MLB Player News

Martin struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning Monday as the Rangers topped the Royals in exhibition play.

After Robert Garcia pitched the seventh inning, Martin handled the eighth and Luke Jackson closed things out in the ninth. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said it was "pretty close" to how he plans to use his late-inning mix this season, although he added that the roles are not yet completely defined, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. Martin has been viewed as the top candidate to close for the Rangers, but Bochy might be considering him in more of a setup role. It's a situation that still lacks clarity as we close in on Opening Day.

Fitts allowed an unearned run on three hits while striking out five over six innings in Monday's exhibition game in Mexico.

Fitts got one final spring appearance ahead of what is expected to be a spot in Boston's rotation to start the regular season. Injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) created openings, and Fitts appears to have locked down the fourth spot in the rotation. Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell are the finalists to open the season in the No. 5 spot. Fitts compiled a 2.45 ERA and 14:6 K:BB while allowing 13 hits over 14.2 spring innings. If all goes as planned for Bello and Giolito, Fitts' stay in the rotation will last between two and three starts.

Jackson struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning to notch a save in Monday's exhibition game versus the Royals.

It was Robert Garcia in the seventh inning and Chris Martin in the eighth inning before Rangers manager Bruce Bochy handed things off to Jackson, who closed out a three-run victory. After the contest, Bochy noted that how he lined up the bullpen is "pretty close" to how he plans to deploy them in the regular season, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. The skipper added that the roles are not yet completely defined, so there's still some murkiness with this situation. Martin and Garcia had been viewed as the top two candidates to close for the Rangers, but Jackson now appears to be firmly in the mix and perhaps the favorite for saves.

Newcomb will throw five innings in a minor-league game Tuesday at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

While the Red Sox traveled to Mexico for a pair of exhibition games against teams from that country, Newcomb remained behind in Florida to make a final tune-up before a potential gig in Boston's rotation. His chances of landing a spot improved greatly over the weekend when the Red Sox assigned Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester. Cooper Criswell, who pitched two innings Sunday, is also still around. Whichever starter wins the final spot isn't expected to be part of the rotation for long, as both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are due back at some point in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora did not say Newcomb is a lock for the roster, but the the lefty put himself in position with a strong spring. In 14.1 innings over five appearances, the 31-year-old Massachusetts native posted a 0.63 ERA (one earned run) with nine hits allowed and a 13:3 K:BB.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said after Monday's 6-4 exhibition win over the Tigers that Bivens has clinched a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bivens will presumably work in long relief or middle relief, though he earned one save at the end of the 2024 season when closer Ryan Walker wasn't available due to workload. The 30-year-old's big-league career is off to a promising start after he posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 37:11 K:BB over 48.2 frames last season.

McArthur (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

McArthur is still on the mend from offseason surgery on his right elbow, so this move isn't an indication of his progress after it was reported a few days earlier that he'd begin the year on the IL. The team has yet to reveal a timetable for the right-hander's return.

Marsh (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

It was reported a few days prior that Marsh would begin the season on the injured list, so this transaction is simply procedural. The Royals have yet to announced a timetable for his return after he picked up a right shoulder injury Wednesday while pitching in a minor-league game.

Marinaccio was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Marinaccio was picked up by the Padres in a January trade, but he didn't show enough in camp to earn a spot on the big-league roster. He posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 25:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings last season with the Yankees and will serve as organizational bullpen depth.

Vasquez will begin the 2025 season in the Padres' starting rotation, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Vasquez has been competing for a spot near the back end of San Diego's starting rotation throughout spring training, and the team named Vasquez and Kyle Hart the fourth and fifth starters Monday, resulting in the demotion of Stephen Kolek to Triple-A El Paso. Vasquez performed well during camp, posting a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts and one walk over three appearances.

Kolek was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Kolek has been competing for one of the two remaining rotation spots throughout spring training and managed to escape with a decent outing during Monday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks over five innings, but it'll be Randy Vasquez and Kyle Hart who round out San Diego's starting rotation to begin the 2025 regular season. However, Kolek will presumably be a candidate for a promotion if either Vasquez or Hart were to struggle to open the campaign.