MLB Player News

Tinoco gave up four runs on four hits, including two home runs, in one inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out one.

The 29-year-old right-hander is projected to split closing duties with Calvin Faucher to begin the season, but Tinoco did himself no favors with Thursday's outing as the long balls didn't exactly come against Houston's most dangerous bats -- Jake Meyers and Zack Short did the honors in the seventh inning. Tinoco has a rough 9.72 ERA and 7:5 K:BB through 8.1 Grapefruit League innings, but Faucher hasn't been much better this spring with an 8.10 ERA and 6:4 K:BB through 6.2 frames. The Marlins' closing picture could remain muddled well into the summer.

Meyer threw a simulated game on a back field Thursday as the Marlins prepare him for a role in the Opening Day rotation, Chuck King of MLB.com reports. "Max has been terrific," manager Clayton McCullough said. "He's in a great spot... It's just a chance to do it in a more controlled-type setting."

The young right-hander came into camp simply trying to win a rotation job, but since then Braxton Garrett (elbow), Edward Cabrera (finger) and Ryan Weathers (forearm) have all broken down, potentially positioning Meyer to start the second game of the season for the Marlins on March 28 against the Pirates. Meyer, the third overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, has yet to put things together in the majors, posting a 5.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB in 63 IP, but he's looked good this spring with an 8:2 K:BB and zero homers allowed in nine Grapefruit League innings.

Alcantara is expected to build up to 80-to-90 pitches while pitching in a minor-league game Friday, Chuck King of MLB.com reports.

It should be Alcantara's last outing of the spring before he takes mound for the Marlins on Opening Day. The right-hander has been impressive in camp in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 12.1 Grapefruit League innings, and if he shows he's back to something close to his Cy Young form, it might serve to increase the trade package Miami can get for him this summer.

Lee (back) will resume baseball activities Saturday and hopes to play in Sunday's exhibition game versus the Athletics, John Shea of The San Francisco Standard reports.

Lee hasn't played in more than a week due to a sore back but remains optimistic he'll be ready for Opening Day. It's not a given though, as the outfielder noted he will not rush things just to be available March 27. If Lee isn't ready for the start of the regular season, Grant McCray and Luis Matos are expected to handle center field duties.

Junk (back) gave up one run on one hit and two walks over 3.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros before leaving the game accompanied by a trainer. He struck out three.

The 29-year-old right-hander appears to be the next man up in the Marlins' rotation with Ryan Weathers (forearm) set to begin the season on the IL, and Junk got stretched out to 55 pitches (35 strikes) as he prepares for the role. His body may not have been ready for that increased workload, as per Chuck King of MLB.com, back spams forced him from the contest. He doesn't think the issue will linger, however. "Just kind of one of those weird over-extension things, and doing some treatment modalities and stuff, it already feels better," he said after the game. Miami will be Junk's fourth team in five years since he made his big-league debut in 2021, and his last name accurately reflects the lack of fantasy appeal in his arsenal -- he's got a 6.75 ERA and 34:11 K:BB over 40 career MLB innings.

The Reds reassigned La Sorsa to minor-league camp Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard reports.

La Sorsa tossed six scoreless innings and has displayed a major bump up in velocity this spring, sitting in the mid-90s after he averaged 90.7 mph during the 2024 season. It wasn't enough to make the Opening Day roster, but the lefty gives the Reds some relief depth at Triple-A Louisville.

Hampson exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Hampson remains in the running for a spot on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day bench, but triggering his opt-out clause now allows him to reach free agency if he does not make the team. The utility player is battling Ildemaro Vargas for Arizona's final bench spot.

Atlanta selected Neris' contract from Triple-A Gwinnet on Friday.

Neris has made just two Grapefruit League appearances after signing a minor-league contract earlier this month, but they were scoreless outings and he's now officially part of the Opening Day bullpen. The veteran reliever could eventually work his way into a setup role ahead of closer Raisel Iglesias.

Strider (elbow) will start Sunday's spring game against the Orioles and is scheduled to throw about 45-50 pitches, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

It'll be the second Grapefruit League appearance for Strider, who is nearing the end of his rehab from an internal brace procedure. The right-hander threw 27 pitches across 2.2 innings during his spring debut Monday, and he'll require at least a couple more outings after Sunday to ramp up his workload. Strider could be ready to join Atlanta's rotation in mid-April.

Atlanta selected De Los Santos' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

De Los Santos earned a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen by permitting only two runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 6.2 Grapefruit League innings. The 29-year-old right-hander is likely to operation in low-leverage situations initially.