MLB Player News

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

He crushed a pitch from Miguel Castro over the left-field fence in the sixth inning. It was Alonso's first long ball this spring, but he also has four doubles among his nine hits while batting .220 (9-for-41) with a 7:8 BB:K. The slugging first baseman appears to be getting his timing down just in time for Opening Day.

Diaz sat 93-95 mph with his fastball during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, according to the stadium radar gun, and Statcast has him averaging 95.7 mph with his four-seamer this spring, his lowest mark since 2020, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stadium guns aren't always reliable, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says he isn't concerned -- he indicated after Wednesday's outing that the closer had hit 97 mph in a back-field game recently. Still, Diaz's velocity has been on the decline since his 2023 ACL surgery, and he averaged 99 mph the spring prior to that injury. If the 30-year-old right-hander has lost some of his heat, he'll need to compensate with better control -- his 9.3 percent walk rate last season was his highest mark since 2020. Even if he can't regain his elite form or consistent triple-digit fastball, Diaz is still locked in as the Mets' closer.

Riley went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The third baseman took Fernando Cruz deep in the sixth inning for the first runs of the game after Spencer Schwellenbach and Carlos Carrasco engaged in a pitcher's duel through the first part of the contest. It was Riley's second homer of the spring, and a good sign that the pitch he took off his right hand over the weekend won't be a lingering issue. Through 14 Grapefruit League appearances, Riley is batting .294 (10-for-34) with a 3:9 BB:K and three doubles in addition to his long balls.

Schwellenbach gave up two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out 10 in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The right-hander built up to 78 pitches (57 strikes) in a dominant outing against a Yankees lineup that featured Aaron Judge, Austin Wells and a bunch of bench players and minor leaguers. The level of competition doesn't take away from Schwellenbach's performance though, as he didn't even allow a runner to reach second base. With Opening Day on the horizon, Schwellenbach seems more than ready, having posted a 2.41 ERA and eye-popping 26:2 K:BB through 18.2 Grapefruit League innings.

Gomber (shoulder) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Gomber is recovering well from left shoulder soreness, but he's made just one appearance this spring and that was back on Feb. 25. The left-hander is expected to be ready to rejoin the Rockies' rotation early on in the season. Colorado will operation with a four-man rotation until Gomber is ready.

Dollander is likely to begin the season in the Triple-A Albuquerque rotation, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Dollander has trended up in his last two Cactus League starts, throwing a combined 7.2 scoreless innings with a 10:4 K:BB. However, he yielded 10 runs (nine earned) and walked five over 6.2 frames in his first three outings, and the Rockies evidently think he could use a little more seasoning in the minors. While Dollander appears headed to Albuquerque for now, he remains a good bet to spend a large chunk of the 2025 campaign in the Rockies' rotation.

The Phillies optioned Stubbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

This transaction locks in Rafael Marchan as the backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto in Philadelphia to begin the 2025 regular season. Stubbs had a respectable spring with an .804 OPS in 10 games, and he has developed a reputation as a well-liked clubhouse presence, but he is a career .215/.294/.311 hitter in the major leagues.

The Diamondbacks are fielding interest from other teams about a possible trade involving Montgomery, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports.

Montgomery, who got a late start to Cactus League action due to a strained finger, made his second spring start Wednesday, throwing 40 pitches. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings. It was an encouraging outing that could lead to further interest as teams set rosters for Opening Day. The left-hander is competing with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the final spot in Arizona's rotation. Whatever happens, Montgomery will get one more Cactus League outing to build up his pitch count and could be ready for the first week of the regular season, if he's pitching at the back end of the rotation or if a team uses an off day to get by with four starters.

In discussing Arizona's closer role, manager Torey Lovullo mentioned Mantiply as someone that could get save opportunities, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "I don't want to dismiss Joe Mantiply," Lovullo said. "He's really good against lefties. So I don't know what the answer is, but I'll probably go more matchup based for right now until it's the right time to make that decision."

Lovullo feels all the candidates to close, which include Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, have thrown well this spring. There's still a handful of Cactus League games the manager can use to evaluate, but this process could play out into the regular season. Mantiply has a 1.35 ERA with three walks and three strikeouts over 6.2 spring innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo may hold off on naming a closer prior to Opening Day, which means Ginkel remains an option to earn saves during the regular season, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Lovullo maintains his preference is to have one primary closer, but he believes none of the group that includes Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk have separated from the pack. "Everyone's thrown really well," Lovullo said. " I want somebody to emerge in the moment and see where that goes." The manager also meditated on various late-game scenarios, where it might make sense to use a lefty or righty matchup in the ninth inning. Lovullo also mentioned lefty Joe Mantiply could be used in a specific matchup.