MLB Player News

Garcia gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief during Monday's split-squad game against the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander has been almost untouchable this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 9:0 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings. Garcia has recorded double-digit holds in three straight seasons, and he seems likely to make it four straight as he gets ready to be the Blue Jays' top setup man ahead of new closer Jeff Hoffman.

Hernandez appears to have a secure spot in the Atlanta bullpen following Monday's trade of Angel Perdomo to the Angels, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 28-year-old righty hasn't dominated this spring, but his 8:3 K:BB through 7.1 Grapefruit League innings offers a glimpse at his potential. Hernandez will likely begin the season in middle relief, with Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer and Dylan Lee as the primary setup men to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Bummer has a 0.00 ERA and 4:1 K:BB through five Grapefruit League innings.

The southpaw will be part of Atlanta's setup crew this season, along with right-hander Pierce Johnson and fellow lefty Dylan Lee. Bummer recorded a career-high 27 holds back in 2019 with the White Sox, and he could approach that number in 2025 given his impressive stuff -- he generated a 43.9 percent whiff rate with his sweeper last season, and no pitcher in baseball had a lower barrel rate allowed than his 1.3 percent.

Lee will begin the season as one of the primary setup men ahead of closer Raisel Iglesias in the Atlanta bullpen, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Pierce Johnson will be the team's main right-handed setup option, while Lee and Aaron Bummer will handle high-leverage innings from the left side. Lee has cruised through camp, posting a 7:1 K:BB through five Grapefruit League innings, and he could be poised to shatter his previous career high of nine holds, set in 2022 and tied in 2024.

Pilar could be squeezed out of a bullpen spot with Atlanta, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta dealt Angel Perdomo to the Angels on Monday, but that still may not leave a spot open for Pilar. The Rule 5 pick hasn't looked ready for the majors in spring training despite flashing his upside -- while he's struck out 12 batters in 5.2 Grapefruit League innings, he's also issued six walks and given up nine earned runs. If the team elects to keep AJ Smith-Shawver as a sixth starter or long reliever, it could come at Pilar's expense. The 27-year-old right-hander would need to be offered back to the Marlins if he isn't on the 26-man roster.

Payamps allowed two earned runs over an inning of relief in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Padres.

Payamps opened the exhibition season with three straight scoreless outings, but he was touched up for a couple runs in his fourth appearance. Payamps was a steady presence near the back end of Milwaukee's bullpen the last two years, over which he racked up 10 wins and nine saves. He figures to fill a similar role in 2025 and will likely open the campaign as the setup man in front of closer Trevor Megill.

Scott struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save versus the Cubs in Tokyo on Tuesday.

After signing a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason, it's fitting that Scott received and converted the first save opportunity of 2025. The left-hander worked quickly against the heart of Chicago's lineup, throwing eight of 10 pitches for strikes. Scott is expected to be Los Angeles' lead option for the ninth inning, but he could still have some saves vultured since manager Dave Roberts also has Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and, eventually, Michael Kopech (elbow) at his disposal.

Imanaga didn't factor in the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers in Tokyo after he struck out two and allowed no hits and four walks over four scoreless innings.

The left-hander didn't allow a hit while pitching in his home country of Japan, but Los Angeles still generated some opportunities with patience at the plate. Imanaga threw 43 of 69 pitches for strikes and induced 12 whiffs, so the stuff was good even though it didn't result in strikeouts. After posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174:28 K:BB over 173.1 innings as an MLB rookie last year, the 31-year-old produced a quality outing to begin 2025 despite a limited workload.

Puk walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's split-squad game against the Angels.

Arizona had its top two closer candidates working in separate split-squad games Monday. Both Puk and Justin Martinez worked scoreless innings, and both have pitched worthy of being the team's primary closer to start the regular season. Puk owns a 1.50 ERA with three walks and nine strikeouts over six Cactus League innings. Martinez has the same number of walks and strikeouts over the same number of frames, but a 4.50 ERA thanks to one bad outing. Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA) could also factor into the closing decision. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

Martinez struck out two over one inning in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Other than one ugly outing, Martinez has had a strong spring. One of the final questions remaining for the team in spring training is who will be the Diamondbacks' primary closer. Martinez has allowed three runs (all in one outing) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over six Cactus League innings. His primary competition for the job is A.J. Puk (1.50 ERA, six innings), with Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA, 5.1 innings) also in consideration.