MLB Player News

Hill (lat) was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Tigers on Friday.

Hill has been dealing with a lat strain since mid-February, which has interrupted his spring training routine. The righty will now look to get healthy in the minors before potentially returning to Detroit as a bullpen option at some point. Hill made 26 appearances for the Tigers over the last two seasons, including eight starts, and has a career 5.09 ERA.

Martinez threw four perfect innings and struck out six before rain forced the cancellation of Friday's spring start against the Dodgers.

Martinez faced the best the Dodgers had, including Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in what was easily his most impressive Cactus League outing. He struck out Freeman twice. The right-hander entered the game having allowed one unearned run while striking out seven over five spring innings. At the start of camp, it was unclear of which role Martinez would fill -- he has experience both a starter and multi-inning reliever -- but it looks like there's a place for him in Cincinnati's rotation.

Hall started Friday's Cactus League contest and gave up two earned runs over two innings while allowing five hits and posting a 3:1 K:BB.

Hall was not as sharp as he was in his two-inning spring debut Sunday in which he did not allow a hit, but he did minimize the damage to some degree. The Brewers have not yet decided which pitchers will break camp in the rotation, but with Hall going two innings in both appearances to date and throwing 42 pitches Friday, it appears he is getting the opportunity to claim one of the open starting spots.

The Royals optioned Klein to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Klein was added to the Royals' 40-man roster in November after posting a 5.66 ERA and 1.85 WHIP across 35 innings in Triple-A last season. He struck out six batters over 3.2 scoreless frames during spring training, but he will need to prove he can find consistent success in the minors before getting the call to join Kansas City's bullpen.

Cruz was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Friday.

Over his three appearances in spring training, Cruz has allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks over three innings while striking out four. He'll start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way back into the majors later in the year.

Padres manager Mike Shildt told 97.3 The Fan this week that "there is a possibility" Matsui (back) will be ready for San Diego's opening regular-season series in South Korea.

Matsui hurt his back near the end of February, and a subsequent MRI revealed inflammation. The Japanese reliever was able to work up to throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, and he felt well enough to toss 30 pitches after initially being scheduled for 20, though he didn't throw at full effort, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Matsui said after the session that he wasn't sure if he'd be ready to pitch in San Diego's opening regular-season game March 20, stating, "I need to go out there and throw 100 percent. I just want to see how I feel tomorrow and how the body responds." Shildt offered a similar sentiment the following day and said the team would subsequently be assessing Matsui's next step. While the manager expressed some optimism about the southpaw's potential to be ready to pitch in the Seoul Series, he was also clear that the issue is still hazy, explaining, "It's too early to say...with any weight to it."

Hartwig was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hartwig tossed three scoreless innings this spring but nonetheless finds himself on the outside looking in for a roster spot. The 26-year-old reliever held a 4.84 ERA in 28 appearances out of the Mets' bullpen in 2023.

Hjelle received a second opinion on his right elbow Friday and will be shut down from throwing for one week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 26-year-old was expected to be shut down for at least a couple weeks after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain earlier this week, so the second opinion appears to have brought encouraging news. Hjelle still figures to begin the season on the injured list, but the shorter shutdown should allow for a quicker return.

Johnson was optioned to minor-league camp by the Orioles on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Johnson missed most of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he ended the year healthy and made one scoreless appearance this spring before getting cut. The 25-year-old needs to make up for lost time in the minors but could push to debut at some point in 2024.

Mejia was optioned to Double-A Hartford by the Rockies on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Mejia was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and permitted two runs in three appearances this spring. His control needs work, but Mejia misses bats and will turn 24 this season, so he could push for his big-league debut sometime in 2024.