MLB Player News
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Quinn Mathews SP | STL
Cardinals' Quinn Mathews: Reassigned to minors camp
The Cardinals reassigned Mathews to minor-league camp Monday.
Mathews showed encouraging signs in his last Grapefruit League appearance in racking up seven strikeouts over 2.2 innings, but he was always destined to open the season in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis. The southpaw will be seeking a bounce-back year after he stumbled in 2025 with a 3.93 ERA and 107:74 K:BB over 94 innings with Memphis.
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Brycen Mautz SP | STL
Cardinals' Brycen Mautz: Dropped from big-league camp
The Cardinals optioned Mautz to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.
The Cardinals previously hadn't dismissed the possibility of Mautz making the team as a reliever, but he will begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis. Mautz posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings at Double-A Springfield in 2025.
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Alex McFarlane SP | PHI
Phillies' Alex McFarlane: Opening season at Double-A
The Phillies optioned McFarlane to Double-A Reading on Sunday.
McFarlane was awarded a spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster over the winter after turning in a 4.84 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 82:43 K:BB over 80 innings between Reading and High-A Jersey Shore in his first season back in action following his September 2023 Tommy John surgery.The 24-year-old righty is regarded as one of the more exciting young arms in the Philadelphia system, but he's likely at least a year away from contributing for the big club.
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Antwone Kelly SP | PIT
Pirates' Antwone Kelly: Bound for Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Kelly was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 22-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster in the offseason after he turned in a 3.02 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 116:33 K:BB over 107.1 innings between stops at High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona last season.
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Braves' Joey Wentz: Out for season with torn ACL
Wentz will be sidelined for the entire 2026 season after being diagnosed Monday with a torn right ACL, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Wentz was injured on a collision near first base during Grapefruit League play Sunday versus the Rays, and an MRI has revealed bad news. It's yet another blow to the rotation depth for an Atlanta club that's already lost Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow) to surgeries this spring.
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Wilber Dotel SP | PIT
Pirates' Wilber Dotel: Reporting to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Dotel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Dotel was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 23-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster in the offseason after he turned in a 4.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 131:43 K:BB over 125.2 innings in 27 starts for Double-A Altoona in 2025.
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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Dazzles in Grapefruit League outing
Liberatore permitted two runs while striking out seven across five frames in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
In addition to his seven punchouts, Liberatore did not issue a walk and picked up 16 swinging strikes on 65 pitches. It's the most whiffs for any pitcher in a single appearance so far this spring and is just one off Liberatore's regular-season high of 17. The left-hander has had an impressive showing this spring with a 2.70 ERA and 14:1 K:BB over 10 innings. Liberatore is expected to draw the Opening Day start for the Cardinals, though that has not yet been made official.
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Braxton Garrett SP | MIA
Marlins' Braxton Garrett: Sharp in Sunday's start
Garrett allowed one run on one hit and one walk over three innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out two.
The southpaw threw 23 of 37 pitches for strikes, but while his line in the box score was good, Garrett wasn't able to match the velocity he's been flashing during batting practice sessions in camp. He sat just 91-92 mph with his four-seam fastball against the Cards and topping out at 93.6 mph. That would still be a step up from what he was showing prior to UCL revision surgery in December 2024, however, as the pitch averaged just 90.7 mph in 2024 and 90.8 mph in 2023. After not seeing game action at all in 2025, Garrett has been healthy to begin spring training and remains a favorite to open the season in the Miami rotation.
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RJ Petit SP | COL
Rockies' RJ Petit: Diagnosed with UCL sprain
The Rockies announced Monday that Petit has been diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
The diagnosis is often a precursor to UCL surgery, but Petit will consult with doctors before making a decision. A Rule 5 pick, Petit could be stashed on the 60-day injured list while he recovers, though the Rockies would still have to follow regular Rule 5 roster guidelines once Petit is off the 60-day IL.