MLB Player News

Hoffman struck out the side against the Tigers on Friday and now has a 10:2 K:BB in 7.2 scoreless innings this spring.

After struggling as a swingman with the Rockies and Reds for most of his career, Hoffman suddenly emerged as a shutdown reliever for the Phillies last season. He finished the year with a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 52.1 innings. If his spring numbers are any indication, he's on track for a similar performance this season. That could earn him a handful of saves if the Phillies go with a closer committee, which manager Rob Thomson has favored in the past.

The Red Sox optioned Kelly (oblique) to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kelly won't make the cut for Boston's bullpen after missing most of March due to a left oblique injury. The right-hander failed to pitch as scheduled in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, but he should be healthy to begin the minor-league season and could quickly rejoin the Red Sox if he starts the year hot.

Swanson (forearm) played catch again Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander has played catch two days in a row after a brief shutdown period with forearm tightness. The Blue Jays' intention is wait until the end of camp before deciding whether Swanson will be part of the Opening Day roster or need a stay on the injured list.

Romano (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation earlier this week and was prescribed a few days of rest after being given an anti-inflammatory injection. He'll try to do some throwing Saturday as he attempts to ramp back up in time for Opening Day. The Blue Jays plan to wait until the very end of camp before making an injured list decision on their closer.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Friday that Thompson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Veteran Sonny Gray (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, opening the door for Thompson to earn a rotation spot. The southpaw pitched well during spring training with a 2.81 ERA and 14:6 K:BB across 16 innings, but Thompson will likely only get a few starts to stake his claim to a more permanent rotation spot since Gray isn't expected to have a lengthy absence.

The Angels optioned Joyce to Double-A Rocket City on Friday.

The hard-throwing reliever held an 8.59 ERA and 6:9 K:BB over 7.1 innings this spring. Joyce could still be a key cog in the Angels' bullpen at some point this season, but he'll work on tightening things up in the minors first.

The Angels optioned Wantz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

The Angels stretched Wantz out this spring but he didn't pitch well, allowing seven runs on 14 hits and four walks over 10 innings. He seems likely to return to a relief role at Salt Lake.

The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Criswell put his best foot forward in competing for a rotation spot this spring, collecting a 2.95 ERA and 17:3 K:BB across 18.1 innings of work. However, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock also pitched well and they were ultimately given the fourth and fifth slots. Criswell will stay stretched out in Worcester's rotation.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Moll (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll made his spring debut Monday after being sidelined by shoulder soreness, but he won't be ready to start the season. The left-hander will continue ramping up his workload before joining the active roster.

The Reds reassigned Santillan to minor-league camp Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan yielded just one hit with a 10:0 K:BB over five scoreless innings this spring but still wasn't able to make the team. It would not be a surprise if he decided to opt out of his contract and look for another gig elsewhere.