MLB Player News

Manaea gave up three runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out three without walking a batter and threw a wild pitch.

The veteran lefty got in plenty of work in his first game action of the spring, tossing 41 of 56 pitches for strikes, but the results were something of a mixed bag. Manaea did at least keep the ball in the park, although Jazz Chisholm, Avisail Garcia and Jon Berti all laced doubles off him. Manaea is locked into a rotation spot for the Mets this season after making only 10 starts for the Giants in 2023 among his 37 appearances, but New York is counting on him to show the form he flashed in the second half for San Francisco -- over his final 51.2 innings last year, he posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB.

Brieske has adjusted the grip on his slider over the offseason to give the pitch more spin, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Brieske said his previous slider acted more like a cutter at times, but he's adjusted his grip to hold the ball deeper in his hand and develop more spin. In his first spring appearance, the average spin rate of the pitch sat at 2,399 rpm, up 200 revolutions from last season, while the slider's speed was down a few ticks. He followed that performance with two more scoreless innings Saturday. Brieske had some success in a bullpen role last year, posting a 3.60 ERA across 35 innings, and he could take a step forward if his new slider is effective.

Beck (arm) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is scheduled to undergo vascular surgery Monday to address the aneurysm in his upper right arm, and he'll be sidelined for at least the first two months of the regular season. Beck remains without an official timeline for his return, but more information is expected to be available following his procedure.

Francis struck out three and walked one over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Entering the game to begin the fifth inning, Francis faced his toughest challenge in the sixth but breezed through the top of the Atlanta order, striking out Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia before getting Travis d'Arnaud to fly out. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 30 of 42 pitches for strikes before exiting, and with Alek Manoah (shoulder) looking questionable for Opening Day, Francis may have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Imanaga allowed three runs on three hits across 2.1 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He struck out five.

Outside of allowing a three-run home run, Imanaga looked pretty good in his first start of the spring with his new team, striking out half of the batters he faced. The lefty is expected to slot into a top-of-the-rotation role with the Cubs after coming over from Nippon Professional Baseball in the offseason. Imanaga may have some ups and downs as he adjusts to MLB hitting for the first time, but the talent is there for him to make a strong fantasy impact.

Laweryson (biceps) made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday in the Twins' 3-3 tie with the Phillies, striking out three over one inning while allowing two earned runs on one hit.

Laweryson served up a two-run home run that put the Twins in a 3-0 hole in the top of the seventh, but Minnesota rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to salvage a tie. A 25-year-old right-hander who has yet to reach the majors, Laweryson isn't a serious threat to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but he at least appears to be healthy entering the 2024 season after he didn't pitch after Aug. 15 of last season due to right biceps tendinitis.

Rios (shoulder) is listed as one of the Mets' available relievers for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rios' 2023 season came to an end last July after he required surgery to address an axillary branch aneurysm in his right shoulder, but he seems to have received a clean bill of health for spring training. He's made two appearances in the spring thus far, tossing two scoreless frames.

The Mets reassigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Young, who posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 8.1 innings out of Atlanta's bullpen in 2023, will miss out on a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen. The lefty reliever is expected to head to Triple-A Syracuse to begin his tenure with the Mets.

The Mets optioned Ingram to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Ingram was one of 10 Mets players dispatched to minor-league camp in the first round of spring training cuts. The 27-year-old lefty reliever was claimed off waivers from the Tigers in February and retains a spot on the 40-man roster, so he could be a candidate to join the Mets' bullpen at some point in 2024.

Stephens (elbow) retired two batters via strikeout and gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk Saturday in Atlanta's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League play.

Making his spring debut, Stephens threw 21 pitches to four hitters. The 29-year-old right-hander finished the 2023 campaign on Atlanta's injured list due to right elbow inflammation, but he's faced no apparent limitations thus far in camp. After re-signing with Atlanta on a split contract over the winter, Stephens may need an impressive showing in the spring to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.