MLB Player News

Hudson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hudson had allowed six earned runs on 17 hits and four walks through 8.2 innings this spring in Grapefruit League play, which works out to a 6.23 ERA and 2.42 WHIP. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 3.14 ERA across his first 249.2 major-league innings between 2018-2021, but the underlying metrics have always been poor and his stock continues to drastically tumble. He'll presumably work out of the rotation with Memphis.

Rodriguez (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

It was the right-hander's first time facing hitters since August of 2021, as he wound up having right shoulder surgery that November and has faced a long rehab process. Rodriguez was one of the Angels' better young arms prior to the operation, but it remains to be seen how the 24-year-old's stuff will bounce back. He'll begin the season on the injured list and it's unclear when he might be game-ready.

Bass has posted a 7:1 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The veteran right-hander split 2022 between the Marlins and Blue Jays and had a sub-2.00 ERA at each stop, wrapping up his campaign with a 1.54 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and career highs in wins (four) and holds (23). Bass figured to be one of the primary high-leverage options in the Toronto bullpen this season, and his spring performance suggests he's ready for Opening Day.

Cimber tossed a scoreless seventh inning in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The groundball specialist hasn't seen much game action this spring, working 3.1 innings over four appearances, but Cimber looked ready for Opening Day on Monday and needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to retire the side. After recording career highs with four saves, 10 wins and 20 holds in 2022, the 32-year-old right-hander will serve in a high-leverage role once again with Toronto, but his lack of strikeouts limits his fantasy ceiling in some formats.

Pop has minor-league options remaining and is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Buffalo, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander is a big-league quality arm and posted a 2.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 39 innings last season between the Marlins and Blue Jays, but he'll be a victim of the numbers game coming out of camp. Look for Pop to be one of the first pitchers promoted when injuries or heavy usage necessitate reinforcements for the Toronto bullpen.

Yates walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The veteran reliever has thrown only 11.1 big-league innings over the last three seasons due to various injuries, including Tommy John surgery two years ago, but he's been healthy in camp as he attempts to make a comeback. Yates has served up two homers in six innings, leading to a 9.00 spring ERA, but his 8:2 K:BB indicates he's still got the ability to miss bats. The 35-year-old is ticketed for middle-relief duty in a crowded Atlanta bullpen that already has A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez locked into setup roles in front of closer Raisel Iglesias, but Yates could still have some fantasy value in deeper formats if he's able to recapture something close to his pre-injury form.

Waites (lat) is scheduled to make his spring debut Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Waites suffered a right lat strain just before the start of spring training, but he's made steady progress over the last several weeks and should be an option for the Giants' bullpen sometime in mid-to-late April. He's already been ruled out for an Opening Day roster spot, but that's only to allow more time for a proper build-up.

Minter gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Not that it means much, but Minter did pick up the save. The southpaw will be one of Raisel Iglesias' primary setup men this season and one of the top high-leverage options in the Atlanta bullpen, and in that role in 2022, Minter piled up a league-leading 35 holds with five wins and five saves in addition to his stellar 2.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 34.7 percent strikeout rate.

Ferrer was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Tuesday, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports.

Ferrer had put together a strong spring and was said to be making a push for the Opening Day roster, but the Nats will give him a little more development time in the minors. The 23-year-old registered an encouraging 2.48 ERA and 78:11 K:BB in 65.1 innings last season between Low-A, High-A and Double-A ball.

The Astros optioned Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The southpaw pitched well this spring, allowing just one run with a 6:1 K:BB over six innings, but he nonetheless finds himself on the outside looking in for a roster spot. With Gage headed to the minors, that means the Astros will open the regular season with no left-handers in their bullpen.