MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Sweet to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sweet -- who was acquired via trade over the offseason -- yielded three runs with a 5:3 K:BB in six innings this spring. The 28-year-old will provide bullpen depth at Lehigh Valley.

The Red Sox optioned Guerrero to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Guerrero struck out 10 over 5.2 innings this spring but also walked nine and surrendered six runs. The 24-year-old was terrific during a cup of coffee in the majors last season -- allowing just one unearned run over 10 innings -- and should get another opportunity in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

Romero is away from the Giants due to personal reasons, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Romero was a non-roster invitee to spring training, but he hasn't made an appearance since March 9. The 34-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched in the big leagues since the 2018 campaign, during which he posted a 12.60 ERA, 2.90 WHIP and 10 strikeouts across 10 innings with three different teams. Romero is competing for a spot in the bullpen, though he appears to be a long shot to make the Giants' Opening Day roster.

Chapman "appears to have become the in-house favorite" to open the season as the Red Sox' closer, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

Chapman has clearly outpitched Liam Hendriks (10.80 ERA) this spring, allowing two runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings. Walks are likely to continue to be a major problem for Chapman, but, even at 37, he remains one of the hardest throwers and best bat-missers in the game. His leash is likely to be short if he is indeed named Boston's closer, with Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten looming as alternatives.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Swanson (forearm) will resume a throwing program Wednesday or Thursday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It will be the beginning of what Schneider referred to as a "normal-ish, maybe a little bit of an accelerated ramp-up" similar to what pitchers do at the start of spring training. Given that timetable, it sounds like Swanson will probably miss most, it not all, of April, as he works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's 8.59 ERA in nine spring appearances derailed his chances of earning a place on the Opening Day roster. Hernandez had a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings at Sugar Land last year but gave up seven earned runs in five regular-season outings with Houston.

Ort (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has progressed slowly but surely from an early-camp left oblique injury. The Astros don't appear to have officially ruled him out for Opening Day yet, but it seems unlikely that he will be ready.

The Angels optioned Silseth to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Silseth entered camp with a chance to win the fifth spot in the rotation, but he didn't pitch well, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) while walking 10 over 13 Cactus League innings. The competition for the final spot in the Angels rotation is now down to Reid Detmers and Jack Kochanowicz.

Mears (illness) said Tuesday that he will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Mears missed time last week due to an apparently severe stomach illness that resulted in him losing nearly 10 pounds. He seems to be feeling healthy again and was able to complete a side session Monday, but Mears doesn't look as though he'll have enough time to get reconditioned before the Brewers open their season March 27 versus the Yankees. Mears will continue to build up with a series of bullpen sessions and simulated games and could be ready to return from the IL around when he's first eligible April 11.

Taylor (lat) will begin the season on the injured list but is expected back at some point in April, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Taylor has been held out of Cactus League play due to a right lat strain suffered back in January. He has progressed well since then and will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, but the the 23-year-old reliever simply needs more time to ramp up. Taylor collected a 3.72 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings with Seattle last season.