MLB Player News

The Brewers optioned Black to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Between his poor showing in the Cactus League (5-for-34) and his struggles with the Brewers last season (.561 OPS), it seems Black is having a hard time figuring out major-league pitchers. He'll now head back to Nashville in an effort to right the ship, but the 24-year-old infielder may be running out of chances to prove himself as a big-league hitter.

Norby was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros with an apparent injury, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Norby suffered the injury on a slide into third base after hitting a triple, though it's not immediately clear what is bothering him. The Marlins' medical staff will take a closer look at him, and the team should provide some more information on his status in the near future.

Manager Rob Thomson said Suarez's back is feeling better after playing catch again Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies still haven't determined if Suarez will make his first start or head to the IL to begin the season, but Thomson said that decision will be made by Monday. The 29-year-old lefty is slated for another round of catch Sunday, which might help the team decide on his fate.

Cabrera (finger) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera is already slated to begin the season on the injured list, but the fact he's trending toward mound work before Opening Day is good news considering his throwing session Monday reportedly didn't go well. If he gets through his bullpen session with no issues, the plan is for Cabrera to pitch in a sim game Wednesday, at which point a return timeline may be established.

Reynolds (foot) is no longer wearing a walking boot and and is scheduled to ramp up his throwing in early April, per MLB.com.

Reynolds was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot in late February, but a recent MRI revealed "significant healing" in the affected extremity. As such, the righty reliever is slated to began building back up in around two weeks if he doesn't experience any setbacks. Reynolds won't be ready for Opening Day, but he could be a factor in San Diego's bullpen sometime in May.

Roupp remains neck-and-neck with Hayden Birdsong for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Kyle Harrison having been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong and Roupp are now the final candidates for the last starting spot. The 26-year-old Roupp has recorded a 3.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring, and he was considered the frontrunner coming into camp. The right-hander made 23 appearances (four starts) for the Giants in the 2024 campaign, during which he logged a 3.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:26 K:BB over 50.1 frames. The Giants are expected to get a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide the competition.

Birdsong remains neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Birdsong and Roupp are the final candidates for the fifth-starter spot after the Giants optioned Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Sacramento. Birdsong has made four appearances during Cactus League play, recording a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 frames. The 23-year-old made 16 starts for San Francisco during the 2024 campaign, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings. The Giants will likely take a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide who wins the final starting spot.

Brito has "backed off throwing" due to a sore right elbow, per MLB.com.

Brito began spring training competing for a spot in San Diego's rotation, but manager Mike Shildt announced in early March that the right-hander would be tabbed for a long-relief role. Now it's unlikely Brito will be ready for Opening Day, as he experienced diminished velocity and elbow soreness in his most recent spring outing, which took place back on March 4. If Brito begins the campaign on the injured list, Alek Jacob would have a clearer path to a roster spot as a long reliever.

Jones was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies haven't yet given a reason for Jones' removal from the starting nine, but the team should offer some clarity shortly. In the meantime, Benny Montgomery will patrol left field and bat eighth.

Bellozo has emerged as a leading candidate to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

A spot in Miami's rotation opened up once Ryan Weathers suffered a forearm strain Monday, and the reassignment of Janson Junk to minor-league camp Saturday puts Bellozo in a great position to make the Opening Day roster, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville himself last week. The 25-year-old righty started 13 games for the Marlins last season, finishing the campaign with a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. However, his 5.72 FIP indicates that his performance wasn't nearly as good as his base stats might suggest.