MLB Player News

Woodruff (shoulder) threw two innings in a minor-league spring game Friday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said the 32-year-old righty's fastball reached 95 mph Friday -- a tick up from the 94 mph he achieved during his one-inning Cactus League appearance March 10. The plan is for Woodruff to travel with the team to New York for its first regular-season series and throw an extended bullpen session. After that, he'll head back to Milwaukee to play in a sim game before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Martinez signed a five-year, $18 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks on Friday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

In addition to covering him for 2025, Martinez's new deal will buy out his three arbitration years and includes club options for 2030 and 2031, giving him immediate financial security while the Diamondbacks get their young, hard-throwing reliever locked into a team-friendly deal. Martinez turned in a 2.48 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 91 strikeouts over 72.2 innings during his first full season in the majors last year, though it's still unknown if he, A.J. Puk or Kevin Ginkel will be the preferred ninth-inning option once the regular season begins.

Encarnacion was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against Cleveland due to an apparent hand injury, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Encarnacion injured his hand while diving for a ball in the outfield. The severity of his injury isn't immediately clear, but the Giants should offer some more information once they're able to take a closer look at him.

Waldron (oblique) has yet to resume throwing, per MLB.com.

Waldron is dealing with a mild left oblique strain and is expected to begin the campaign on the injured list. He had been competing for the Padres' fifth-starter role this spring, though he struggled with an 8.68 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB over 9.1 Cactus League innings before getting hurt. With both Waldron and Yu Darvish (elbow) likely unavailable at the start of the season, Randy Vasquez, Stephen Kolek and Kyle Hart are battling to fill San Diego's two available rotation slots.

The Nationals optioned Millas to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

After going just 1-for-18 with six strikeouts this spring, Millas is now out of the race for the backup catcher job in Washington, leaving Riley Adams and Andrew Knizner as the remaining candidates. Millas turned in an .879 OPS in 241 Triple-A plate appearances last season, and he may get another shot in the majors if he can replicate his past performance.

The Nationals optioned Nunez to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Nunez turned heads in Nationals camp with a .419/.486/.484 slash line through 35 plate appearances and seemed to be making a real push for the Opening Day roster. He'll instead begin the season in Triple-A, which will allow the 24-year-old infielder to continue developing while playing every day -- something he wouldn't have been able to do in Washington.

The Nationals optioned Herz to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Herz will miss the cut for Washington's Opening Day rotation and wrap up Grapefruit League play with nine runs allowed (seven earned) over 9.2 innings. The 24-year-old southpaw posted a 4.16 ERA across 19 starts with the big club last season, and if he's able to return to form in Triple-A, he could rejoin the Nationals at some point this summer.

The Nationals optioned Ogasawara to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Ogasawara's transition from Japan to the U.S. hasn't gone as well as he probably had hoped. In five Grapefruit League games, the 27-year-old lefty allowed 19 runs (15 earned) in 12 innings while striking out 10 batters and walking eight. He'll now head to the minors as a result of his rough start, and it may be a while before he's ready to face MLB hitters.

Scott socked a solo home run, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs Friday versus the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

The home run was Scott's fourth of the spring, which ties him for the team lead. He's also stolen five bases while collecting a 9:8 K:BB. Scott has done all he can to secure the Cardinals' center field job, but it remains possible that he begins the year back at Triple-A Memphis. Michael Siani and Lars Nootbaar are also in the running for reps in center field with St. Louis.

The Diamondbacks optioned Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Del Castillo missed out on Arizona's Opening Day roster after going 3-for-24 with 12 strikeouts in nine spring games. The 25-year-old could still see the big leagues at some point this season but isn't likely to see much playing time if Gabriel Moreno stays healthy.