MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Sweet to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sweet -- who was acquired via trade over the offseason -- yielded three runs with a 5:3 K:BB in six innings this spring. The 28-year-old will provide bullpen depth at Lehigh Valley.

Steele (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo on Wednesday after he surrendered five runs on five hits and one walk across four innings. He struck out five.

Steele struggled to a 9.35 ERA in three spring appearances, and those troubles carried over to his 2025 debut. The left-hander had a 0.7 HR/9 in the previous three seasons, but he was taken deep Wednesday by Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez. Steele built up to 67 pitches and could face some minor workload limitations for his first couple starts stateside as he continues to build up his arm.

Sasaki didn't factor in the decision Wednesday against the Cubs in Tokyo after giving up one run on one hit and five walks over three innings. He struck out three.

The 23-year-old appeared to be battling some nerves as he threw just 25 of his 56 pitches for strikes, but he buckled down after issuing a bases-loaded walk during the third inning with two straight strikeouts to end the frame. The control issues aside, it was a good debut for Sasaki, who was able to limit the damage to a single run despite the significant traffic. The right-hander will now have some time before the Dodgers start their domestic schedule against the Tigers next Thursday. Sasaki will likely continue to have some pitch restrictions as he builds up his workload over his next few starts.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Jones experienced elbow discomfort during his most recent bullpen session and won't be able to make his final Grapefruit League start later this week, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Shelton said that the Pirates will have internal conversations regarding when Jones will be able to make his first start of the season, but given that elbow discomfort can often foreshadow a more significant injury, the young right-hander would seem at high risk of landing on the injured list. Before a decision is made on Jones' next steps, the Pirates will presumably wait and see how his elbow responds to a few days of rest. If Jones is shelved to begin the season, the Pirates could open up a spot in the rotation for prospect Thomas Harrington, who wasn't expected to break camp with the big club but excelled in his first Grapefruit League start Tuesday.

Hurtubise and Blake Dunn remain in camp competing for the final spot in the outfield, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Rosecrans' latest roster projection has Dunn claiming the final outfield slot, but Hurtubise is having a moment this spring. He's batting .310/.487/.517 through 19 Cactus League games. Both Hurtubise and Dunn made their major-league debuts in 2024.

Dunn is projected to the be the Reds' fifth outfielder in the latest roster projection compiled by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

The first four outfielders are set, leaving Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise to compete for the final spot. Dunn, who reached the majors for the first time in 2024, has improved his defense over the years and will provide speed if needed along with on-base ability.

Miley (elbow) faced hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery last June, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Miley threw 20 pitches to three teammates, using his entire repertoire. The left-hander underwent what was termed a "hybrid procedure" which is similar to the traditional Tommy John surgery but has a shorter recovery time. The Reds are hopeful he'll be ready to pitch in big-league games at some point in May. Naturally, there will be a progression that includes more live batting practice sessions and extended spring games in Arizona. It's unclear where Miley fits on Cincinnati's pitching staff.

Yorke remains in the mix for a roster spot to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Yorke has gotten a lot of run this spring and collected seven hits across 30 Grapefruit League at-bats. He has only two extra-base hits with 10 strikeouts, but he has also drawn six walks. With Spencer Horwitz (wrist) likely to begin the regular season on the injured list, one of Yorke, Billy Cook or DJ Stewart is likely to break camp with the team and earn at least some playing time at first base.

Cook remains a candidate to win a roster spot to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spencer Horwitz's wrist injury has likely opened a roster spot and potential playing time at first base to begin the regular season, with Cook a potential beneficiary. He has only four hits across 25 Grapefruit League at-bats, but his 9:8 K:BB suggests he isn't as overwhelmed as his .160 average suggests. Cook is seemingly competing with Nick Yorke and DJ Stewart for one of the Pirates' final spots on the roster.

Stewart remains in the mix to win the Pirates' first base job to begin the regular season, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stewart is in camp as a non-roster invitee and has remained in contention to fill in for the injured Spencer Horwitz (wrist) by collecting 10 hits across 33 Grapefruit League at-bats, including six extra-base knocks. However, Stewart has also struck out 12 times while walking only three times. Billy Cook and Nick Yorke appear to be the other primary candidates, both of whom are already on the 40-man roster.