MLB Player News

Taylor (elbow) is throwing in camp but has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor was bothered by an elbow injury in 2022, which limited him to 16 innings in Houston. He struggled mightily with his command by walking 10 batters, which resulted in an ugly 1.56 WHIP. It's unclear when Taylor may be able to return to the mound, though his absence opens the door for Matt Gage to make the Opening Day roster.

Gage will likely start the regular season as a member of the Astros' bullpen, Matt Young of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Gage was picked up by the Astros in mid-February, and he'll benefit from the absences of Parker Mushinski (back) and Blake Taylor (elbow) -- both of whom have yet to enter game action this spring. Without that duo, the Astros will be without a lefty in their bullpen, thus opening the door for Gage to claim a roster spot. He made his big-league debut with Toronto in 2022 and maintained a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 13 innings.

Mushinski (back) will "probably not" be ready for Opening Day, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mushinski suffered back spasms early in camp, and he has been throwing for two weeks. Even so, he has yet to appear in game action and is unlikely to get fully ramped up in time for Opening Day. His absence won't affect the saves picture in Houston, though Mushinski was battling for a roster spot as the lone lefty reliever in the Astros' bullpen.

Fujinami has allowed five earned runs on six hits and eight walks while recording 13 strikeouts across eight innings in his first three Cactus League starts.

The former NPB star has seen some of his career-long control issues surface in fairly prominent fashion early in his MLB career, but he's also done a nice job closing out his fair share of hitters. Fujinami actually allowed just one earned run across five innings in his first two exhibitions before getting touched up for four runs over three frames by the Rockies in his most recent turn Monday, an outing in which he also rang up seven strikeouts. Fujinami worked up to 70 pitches against Colorado, and although he got only 40 of those offerings into the strike zone, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the right-hander's fastball hit 99 mph and his slider served as the putaway pitch on five of his seven Ks.

Ryan was reassigned Tuesday to minor-league camp by the Mariners, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Ryan signed a minor-league contract at the beginning of 2023 with Seattle. The right-hander will likely be a part of the Tacoma pitching staff as a bullpen option.

Berroa was optioned to Double-A Arkansas by the Mariners on Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Berroa impressed during the spring camp, but the right-hander was never a real option to make the Mariners out of spring training. The right-hander will be a part of the Arkansas rotation, and he has a chance to be a part of the Seattle staff before the end of 2023, with 2024 a more likely ETA.

Legumina was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Legumina was acquired by the Reds from the Twins over the summer in the deadline deal for Tyler Mahle. The right-hander forged a 4.80 ERA in 33 appearances -- 16 starts -- over 86.1 innings between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita last season.

Karcher was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Louisville by the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Karcher was added to the 40-man roster by Cincinnati over the winter. The right-hander recorded a 3.65 ERA over 56.2 innings of work with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.

Gilbert (elbow) was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Diamondbacks camp.

Gilbert had surrendered 10 earned runs through only 5.1 innings of work this spring in Cactus League play. It should be noted that the 29-year-old southpaw finished the 2022 season on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow sprain.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Reno by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Martinez struck out 62 batters over 38 innings last season in the minor leagues, though only 4.2 of those frames were above Double-A. The 21-year-old figures to open in a high-leverage role with Reno in 2023.