MLB Player News

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

Herz will miss the cut for Washington's Opening Day rotation and wrap up Grapefruit League play with nine runs allowed (seven earned) over 9.2 innings. The 24-year-old southpaw posted a 4.16 ERA across 19 starts with the big club last season, and if he's able to return to form in Triple-A, he could rejoin the Nationals at some point this summer.

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

Ogasawara's transition from Japan to the U.S. hasn't gone as well as he probably had hoped. In five Grapefruit League games, the 27-year-old lefty allowed 19 runs (15 earned) in 12 innings while striking out 10 batters and walking eight. He'll now head to the minors as a result of his rough start, and it may be a while before he's ready to face MLB hitters.

Scott socked a solo home run, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs Friday versus the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

The home run was Scott's fourth of the spring, which ties him for the team lead. He's also stolen five bases while collecting a 9:8 K:BB. Scott has done all he can to secure the Cardinals' center field job, but it remains possible that he begins the year back at Triple-A Memphis. Michael Siani and Lars Nootbaar are also in the running for reps in center field with St. Louis.

The Diamondbacks optioned Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Del Castillo missed out on Arizona's Opening Day roster after going 3-for-24 with 12 strikeouts in nine spring games. The 25-year-old could still see the big leagues at some point this season but isn't likely to see much playing time if Gabriel Moreno stays healthy.

The Mets optioned Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Manny Gomez of NJ.com reports.

Zuber pitched well this spring, posting a 1.17 ERA with six strikeouts in 7.2 innings, but it wasn't enough to capture an Opening Day roster spot. The 29-year-old will be part of the Syracuse bullpen to open the year.

Gray acknowledged Friday that his velocity has been down this spring, but he says he's healthy, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The 35-year-old ended last season on the injured list with right forearm flexor tendinitis and revealed Friday that he received a pain-killing injection at the time that delayed his offseason throwing program. He insists that his pitching arm is now fine physically, but the delayed throwing could be the cause for his velocity being down. Gray averaged just 90.6 mph with his four-seamer in Friday's start versus the Astros, which is down nearly two mph from last season's mark. The right-hander allowed five runs over 4.2 innings in the outing and now holds a 12.56 ERA in five Grapefruit League starts. For what it's worth, Gray said Friday of his velocity that "I still think that will come," per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Atlanta acquired Wiles from the Rays on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Wiles, 26, spent last season at Triple-A Durham, posting a 5.54 ERA and 72:26 K:BB over 87.2 frames. He's struck out 11 and walked two over 6.1 innings this spring. Wiles will likely be assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Strahm (shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

If that goes well, he will pitch in the Phillies' Grapefruit League finale Monday, setting him up to be ready to go for Opening Day. Strahm's last game appearance came on March 5, as he's been shelved by a left shoulder impingement that's caused inflammation.

McGreevy struck out four while yielding just one hit over five scoreless frames in Friday's Grapefruit League start versus the Mets.

McGreevy's impressive spring continues, as he now boasts a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB across 16.2 innings of work. The young righty could be left out of the Cardinals' Opening Day rotation in spite of the strong Grapefruit League showing, although the club is mulling a six-man setup that would help McGreevy's chances.

Imanaga will not start either of the Cubs' first two games during their March 27-30 series against the Diamondbacks, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Imanaga started the first game of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers and spun four scoreless innings. However, he will have to wait until at least the third game back in the states, as the Cubs will go with Justin Steele in their domestic opener and follow him with Jameson Taillon.