manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Saturday that the veteran southpaw would be used in a piggyback role, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Mendoza didn't specify which starter would get an abbreviated workload to accommodate Manaea, however. Manaea's velocity has been down this spring, and getting used in a long-relief role could buy him more time to round into form. His actual Grapefruit League results have been solid as he has a 3.72 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will open the season in the rotation.
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Trevor Richards RP | CHW
Phillies' Trevor Richards: Moved to minor-league camp
The Phillies reassigned Richards to minor-league camp Saturday.
Richards inked a minor-league contract with the Phillies in December but wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster after posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across eight innings in eight Grapefruit League games. He'll likely open the season in Triple-A but would be a candidate for a major-league call-up if the Phillies need an extra arm out of the bullpen.
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Yuki Matsui RP | SD
Padres' Yuki Matsui: Opening season on IL
Manager Craig Stammen said Friday that Matsui (groin) will begin the season on the injured list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Matsui hasn't appeared in a game this spring after suffering a groin injury during a live BP session in February. He resumed throwing off a mound in early March, and Stammen added that the 30-year-old southpaw is slated to resume facing live hitters within the next several days. Assuming his rehab continues to progress smoothly, he may not need to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the IL.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | NYM
Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Still chasing roster spot
Kimbel did not exercise the first opt out in his minor-league contract with the Mets as he continues to pursue a spot on the Opening Day roster, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.
New York's bullpen competition got a little bit narrower Friday with the club cutting Austin Warren, Kevin Herget and Robert Stock from big-league camp. Kimbrel has given up three runs with a 5:5 K:BB across six innings during spring training, but manager Carlos Mendoza has been impressed with the late life on Kimbrel's fastball. Bryan Hudson and Richard Lovelady are the remaining internal competition for a bullpen spot, but the Mets could bring in some outside arms as teams begin to trim the rosters for Opening Day.
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Ethan Roberts RP | CHC
Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Sent to Triple-A
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Roberts will start the 2026 season at Triple-A despite having a strong camp. The right-hander posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across six innings this spring. He appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025.
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Janson Junk SP | MIA
Marlins' Janson Junk: Named fifth starter
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Junk will be the team's fifth starter, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Junk has officially won the fifth starting spot, beating out Braxton Garrett, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. Junk, now 30 years old, had his first prolonged big-league stint last season, starting in 16 of his 21 appearances with Miami and posting a 4.17 ERA across 110 innings. His first regular-season start is scheduled to come against the White Sox.