MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Thompson was one of five players cut Sunday as the Cubs reduced their group at big-league camp to 42 men with Opening Day about a week and a half away. The right-hander had a decent showing in spring training, but his underwhelming results over a larger sample of work in the big leagues in 2023 (4.71 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 26:19 K:BB in 28.2 innings) likely played a greater part in the Cubs' decision to send him to Triple-A to begin the 2024 campaign.

Robertson is poised to begin the season in a setup role after Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday there is a "strong possibility" Jose Leclerc will open as the closer, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Robertson was never likely to fully usurp Leclerc from the job during spring training, but there seemed to be a chance Bochy might utilize a committee approach. Robertson will instead begin the campaign in a setup role, which significantly dampens his fantasy outlook. The 38-year-old is still likely to be the next man up and should see occasional save chances even if Leclerc is pitching well.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy indicated Sunday that Leclerc has a "strong possibility" of beginning the season as the club's primary closer, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy said at the start of spring training that "there is no pecking order" for the Texas bullpen, but Leclerc apparently showed enough in camp despite giving up two earned runs over 2.1 frames in his three Cactus League appearances. The 30-year-old posted a 2.68 ERA in 57 appearances last season and tallied just four saves, but he also pitched well in the playoffs while saving another four contests. David Robertson signed with the Rangers in January and could quickly enter the mix for saves should Leclerc struggle early in 2024.

Criswell allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Orioles.

Criswell made his third spring start and faced a Baltimore lineup that featured six projected starters. He allowed a pair of first-inning runs then settled in, retiring the final eight batters faced. Criswell primarily throws a sinker, slider (Statcast identifies it as a sweeper) and cutter. "The slider has some outlier movement," Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey told Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. "He has a long history of strike-throwing and induces a lot of weak contact." The soft-tossing right-hander, who is in the mix for a rotation spot, has a 3.77 ERA over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings.

Martin (groin) completed a live batting practice session Saturday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martin's attempt at a live BP session a week ago ended after two pitches due to groin tightness. The righty setup reliever completed this session and is ready for the next step Tuesday, which will either be another batting practice session or his Grapefruit League debut. Martin estimates he'll need four appearances to be ready for the regular season.

Wesneski may be squeezed off the Cubs' Opening Day roster due to Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both being likely to secure roles, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Wicks is the current favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, while Assad will likely shift to a long-relief role. That could push Wesneski off the roster entirely, as it may be more beneficial for his development if he's starting regularly at Triple-A Iowa. The righty could have some fantasy upside if he pushes into Chicago's rotation at some point, though for now, his appeal is limited.

Martinez (ribs) threw three innings at the Reds' complex Saturday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Martinez's rib injury scratched him from a start Thursday, and the Reds opted for a more controlled environment for his subsequent throwing session. It's unclear if the session was a simulated game, as reported by Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, or live batting practice, as reported by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Whatever it was, Rosecrans reports Martinez felt great afterward, and the hiccup should not delay the start of the season for the right-hander.

Assad is likely to secure an Opening Day bullpen role in Chicago, with Jordan Wicks serving as the No. 5 starter, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Assad, Wicks and Hayden Wesneski have been competing for the last rotation spot in camp, but the lefty Wicks seems likely to emerge there. That could push Wesneski down to the minors and send Assad into a long-relief role. The righty excelled in a similar role last year, posting a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings, though Assad would have more fantasy value if he's able to start regularly at some point in 2024.

Almonte will likely make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen due to being out of options, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Almonte would have to clear waivers if he's sent down, and the Cubs seem unwilling to risk losing the righty. Almonte struggled some last season, recording a 5.06 ERA across 48 innings with the Dodgers, but he also struck out 49 batters. Armed with a fastball that sits around 96 mph, Almonte has the potential to be a bullpen weapon for the Cubs if he cuts down on the walks. The 29-year-old posted a 4.5 BB/9 in 2023, which contributed to his overall struggles.

Wingenter (leg) is listed as an available reliever for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wingenter was removed from his most recent spring appearance Friday against Atlanta after being struck on the leg by a comebacker, but his inclusion on the lineup card two days later implies that he avoided any sort of major injury. The veteran right-hander enters Sunday's contest carrying a 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and .125 batting average against through 5.1 innings in Grapefruit League play.