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Sean Reynolds RP | SD
Padres' Sean Reynolds: Sheds walking boot
Reynolds (foot) is no longer wearing a walking boot and and is scheduled to ramp up his throwing in early April, per MLB.com.
Reynolds was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot in late February, but a recent MRI revealed "significant healing" in the affected extremity. As such, the righty reliever is slated to began building back up in around two weeks if he doesn't experience any setbacks. Reynolds won't be ready for Opening Day, but he could be a factor in San Diego's bullpen sometime in May.
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Landen Roupp SP | SF
Giants' Landen Roupp: In tight battle for starting role
Roupp remains neck-and-neck with Hayden Birdsong for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
With Kyle Harrison having been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong and Roupp are now the final candidates for the last starting spot. The 26-year-old Roupp has recorded a 3.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring, and he was considered the frontrunner coming into camp. The right-hander made 23 appearances (four starts) for the Giants in the 2024 campaign, during which he logged a 3.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:26 K:BB over 50.1 frames. The Giants are expected to get a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide the competition.
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Hayden Birdsong P | SF
Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Still in mix for fifth-starter role
Birdsong remains neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Birdsong and Roupp are the final candidates for the fifth-starter spot after the Giants optioned Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Sacramento. Birdsong has made four appearances during Cactus League play, recording a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 frames. The 23-year-old made 16 starts for San Francisco during the 2024 campaign, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings. The Giants will likely take a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide who wins the final starting spot.
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Jhony Brito RP | SD
Padres' Jhony Brito: Dealing with elbow soreness
Brito has "backed off throwing" due to a sore right elbow, per MLB.com.
Brito began spring training competing for a spot in San Diego's rotation, but manager Mike Shildt announced in early March that the right-hander would be tabbed for a long-relief role. Now it's unlikely Brito will be ready for Opening Day, as he experienced diminished velocity and elbow soreness in his most recent spring outing, which took place back on March 4. If Brito begins the campaign on the injured list, Alek Jacob would have a clearer path to a roster spot as a long reliever.
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Nolan Jones LF | SEA
Rockies' Nolan Jones: Scratched Saturday
Jones was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
The Rockies haven't yet given a reason for Jones' removal from the starting nine, but the team should offer some clarity shortly. In the meantime, Benny Montgomery will patrol left field and bat eighth.
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Valente Bellozo RP | COL
Marlins' Valente Bellozo: Favorite for rotation spot?
Bellozo has emerged as a leading candidate to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
A spot in Miami's rotation opened up once Ryan Weathers suffered a forearm strain Monday, and the reassignment of Janson Junk to minor-league camp Saturday puts Bellozo in a great position to make the Opening Day roster, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville himself last week. The 25-year-old righty started 13 games for the Marlins last season, finishing the campaign with a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. However, his 5.72 FIP indicates that his performance wasn't nearly as good as his base stats might suggest.
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Mike Soroka SP | ARI
Nationals' Michael Soroka: Stumbles in final spring outing
Soroka got tagged for six runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out three.
The 27-year-old righty won't head into the regular season with much momentum, but Soroka is still locked into a rotation spot for the Nationals. He wraps up his spring with a 7.47 ERA and 13:11 K:BB through 15.2 innings, and his breakout 2019 season with Atlanta is a long time, and multiple serious injuries, in Soroka's past.
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Brett Baty 3B | NYM
Mets' Brett Baty: Stays hot Friday
Baty went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The 25-year-old has been the most impressive hitter in camp for the Mets. Baty is batting .354 (17-for-48) through 18 spring appearances with six doubles, a triple and three homers, and he's shown improved defense as well as he splits time between second base and third base. Baty is expected to begin the season on the strong side of a platoon at the keystone with Luisangel Acuna while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf, but he'll need to do better than his career .607 OPS in the majors to retain a significant role.
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Tyson Miller RP | CHW
Cubs' Tyson Miller: Headed to injured list
Miller will begin the season on the injured list with a left hip impingement, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Miller had a tough time finding his footing on the mound this spring, finishing the Cactus League schedule with nine earned runs allowed over just 4.2 innings, though he managed to strike out seven batters in the process. He'll head to the IL to begin the 2025 campaign and may be relegated to a middle-relief role in the Cubs' bullpen once healthy.
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Connor Thomas RP | KC
Brewers' Connor Thomas: Claims spot in Milwaukee
Thomas will be part of the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The Brewers snagged Thomas from St. Louis in the Rule 5 draft, and the 26-year-old lefty has certainly made the most of the opportunity, giving up just two runs (one earned) in 9.1 innings this spring, striking out nine batters and walking five. He'll likely take on a middle-relief role to begin his tenure with the Brewers and will need to remain in Milwaukee all season; otherwise, he'll need to be offered back to the Cardinals.