MLB Player News

The Rockies optioned Molina to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Molina appeared in two spring training games for the Rockies and allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings. He'll start the 2025 campaign in the minors, and he'll look to perform well enough to get a call-up to the majors should the Rockies need another arm out of the bullpen. Molina posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 59.2 innings for Colorado during the 2024 regular season.

The Nationals optioned Henry to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

The right-hander missed the entire second half of the 2024 campaign due to a lat injury and has transitioned to long relief for 2025. Henry made five starts for Double-A Harrisburg last year prior to the injury and had a 3.95 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB across 13.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Lara to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Lara is one of Washington's top prospects and was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to shield him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 86:32 K:BB across 99 innings.

Miller (head) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It will be his first time facing hitters since he was struck in the head by a comebacker back on Feb. 20. Miller has been out of concussion protocol for a few days, but it's not clear when he might be ready to return to games. The right-hander is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Parker (neck) threw a bullpen session Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Parker had to be scratched from a scheduled appearance in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to neck stiffness. However, he appears to be feeling better and should be cleared to return to game action soon. Parker is competing for a spot in the Nationals' rotation.

The Cardinals optioned Hence to Double-A Springfield on Friday.

The right-hander is one of the organization's top prospects and was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Hence was limited to 79.2 innings last season at Springfield due to back and lat discomfort, but he was dominant when available with a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB. Returning to the Double-A level is a bit of a surprise, and it shouldn't be long before he's bumped up to Triple-A Memphis.

The Diamondbacks optioned Elbis to Double-A Amarillo on Friday.

The 22-year-old was in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he was never a likely bet to actually make the Opening Day roster. Elbis had a 2.69 ERA in 16 starts at High-A Hillsboro last year before being promoted to Amarillo, where he had a 4.57 ERA across 45.1 innings.

Steele (illness) is feeling better and will get some throwing in at the Cubs' spring training complex Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele had been scheduled to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals but had to stay home while battling the flu. The lefty is expected to get in one more appearance, likely in a simulated game, before making his first start of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

Soroka gave up one run on four hits over four innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander built up to 61 pitches (37 strikes) as he faced a number of St. Louis regulars, including Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn. Injuries looked like they had completely derailed Soroka's career, but he found some success last season in the bullpen for the White Sox, and he's now in camp with the Nats looking to prove he still has something to offer as a starter. So far so good for Soroka, who's delivered a 9:1 K:BB through his first seven spring innings.

Ashby (oblique) will be shut down for about two weeks before resuming a throwing program, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby said Friday that the second opinion on his right oblique strain was more favorable than the first, but he will still need some down time and will not be ready for Opening Day. The left-hander anticipates being stretched back out as a starting pitcher, but it's unclear what his role will be with the Brewers once he's healthy.