MLB Player News

Ragans has allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings across two Cactus League starts.

Ragans' focus early in the spring slate has been to make in-game adjustments when he struggles, though that has been rare so far. "I felt like last year there were a few outings I struggled with it," Ragans said. "So it's been great. I felt like today, I did a really good job of it. It was more so finding the right thought process, I guess you could say, of what I tell myself to get back to the right mechanics. I felt like I took a big step last year making the adjustment, so kind of building off it this spring." Ragans is also working on his command with his slider. The 26-year-old southpaw is entering his second full season, but he looks to have all the tools to become the Royals' ace in 2024.

Chargois has been sidelined for the past week due to neck spasms, but he's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 33-year-old was a solid part of the Marlins' bullpen in 2023, posting a 3.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 42.1 innings in a middle-relief role. Assuming he's healthy by Opening Day, he could see higher-leverage usage this year as one of the top right-handed options behind closer Tanner Scott, though Chargois recorded only four holds in 46 appearances last season.

Francis could be the favorite to step into the fifth starter role for the Blue Jays if Alek Manoah (shoulder) isn't ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Manoah was viewed as the likely No. 5 starter despite his 2023 struggles, but a poor start to the spring and a bout of shoulder soreness could force the Jays to re-evaluate. Francis posted strong numbers over 20 relief appearances last season and was mainly a starting pitcher in the minors, but it's not yet clear if his stuff will hold up over longer outings against big-league hitters. Should Francis also falter in camp, it could open the door for Mitch White or even top prospect Ricky Tiedemann (hamstring) to begin the campaign in the rotation.

Leclerc allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over a third of an inning in Thursday's spring game against Milwaukee.

Leclerc, who made his Cactus League debut, was tagged with a blown save, though that means little in the context of a spring game. Coming off a strong postseason, he is considered one of the options to close games this season. Manager Bruce Bochy has not yet identified any one reliever as his closer, nor has the manager established a pecking order, as multiple arms are being considered for endgame work.

Mantiply allowed one hit and hit two batters over a scoreless inning in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Mantiply loaded the bases with one out but wriggled out of the jam by inducing a 5-2-3 double play. That he faced adversity and pitched out it is the positive spin on the left-hander's first Cactus League appearance. He's expected to occupy a spot in the bullpen to open the season, but the one-time high-leverage option needs better results to reclaim a trusted role in 2024. Mantiply recorded a 4.62 ERA with a diminished strikeout rate and increased walk rate in 2023.

Pepiot allowed three hits and walked one while striking out three across two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Pepiot allowed three hitters to reach base in the first inning and stranded the bases loaded by striking out Davis Schneider. He pitched a much cleaner second frame to end his spring debut on a high note. Pepiot should fill an Opening Day rotation spot and will look to turn in a full season of work after an injury-plagued 2023 campaign with the Dodgers.

Herget signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Feb. 22 and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Herget posted a 5.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 24.1 innings with the Reds last season. The Brewers already have a fairly deep big-league bullpen, so Herget will likely begin the new campaign in Triple-A Nashville.

Alzolay did not play in Friday's spring training game against the White Sox due to an illness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay picked up the illness Thursday and was scratched from Friday's game and noted that his schedule will be pushed back by two days. He agreed to a one-year, $2.11 million contract in January after going to arbitration with the Cubs. Alzolay posted a 2-5 record and 22 saves last season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings.

Weiss is currently sidelined with a tres major strain in his right shoulder, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

He's not expected to resume playing catch for another week, according to the report. It sounds likely that Weiss will begin the season on the injured list or need more time in extended spring training before he's ready for the season. Weiss was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in February and was expected to compete for a middle-relief role.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Gibaut (forearm) is progressing but isn't a lock to be ready by Opening Day, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut is working his way back from a pronator strain in his right forearm. While he is feeling better, he has yet to resume a throwing program. If healthy, Gibaut is projected for a middle-relief role in Cincinnati.