MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks optioned Henry to Triple-A Reno on Monday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Henry's demotion leaves Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson as the remaining candidates to open the season as Arizona's No. 5 starter. During his 15 innings in Cactus League play, Henry was unable to solve the control problems that hindered him during his first taste of the big leagues in 2022, as he issued seven walks. Despite his struggles this spring, the Diamondbacks aren't yet ready to pull the plug on developing him as a starter, so he'll head back to Triple-A to hone his repertoire.

Fried allowed one hit and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings while striking out five in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

It was another impressive spring outing for the southpaw, who sports a 14:4 K:BB through 11.1 Grapefruit League innings without giving up a run. Fried remains in line to get the Opening Day assignment for Atlanta, although manager Brian Snitker has yet to make an announcement, and the 29-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.48 ERA and career-best 1.01 WHIP in a career-high 185.1 innings.

Megill gave up six runs (three earned) on six hits and five walks over 3.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out two.

David Peterson got the start Sunday while Megill came on in relief, and while neither pitcher was at their best, Peterson ended up with the much cleaner line in the box score. Megill did get stretched out to 78 pitches (42 strikes), but his late stumble in camp did him no favors as he tries to win the fifth starter role for the Mets. Barring a late development, Peterson should be viewed as the favorite to begin the regular season as part of the rotation.

Peterson gave up one hit and four walks over four scoreless innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out four.

The left-hander wasn't exactly sharp, throwing 40 of 66 pitches for strikes, but he was able to escape every jam his control issues created. More importantly for Peterson's chances of beginning the season in the Mets' rotation, Tylor Megill also pitched Sunday and had a much worse outing. Peterson posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 110:41 K:BB over 19 starts (91 innings) as a starter last year, and at this stage he appears to be the clear favorite to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Gray threw 82 pitches on a back field Thursday in order to work on his changeup rather than worrying about game results, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander has looked good over three Grapefruit League starts, posting a 6:1 K:BB through 6.1 innings and, perhaps more importantly, not giving up a home run, and Thursday's outing under controlled conditions indicates he's stretched out enough for the beginning of the regular season. Gray is still only 25 years old, and while his big-league numbers so far have been marred by his inability to keep the ball in the park, he still has plenty of upside. Adding a viable changeup to his arsenal might both improve his strikeout numbers and help him reduce his homers.

Soroka (hamstring) will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Tigers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is set to throw two innings in his first official game action since he suffered a right hamstring strain prior to camp opening. Soroka reportedly hit 93 mph in a live batting practice session this past Friday and just needs to build his stamina up at this point. He may not be an option to join the Atlanta rotation until late April or early May.

The Marlins reassigned Perez to minor-league camp Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins' top pitching prospect won't be included on the Opening Day roster, but the 19-year-old right-hander remains a candidate to make his MLB debut in 2023 if he stays healthy and continues to excel at the upper levels of the minors. Perez was hit hard in spring training -- he surrendered nine earned runs, 14 hits and two home runs in 10.2 innings -- but his control was solid (10:2 K:BB) in his limited sample of action. Miami hasn't indicated whether Perez will return to Double-A Pensacola to begin the campaign or if he'll report to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Henry allowed two hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against Kansas City.

Henry issued three walks and lamented he wasn't sharp in his first two innings, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. What helped settle him down was the Diamondbacks plating 10 runs in the bottom of the second, including nine off former D-back Zack Greinke. Henry is one of three pitchers remaining in major-league camp competing for the final rotation spot. After the organization sent prospect Brandon Pfaadt to minor-league camp, Henry, Drey Jameson and Ryne Nelson are left to compete.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Pfaadt to minor-league camp Sunday.

Pfaadt was always a longshot to make Arizona's Opening Day rotation, but he made a strong push in camp with a 3.75 ERA and 15:4 K:BB across 12 innings during spring training. The 24-year-old should begin the season with Triple-A Reno, where he posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 74:14 K:BB in 10 starts last year. He's a likely bet to make his big-league debut at some point in 2023.

Peterson is starting Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Peterson will get the start, and Tylor Megill will follow for the Mets in the spring affair. Both arms are battling for one of the final spots in the New York rotation, and their efforts Sunday will at least play a part in determining who ends up being a part of that group to open the year.