MLB Player News

Lee gave up two runs on two hits over two innings of relief in Sunday's split-squad game against the Orioles. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The southpaw got taken deep by minor leaguer John Rhodes in the sixth inning for a two-run shot, but Lee was otherwise dominant Sunday. He has a stellar 13:0 K:BB through eight innings this spring, but keeping the ball in the park has been a problem as he's served up five homers. He's expected to break camp in a lower-leverage role for Atlanta as the fourth lefty in the bullpen behind A.J. Minter (finger), Aaron Bummer and Tyler Matzek, but if he keeps getting hit hard, the organization has plenty of pitching depth and Lee has minor-league options remaining.

Brebbia (calf) is scheduled to make a relief appearance Monday in a game at minor-league camp, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Brebbia still has yet to make his Cactus League debut, but he'll still be able to build up at minor-league camp Monday as he looks to secure his spot in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen. Assuming Brebbia's right calf presents no further complications in Monday's outing or his subsequent spring appearances, he could find himself in a prominent role in the bullpen to begin the campaign. The White Sox have yet to anoint a closer since trading away Gregory Santos to the Mariners in February, and Brebbia represents one of the more battle-tested options in an otherwise green bullpen. In addition to Brebbia, hard-throwing 23-year-old Prelander Berroa (shoulder) and converted starting pitcher Michael Kopech are candidates to factor into the equation for saves.

The Marlins reassigned Smeltzer on Monday.

Unless he negotiates a release from his minor-league deal with Miami, Smeltzer is likely to open the season as a swingman for the pitching staff at Triple-A Jacksonville. Smeltzer is heading into his second season with the Miami organization after he compiled a 6.45 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings at the big-league level in 2023.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Holderman hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since last Tuesday while he recovers from a virus, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

A bug seems to be making its way around the Pirates' spring facility in Bradenton, Fla., as Shelton also noted that infielder Liover Peguero hasn't been available since last Wednesday due to an illness. Assuming Holderman is able to make a full recovery by the end of the week, he should still be in good shape to travel north with the Pirates for the start of the regular season.

Kelly (oblique) will return to Grapefruit League play Friday with an appearance versus the Blue Jays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Kelly has missed most of this month with a left oblique injury but is nearly ready to step back on a mound in a game setting. The reliever is expected to be ready for Opening Day and is competing for a spot in Boston's bullpen.

Jansen won't make his scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday against the Twins due to lower-back tightness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox aren't concerned and think Jansen could be ready to pitch as soon as Tuesday, so his absence shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day. Jansen had previously been limited by a lat issue and has made just one appearance this spring. It's not an ideal way to prep for the season, but as a one-inning reliever, the 36-year-old closer shouldn't need as much ramp-up time as other pitchers.

Murphy is experiencing soreness in his left elbow and will undergo an MRI on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Murphy is competing for a spot in Boston's bullpen, but the injury looks as though it could threaten his availability for Opening Day. The southpaw posted a 4.91 ERA and 49:17 K:BB over 47.2 relief innings with Boston last season.

Jacques was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Jacques was knocked around this spring, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks over four innings. He will give the Red Sox some left-handed relief depth at Worcester.

Lopez will open the season as Atlanta's fifth starter after the team optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez had appeared to be the frontrunner for the final rotation spot throughout the spring, but Atlanta didn't make it official until Elder was removed from the competition Monday. In his transition from the bullpen to a starting role this spring, Lopez was impressive over his 16.2 innings, allowing four runs with a 13:6 K:BB. History suggests that Lopez's best role is as a reliever, and the expectation is that he could see usage in both the rotation and the bullpen this season. He'll at least make for a viable deep-league fantasy target while he's starting and has the backing of an elite Atlanta offense.

Santos, who suffered a mild lat strain Monday, is still "waiting to get things calmed down" before officially beginning a rehab routine, MLB.com reports.

The update comes directly from manager Scott Servais, who's counting on Santos to play a key seventh- and eighth-inning role this season. Santos has already been ruled out for Opening Day, however, and it's likely extra caution is taken with the restart date of his baseball activities considering he's also already dealt with a shoulder problem this spring.