MLB Player News

The Nationals optioned Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Lipscomb was competing for a reserve role with the Nationals but came up short. He'll play multiple infield positions at Rochester while he waits for another opportunity at the big-league level.

The Nationals optioned Hassell to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Hassell has had a great Grapefruit League showing, batting .370 with one home run and two stolen bases. However, the 23-year-old has failed to put up even a .650 OPS each of the last two seasons in the minors, so he needs further refinement.

Diaz has posted a 4:3 K:BB through 2.1 innings over three Grapefruit League innings this spring, allowing two runs on three hits.

While the small-sample ratios aren't pretty, the fact that four of Diaz's seven outs this spring have come via strikeout should be reassuring to potential fantasy investors. The veteran closer had an erratic 2024 as well -- his seven blown saves tied his career high -- but being one year further removed from the ACL surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2023 campaign should help him regain his elite form.

Canning gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out nine.

The right-hander built up to 71 pitches (45 strikes) in a dominant outing that was blemished only by a Josh Lowe solo shot in the first inning. Canning was never able to reach his potential with the Angels, but he may have figured something out with the help of the Mets' coaching staff. Over 10 Grapefruit League innings he's delivered a stunning 16:2 K:BB, and Lowe's homer marked the first run he's allowed this spring.

Mauricio (knee) will remain in St. Lucie for extended spring training when the Mets break camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old hasn't had a setback in his recovery from the knee surgery that cost him the entire 2024 campaign, but the organization is being cautious with a player it still considers to be a key piece of the future. Mauricio should eventually work his way up to Triple-A Syracuse once the training staff is confident he's 100 percent, and he could be part of the puzzle at second base for the Mets later this season. Over 26 games in 2023 in his MLB debut, Mauricio posted a .248/.296/.347 slash line, hit two homers while going 7-for-7 on steal attempts, and registered an eye-popping exit velocity of 117.3 mph on his first career hit.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Jones has already had imaging on his sore right elbow and is waiting on a second opinion, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

A second opinion on an injury typically isn't sought out if the first opinion is favorable, so the news is less than ideal. However, Tomczyk added that "I don't want to be an alarmist" and was quick to point out that the team is still in the information-gathering stage. Jones will not pitch again during spring training and a stint on the injured list is highly likely, but the bigger concern here is if the right-hander needs surgery. More on Jones' status should be known in the coming days.

Nunez struck out one in a scoreless inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The right-hander was brought along slowly in camp after arm trouble derailed his second half in 2024, but Nunez looked just about ready for Opening Day in his first game action of the spring Monday. He needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through some Tampa Bay minor-league hitters in the seventh inning, and per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Nunez topped out at 98 mph with his fastball. "I was very grateful to get back out there," Nunez said through an interpreter after the game. "I feel healthy, I feel strong. I'm trying to avoid having any setbacks... I'm just trying to continue to push forward." Nunez was a breakout bullpen star in the first half of last season, and he finished the campaign with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB through his first 35 big-league innings. If he can stay on the mound, the 28-year-old could be a key setup man for Edwin Diaz in 2025.

Gillispie allowed one run on two hits and two walks over four innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 27-year-old right-hander built up to 51 pitches (26 strikes) as he looks to secure the spot in the Marlins' rotation created with Edward Cabrera (blister) set to begin the season on the IL. Gillispie made his big-league debut with the Guardians in 2024, working eight innings over three relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA and 8:5 K:BB, and his numbers at Triple-A also showed a bit of promise as he struck out 119 batters in 113.1 innings for Columbus. Pitching for Miami won't provide Gillispie with much fantasy appeal, but he could be worth a dart throw in NL-only formats.

The Dodgers optioned Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Outman was included on the Dodgers' season-opening 26-man active roster for the club's two-game set in Tokyo versus the Cubs this week, but he didn't appear in either contest. The 27-year-old functioned as the team's fourth outfielder in Japan, but since utility men Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez are all capable of playing both the infield and outfield, the Dodgers should be able to get by without Outman.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Knack struck out three over two scoreless innings and picked up a win in Wednesday's victory over the Cubs in the second game of the Tokyo Series. However, it appears he will not be included on the Dodgers' roster for their domestic opener. Knack should operate as a starter with Oklahoma City but could rejoin the Dodgers later in the season either in the rotation or bullpen.