MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Lopez to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez had been listed as a possible rotation candidate with Taj Bradley (pectoral) out, but he'll head back to Durham for now. The left-hander permitted three runs with a 7:6 K:BB across 6.1 innings of work during Grapefruit League play.

The Rays selected Waguespack's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Waguespack had inked a minor-league contract this offseason following a two-year stint in Japan and has earned a spot on the major-league roster after allowing three runs with a 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. The 30-year-old right-hander is a candidate to make some starts early on in the season while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined.

Warren (elbow) will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It's the next step for Warren as he continues the long road back from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be sidelined until around midseason.

Small will be sidelined for several weeks after being diagnosed with a moderate right oblique strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Small had been in the running to win a spot in the Giants' bullpen, but he'll likely begin the season on the IL instead. The southpaw was acquired via trade from the Brewers last month.

Hjelle (elbow) will begin a throwing program Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hjelle was shut down for a week after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. While the hope is that he will able to avoid surgery on the elbow, it's no sure thing as he attempts to ramp back up.

Bummer gave up a run on two hits while striking out two in an inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, Bummer has been touched for runs in three of his five appearances this spring and has a 7.20 ERA, but he's largely been working later innings with minor-league defenders behind him. A better indication of how his camp has gone might come from his 5:0 K:BB through five innings. The 30-year-old could be the top lefty in the Atlanta bullpen to begin the year if A.J. Minter (finger) and Tyler Matzek (side) aren't ready for Opening Day, but regardless of where Bummer slots in the pecking order for setup duties, there should be plenty of leads to protect for a team that's won over 100 games each of the last two seasons.

Johnson struck out one in a perfect inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The 32-year-old right-hander has looked good this spring, posting a 7:1 K:BB over five innings while allowing just one run. Johnson spent some time closing for the Rockies last season before being acquired by Atlanta, and he excelled in a setup role for the NL East champs, delivering a 0.76 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB through 23.2 innings while picking up one win and eight holds in 24 appearances. He should resume those duties in 2024 as one of the primary bridges to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Antone allowed two unearned runs on one hit and two hit batters over one inning in Thursday's spring game against the Rangers. He struck out one.

Antone was called on to open the game after starter Nick Martinez (rib) was scratched. He nearly got out of a first-inning mess, but a TJ Friedl fielding error allowed the two unearned runs to score. Antone appeared in just five games in 2023 after rehabbing from Tommy John elbow surgery and forearm issues, but he's been healthy thus far in camp and will hold down a bullpen spot if that remains true.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell isn't ready to hand out defined roles for Alzolay or any other member of the bullpen, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Counsell said Thursday that "every bullpen has to evolve" and that the role of his relievers is simply "to get outs." Alzolay certainly seems likely to get first dibs after saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings for the Cubs last season. However, Hector Neris is also a candidate to be in the mix, along with Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter. Counsell has often had go-to closers during his time with the Brewers and one might very well emerge sooner rather than later with the Cubs, but for now there's some uncertainty.

Farmer allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over one inning in Thursday's spring game against Texas.

Farmer cruised through his first five Cactus League outings -- no runs or walks allowed and five strikeouts over five innings -- before the Rangers hung a four-spot on him in the fourth inning, courtesy of a Wyatt Langford grand slam. Farmer is expected to return as an important piece of the bullpen for Cincinnati, working as a bridge to closer Alexis Diaz.