MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Fujinami to minor-league camp Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami joined the Mets on a one-year, $3.35 million deal back on Feb. 2 after spending 2023 with the Athletics and Orioles. He struggled in spring training, allowing five earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings. Fujinami will likely start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way into the Mets' bullpen.

The Mets designated Bickford for assignment Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Bickford will lose his spot on the Mets' 40-man roster in order to make space for J.D. Martinez, who officially signed with the team Saturday. Bickford gave up three earned runs over 4.2 innings during spring training and turned in a 4.95 ERA through 67.1 frames last season. He could receive attention on the waiver wire, but the 28-year-old reliever would almost certainly be limited to low-leverage work no matter where he ends up.

The Cardinals optioned Robertson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Robertson has posted a 4.50 ERA across eight innings this spring, but the Cardinals will need to see a larger sample from him before adding him to their bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander logged a 6.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 22.1 frames last season between the Red Sox and Dodgers.

Antone has claimed one of the final spots in the Reds' Opening Day bullpen, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After spending more than two full seasons on the injured list, Antone questioned whether he would ever pitch in a big-league game again. His return from a second Tommy John surgery last year was cut short due to renewed elbow discomfort, but he has earned a roster spot this spring and will be on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 2021. Antone said that he has stopped chasing velocity and embraced a new sinker in light of his injuries. Expect the right-hander to pitch mostly in the middle innings to begin the 2024 campaign.

Greene will not be on the Rangers' roster to begin the season, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Greene missed several days of Cactus League action due to a broken fingernail, but he still managed to pitch 5.1 spring innings, surrendering two earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB. Greene will presumably exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, but the 35-year-old likely won't receive more than a minor-league deal elsewhere.

The Rangers informed Shreve on Friday that he will not make Texas' roster out of spring training, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Shreve will likely exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and look to latch on with another organization in free agency. The 33-year-old southpaw turned in a 4.63 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 44.2 innings between the Reds and Tigers last season.

The Nationals released Perdomo on Thursday.

Washington elected to part ways with Perdomo four days after reassigning him to minor-league camp when his bid for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen fell short. After spending the 2023 season in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines, Perdomo could look to explore another opportunity overseas now that he's a free agent. Before his stint in Japan, the 30-year-old right-hander had previously seen big-league action with the Padres and Brewers from 2016 through 2022, logging a 23-31 record and 5.12 ERA over 468 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned Danner to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Danner reached the big leagues for the first time last August, but the right-hander suffered a left oblique strain in his Blue Jays debut and was subsequently shut down for the season. He was fully healthy upon reporting to spring training, but the team likely wants to see the 25-year-old stack together some quality innings at the Triple-A level before making him a more permanent fixture in the big-league bullpen.

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Hernandez had a solid spring, surrendering one run over six innings while striking out nine batters and walking six, but he will ultimately miss out on the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. Hernandez only has 5.1 innings of Triple-A experience, so sending him back to the minors to continue developing could be beneficial after his unimpressive rookie campaign in 2023.

Junis didn't pitch as scheduled Friday due to a shoulder injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said the team doesn't believe Junis' injury to be serious, but the Brewers will likely play it safe with the right-hander. Junis has posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 10.2 innings this spring, but his chances at making Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation increased significantly after the Brewers optioned Aaron Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.