MLB Player News

The Marlins optioned Sanchez (shoulder) to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sanchez has been throwing in camp as he works his way back from multiple shoulder surgeries, but he needs time. The hope is that he'll become an option for the Marlins' rotation at some point around midseason.

The Nationals optioned Rutledge to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday,Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Rutledge pitched at Low-A Fredericksburg in 2022 but will make the jump to Harrisburg to start 2023. The first-round pick has been a disappointment so far in his three years of pro ball.

Washington optioned Irvin to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Irvin will head to Triple-A after splitting last season between High- and Double-A. He was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and could push for a debut at some point in 2023.

San Diego manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Darvish, who is currently pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, may not pitch in any Cactus League contests upon his return to the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Darvish made his spring pitching debut for Japan in the WBC on March 10, allowing three runs (two earned) over three innings. It's unclear how Japan's rotation lines up moving forward, but if Darvish doesn't throw in Thursday's quarterfinal contest against Italy early Thursday, he could potentially pitch in the semifinal or championship game, if Japan advances it that far. In such a scenario, the Padres could opt to rest him for the remainder of the spring slate, especially if they plan to put him on the mound for the team's Opening Day matchup versus Colorado on March 30. The WBC provides a much more competitive atmosphere than Cactus League exhibition contests, so Darvish's participation in the tournament could provide enough of a ramp-up to prepare him for the regular season.

Before he left Sunday's spring training start with calf cramps, Ashcraft was reaching 100 mph on his fastball and getting more swings-and-misses, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Despite a fastball that averaged 97.2 mph last year, Ashcraft managed only a 15.3 percent strikeout rate and 8.8 percent swinging strike percentage. Ashcraft already threw hard, so added velocity alone won't be sufficient to guarantee better results this season. However, the reports of added swings-and-misses before his calf cramp were promising.

Mikolas will pitch in relief Monday against Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was previously scheduled to start Wednesday against Colombia, but instead that honor will go to Merrill Kelly. Mikolas will instead piggyback with Lance Lynn against Canada in a game the United States realistically must win in order to stay alive in the tournament.

Kelly will start Wednesday against Colombia for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It was originally reported Miles Mikolas would start Wednesday's game, but instead it will be Kelly on the bump in a must-win game for the United States. Mikolas will instead piggyback with Lance Lynn against Canada on Monday, per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Miller was reassigned Monday to minor-league camp by the Dodgers.

Miller is one of the top pitching prospects in the system and has a chance to make starts for the Dodgers in 2023. The right-hander registered a 145:37 K:BB along with a 4.25 ERA in 112.1 innings across 24 appearances -- 23 starts -- between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City last season.

Small was optioned Monday to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Small was auditioning for a bullpen spot with the Brewers this spring, but he comes up short -- at least to begin the season. The left-hander has shown impressive swing-and-miss stuff but also has had trouble finding the strike zone, and that includes three walks in five innings over four Cactus League appearances. If Small can ever find the command, he has a chance to be a fantasy contributor, but there's as much risk as reward in his profile.

Rea was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rea will head to Milwaukee's farm system to serve as pitching depth after spending the 2022 season in Japan with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. His last big-league experience dates back to 2021 when he made one appearance for Milwaukee, though he also pitched in 20 contests during the 2016 season across stops in Miami and San Diego.