MLB Player News

Fulmer (elbow) struck out a batter over two perfect innings of relief Friday in the Pirates' 7-5 win over the Tigers in Grapefruit League play.

Fulmer was making his first appearance of the spring, after he had been delayed due to his late signing in addition to completing his recovery from a right elbow strain that caused him to close last season on the shelf. Since the right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee, he'll be facing an uphill battle to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but he put a strong foot forward Friday.

The Phillies reassigned Mercado (shoulder) to minor-league camp Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Mercado made three appearances out of the Philadelphia bullpen in 2025, but a right shoulder injury prevented him from making any Grapefruit League appearances and will end his bid for an Opening Day roster spot. The Phillies haven't shed much light regarding where Mercado stands in his throwing program, making it unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the minor-league season.

The Mets reassigned Edwards to minor-league camp Sunday.

Edwards, who made four appearances in the big leagues last season between the Angels and Rangers, had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee. He was impressive with 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings while holding hitters to a .103 batting average, but the Mets didn't have a spot available for him in their Opening Day bullpen.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Curtiss to minor-league camp Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Curtiss appears set to begin the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Reno after he was touched up for three earned runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in Cactus League play. The 32-year-old righty could earn another look in the majors if he can rediscover the form he displayed last season across two stints with Arizona last year, when he collected four holds and accrued a 3.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB in 36.2 innings.

The Diamondbacks optioned Jameson to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

After being limited to 17 total innings between three levels in 2025 while contending with elbow problems, Jameson has been healthy for spring training but didn't pitch well enough to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He'll head to Reno after turning in an 8.44 ERA, 2.44 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB in 5.1 innings over five Cactus League appearances.

Zerpa tossed a scoreless seventh inning for the Venezuelan team in Saturday's WBC game.

Zerpa did not allow a baserunner in the outing and struck out two batters -- one of them being Shohei Ohtani. He has not allowed a run this spring -- either for the Brewers or Team Venezuela -- and figures to fill a key role in Milwaukee's bullpen when the regular season gets underway.

The Reds reassigned Antone to minor-league camp Sunday.

Antone owns a 2.47 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 76.2 innings in parts of four seasons in the majors with Cincinnati, but he spent the entire 2025 campaign in the minors after completing his recovery from the third elbow surgery of his career, and the 32-year-old right-hander struggled at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. While his numbers in the Cactus League this spring (7.94 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB in 5.2 innings) weren't anything special, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati notes that Antone's velocity was up from 2025. He'll still need to translate those velocity gains into better results at Triple-A before earning another look in the majors.

Fairbanks struck out one in a perfect inning Saturday during a split-squad game against the Cardinals.

The right-hander has yet to allow a run over four innings this spring with a 6:1 K:BB. Signed to a one-year, $13 million contract in December, Fairbanks is set to be the Marlins' unquestioned closer this season after averaging 25 saves over the last three years for the Rays with a 2.98 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 151 innings.

The Marlins reassigned Brzykcy to minor-league camp Sunday.

A non-roster invitee for spring training after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in the offseason and later outrighted him, Brzykcy made a strong impression in the Grapefruit League, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing four hits and no walks. The right-hander has been less than stellar over parts of two seasons in the majors with Washington, however, with elevated home-run and walk rates. If he can carry over his performance from the spring and find success early on at Triple-A, Brzykcy may not have to wait long for a promotion to Miami.

Diaz walked one batter and struck out two over a scoreless inning for Team Puerto Rico in an elimination loss to Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

Though Diaz and Puerto Rico won't advance, the tournament went well for the All-Star closer, as he pitched three scoreless frames and posted a 7:1 K:BB. Of course, the last time Diaz pitched in the WBC (in 2023), he tore his right patellar tendon and missed the subsequent MLB campaign, so the Dodgers have to be pleased that their offseason acquisition is returning to the club in good health. Diaz should see plenty of save chances this season for a team that is once again expected to be among the best in baseball.