MLB Player News

Mauricio (knee) will remain in St. Lucie for extended spring training when the Mets break camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old hasn't had a setback in his recovery from the knee surgery that cost him the entire 2024 campaign, but the organization is being cautious with a player it still considers to be a key piece of the future. Mauricio should eventually work his way up to Triple-A Syracuse once the training staff is confident he's 100 percent, and he could be part of the puzzle at second base for the Mets later this season. Over 26 games in 2023 in his MLB debut, Mauricio posted a .248/.296/.347 slash line, hit two homers while going 7-for-7 on steal attempts, and registered an eye-popping exit velocity of 117.3 mph on his first career hit.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Jones has already had imaging on his sore right elbow and is waiting on a second opinion, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

A second opinion on an injury typically isn't sought out if the first opinion is favorable, so the news is less than ideal. However, Tomczyk added that "I don't want to be an alarmist" and was quick to point out that the team is still in the information-gathering stage. Jones will not pitch again during spring training and a stint on the injured list is highly likely, but the bigger concern here is if the right-hander needs surgery. More on Jones' status should be known in the coming days.

Nunez struck out one in a scoreless inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The right-hander was brought along slowly in camp after arm trouble derailed his second half in 2024, but Nunez looked just about ready for Opening Day in his first game action of the spring Monday. He needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through some Tampa Bay minor-league hitters in the seventh inning, and per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Nunez topped out at 98 mph with his fastball. "I was very grateful to get back out there," Nunez said through an interpreter after the game. "I feel healthy, I feel strong. I'm trying to avoid having any setbacks... I'm just trying to continue to push forward." Nunez was a breakout bullpen star in the first half of last season, and he finished the campaign with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB through his first 35 big-league innings. If he can stay on the mound, the 28-year-old could be a key setup man for Edwin Diaz in 2025.

Gillispie allowed one run on two hits and two walks over four innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 27-year-old right-hander built up to 51 pitches (26 strikes) as he looks to secure the spot in the Marlins' rotation created with Edward Cabrera (blister) set to begin the season on the IL. Gillispie made his big-league debut with the Guardians in 2024, working eight innings over three relief appearances with a 2.25 ERA and 8:5 K:BB, and his numbers at Triple-A also showed a bit of promise as he struck out 119 batters in 113.1 innings for Columbus. Pitching for Miami won't provide Gillispie with much fantasy appeal, but he could be worth a dart throw in NL-only formats.

The Dodgers optioned Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Outman was included on the Dodgers' season-opening 26-man active roster for the club's two-game set in Tokyo versus the Cubs this week, but he didn't appear in either contest. The 27-year-old functioned as the team's fourth outfielder in Japan, but since utility men Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez are all capable of playing both the infield and outfield, the Dodgers should be able to get by without Outman.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Knack struck out three over two scoreless innings and picked up a win in Wednesday's victory over the Cubs in the second game of the Tokyo Series. However, it appears he will not be included on the Dodgers' roster for their domestic opener. Knack should operate as a starter with Oklahoma City but could rejoin the Dodgers later in the season either in the rotation or bullpen.

Bender has a spot secure on the Marlins' Opening Day roster but will likely begin the season in a setup role, with Calvin Faucher and Jesus Tinoco getting the first closing opportunities.

Neither Faucher nor Tinoco are proven commodities in the ninth inning, so if they both struggle, Bender could get a look as the closer later in the year. The right-hander has posted an 8:2 K:BB through 7.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring as he looks to build on a 2024 campaign that saw his record a career-high 15 holds along with a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB through 53 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Sauer was included on the Dodgers' Tokyo Series roster, but he didn't make an appearance in either game versus the Cubs and will not be part of the active roster for his team's domestic opener. The 26-year-old will be used in Oklahoma City's bullpen.

The Rockies reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Though he's just 28 years old and has three double-digit home-run seasons on his resume at the MLB level, Hiura's high strikeout rates and lack of defensive flexibility have made it difficult for him to stick in the big leagues over the past two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level and settled for a minor-league deal with the Rockies this winter upon reaching free agency. Hiura hit just .167 and struck out in nine of his 18 at-bats in Cactus League play, so his dismissal from big-league camp comes as little surprise. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Hicks is expected to begin the season as the Marlins' backup catcher behind Nick Fortes, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

That's no real surprise, especially after top prospect Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks, a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers' system, has shown some good plate discipline with a 5:5 BB:K in 11 Grapefruit League appearances this spring, but he's batting just .227 (5-for-22) with a double as his only extra-base hit. The Marlins remain in a seemingly never-ending rebuild, so Hicks will likely get as much playing time as he shows he can handle until Ramirez pushes his way onto the big-league roster.