MLB Player News

Morejon left Sunday's game against the Athletics with discomfort in the back of his arm, above his elbow, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

This is unfortunately all too familiar for Morejon, who has never topped 65.1 innings in a season despite the fact the Padres have continued to try developing him as a starting pitcher. He should be considered out indefinitely and any hopes of him breaking camp in the big-league rotation are likely dashed.

The Giants optioned Cruz to minor-league camp Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It appears Cruz was sent to Triple-A Sacramento despite the fact he spent last season at the Single-A level. The 22-year-old produced a 2.06 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 86:23 K:BB over 52.1 innings for San Jose last season, which was his first action above rookie ball.

Mata was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora said in February that Mata could make his MLB debut this season, though it's still not a surprise the right-hander won't be on the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old finished the 2022 campaign with Worcester after he was promoted in August, and he could see the majors before too long if he can replicate the 3.47 ERA he posted at Triple-A last season.

Beck exited Sunday's spring game against the A's after being hit in the left ankle with a comebacker, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Beck came out of the bullpen Sunday and delivered 2.2 scoreless frames before exiting the contest. It's unclear if the 26-year-old will be available for his next turn through the rotation, and he should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

Montes de Oca suffered a forearm injury during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays and will undergo medical imaging Monday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Montes de Oca seems unlikely to be available for at least a couple weeks, depending on the specifics of the injury. The 26-year-old righty made his MLB debut last season and gave up four earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings.

Montes de Oca exited Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays with an apparent injury after he was visited on the mound by an athletic trainer, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Montes de Oca has pitched well thus far in camp, but he issued three straight walks Sunday before being removed with what could be an arm-related issue. The 26-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

The Mariners optioned Then to Double-A Arkansas on Sunday.

Then is heading into his third season as a member of the Mariners' 40-man roster, but he doesn't appear especially close to making his MLB debut. The 23-year-old right-hander covered just 12 frames in the minors between Arkansas and the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate in 2022, making one-inning appearances in each of those outings.

The Mariners reassigned McCaughan to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

After making two appearances (one start) for Seattle in 2021, McCaughan spent the entire 2022 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma, where he logged a 4.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 141 batters over 154.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander is expected to continue serving as organizational starting pitching depth at Tacoma in 2023, and his lack of a 40-man roster spot likely won't make him the Mariners' first choice if a spot starter is needed at the big-league level.

Naughton has allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings through five Grapefruit League appearances.

Naughton was on and off the Cardinals' major-league roster for much of 2022, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB across 32 innings. He started three of his six appearances, but his path to staying in the majors this season is in the bullpen since the Cardinals have a surplus of potential starters. Naughton remains unlikely to challenge for a high-leverage role, so he won't be a factor in most fantasy formats.

Johnson (knee) worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless seventh inning in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners in Cactus League play.

Johnson was making his first Cactus League appearance in just under a week after experiencing right knee soreness following his previous outing. The knee issue didn't dramatically derail Johnson during his buildup program, so he looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season.