MLB Player News

Marte was pleased with the way his knee responded while running the bases during Monday's exhibition against the Cardinals, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Marte slotted in as the team's designated hitter Monday and expects to progress to outfield play at some point over the next few days as the club eases him back into action. The 36-year-old laced a double during the second inning and said he had no trouble reaching second base and even thought about trying for third, per Feinsand. It'll be worth keeping an eye on how he handles the field later in the week, but all signs point to Marte being a full go for Opening Day.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Nimmo (knee) resumed baseball activities Monday, Danny Abriano of SNY.tv reports.

Nimmo was given a gel injection Friday to combat soreness in his right knee and had been expected to return to Grapefruit League play Saturday or Sunday. While his recovery has taken a bit longer than expected, the Mets do not appear concerned, with Mendoza saying he's hopeful Nimmo can play in games "pretty soon." Nimmo has played just one game this spring, as he was initially held back early in camp because of a lingering plantar fasciitis issue in his left foot.

Nunez (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's his first time facing hitters in Mets camp, as the club is proceeding cautiously with Nunez following last season's second-half flexor strain. The team has not yet ruled Nunez out for Opening Day, but it's an optimistic stance to think he could be ready in time.

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

The move comes after Johnson tossed two scoreless frames and picked up a win in Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Twins. Johnson is projected to begin the season in the rotation at Lehigh Valley.

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

Rangel made two appearances for the Phillies in spring training and allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two across three innings. He'll begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but the 27-year-old reliever could see some time in the majors at some point this season if the Phillies need to bolster their bullpen.

Irvin gave up six runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over 3.1 innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out three.

Some shaky defense behind the right-hander got Irvin off the hook for some earned runs during a six-run first inning by New York, but most of the damage came on homers by Mark Vientos and Jakson Reetz. Irvin was still able to build up to 81 pitches (48 strikes), and the 28-year-old remains on track to begin the season in the Nationals' rotation despite his disconcerting 5:6 K:BB through 10.2 spring innings.

Law has made it his goal to break the Nationals' franchise record for innings pitched in a season by a reliever, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 34-year-old right-hander handled 90 innings last season, the most by a Washington reliever in the regular season since Tyler Clippard in 2010 and just three frames shy of Saul Rivera's record, set in 2007. As a result of that elevated workload, Law has been brought along slowly in camp and pitched to batters for the first time Monday on a back field, tossing 30 pitches. There's still time for him to get in Grapefruit League action before Opening Day as he prepares for work as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan -- in addition to his 90 innings in 2024 being a career high, Law's 17 holds were also a personal best.

Vientos went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

After Francisco Lindor reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first inning for the Mets, Vientos crushed a Jake Irvin pitch over the fence in left-center field. It was the third baseman's first long ball of the spring, and Vientos has had a solid camp so far, batting .273 (6-for-22) with a 1:3 BB:K in eight appearances. After a breakout 2024, New York is counting on the 25-year-old to handle a spot in the heart of the batting order this season.

Holmes struck out eight over 3.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He gave up one hit and walked three.

The right-hander built up to 67 pitches (38 strikes) and was absolutely dominant against a Washington lineup that featured CJ Abrams, James Wood, Nathaniel Lowe and other likely Opening Day starters. Holmes has worked to expand his pitch mix this spring as he transitions from closing to a rotation job, and so far the results have been impressive as he has a 13:4 K:BB through 9.2 spring innings with a 0.00 ERA.

The Padres reassigned Brooks to minor-league camp Monday.

Brooks made his MLB debut in his age-28 season in 2024, seeing action in 12 games with the Giants while posting a .361 OPS. The Giants outrighted him off the 40-man roster soon after his brief stint in the majors, and he finished the season at Triple-A Sacramento, where he slashed .302/.410/.453 across 407 plate appearances. After joining the Padres on a minor-league deal in November, Brooks will likely serve as organizational depth at Triple-A El Paso for most of the 2025 campaign.