MLB Player News

Atlanta assigned Diekman to minor-league camp Sunday.

Diekman signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in February after appearing in 43 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024 with a 5.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. He opened spring training with five scoreless outings but gave up four earned runs over his last two appearances. The 38-year-old southpaw will likely be dispatched to Triple-A Gwinnett but could see major-league action at some point in 2025.

Spiers appears to be behind Andrew Abbott for the Reds' fifth starter's job, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Abbott started the spring a little bit behind because of a left shoulder issue, and he still hasn't pitched in a big-league spring training game. He did toss two innings in a minor-league game however, and with the Reds not immediately needing a fifth starter to begin the season, the team seems willing to wait for him to get stretched out. To his credit, Spiers hasn't pitched poorly in camp, posting an 8:2 K:BB over five Cactus League innings without giving up a homer -- something that was an issue for the right-hander in 2024, when he served up 20 long balls in only 90.2 MLB innings.

Abbott appears to be the favorite to win the Reds' fifth starter job, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw has yet to in a major-league spring training game this season, but the Reds won't need a fifth starter right away so Abbott's incumbency advantage still weighs heavily. That said, his edge is pretty precarious. "If there's a hiccup -- even not just him but weather-wise -- it could derail that first day," manager Terry Francona said. Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers are also still vying for the job.

The Rockies optioned Gilbreath to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2023, Gilbreath didn't make his 2024 season debut until last August. He then underwent neurogenic thoracic surgery near his left neck/shoulder in the offseason, which limited him to one outing in spring training. The southpaw will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but he should be in the mix for a promotion when the Rockies need bullpen depth.

Strider (elbow) will make his first start of spring training Monday against the Red Sox, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It's a big step for Strider, who will be seeing his first game action since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his elbow last April. The right-hander will begin the campaign on the injured list, but he could make his 2025 debut in late April if he remains on schedule with his rehab.

Taillon allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 4.1 innings in Sunday's exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants. He struck out four.

With the Cubs set to take on the Dodgers in Tokyo during a two-game set March 18-19, Taillon and his teammates got the opportunity to first play an exhibition game against a team from Nippon Professional Baseball. The veteran righty looked sharp as he tunes up for his regular-season debut. That figures to come later this month after the short series in Tokyo, as Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele are slated to start those contests for Chicago. Taillon projects as a solid if not spectacular fantasy option in 2025 serving as the Cubs' No. 3 starter.

Through 10 Cactus League games, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .519/.500/1.000 with three home runs and 11 RBI.

The young outfielder handled a regular MLB role for the first time in 2024, and while he batted only .237 with a .286 on-base percentage, he did muster 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 123 games. Per Mike Petriello of MLB.com, Crow-Armstrong made some tweaks to his swing as the 2024 campaign went on, including moving back in the batter's box. The adjustments seemed to help, and if he can carry over some of his spring momentum into 2025, Crow-Armstrong could be poised for a true breakout effort.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Mauricio (knee) will not appear in any spring games, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing ACL surgery in December of 2023 before having a cleanup procedure in August. Mendoza said back in February that Mauricio was targeting a mid-March return, but it appears the 23-year-old infielder may start the 2025 season on the injured list or in extended spring training before reporting to Triple-A Syracuse.

Manager Oliver Marmol announced Sunday that Gray will start Opening Day against the Twins on March 27, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's hardly a surprise that the veteran right-hander will be leading the St. Louis rotation, but the skipper made it official Sunday. Gray had a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203:39 K:BB across 166.1 innings last season, though his two spring starts have been a bit bumpy with five homers allowed.

The Marlins optioned Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Pauley was acquired by the Marlins from the Padres in late July in a trade package centered around Tanner Scott. Pauley will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A after going 7-for-26 with two walks and four RBI in spring training. He appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Padres in 2024 and could see some action in the majors in 2025 if the Marlins are in need of infield depth.