MLB Player News

The Cardinals declined overtures from teams overseas this offseason that wanted to acquire Baker's rights, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Goold says the Cardinals see Baker as being able to contribute as a right-handed batter off the bench and decided to keep him in that role instead. Baker will turn 28 soon and has topped 30 home runs each of the last two seasons at Triple-A Memphis, so there's nothing left for him to prove in the minors. However, it would probably take an injury or two for him to see regular at-bats with the Cardinals this season.

Gallen allowed two hits while striking out three over two scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

Gallen told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that he felt better about his second Cactus League outing than in his previous start or sessions on the backfield. "Delivery felt solid, felt I had some good leverage, was able to locate pretty good," the right-hander said. He talked about not flying out too early and holding his tension until the end when releasing pitches. "That's when I feel like everything is synced up," Gallen added.

McGreevy struck out a pair in two perfect frames this past week against the Yankees in his spring debut.

All six batters McGreevy faced were projected regulars for the Yankees, and he disposed of them efficiently, needing just 21 pitches to cruise through his two frames. Steven Matz appears to be McGreevy's biggest competition for a spot in the Cardinals' rotation, and Matz also tossed two scoreless innings in his first Grapefruit League start. A trade of either Matz or Erick Fedde would figure to secure McGreevy's spot.

Sweet (triceps) threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Saturday's spring training loss to Detroit. He's thrown 1.2 scoreless innings this spring with no walks and one strikeout.

Sweet left Tuesday's game after being struck in the right triceps by a line drive, but he looks back to full speed. Sweet spent the entire 2024 regular season with Triple-A Toledo. Across 52 outings (four starts), he posted a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 111:38 K:BB across 76 innings. He's competing for a final bullpen spot this spring.

Romano threw a scoreless inning in his spring debut Thursday and was throwing from 96-to-98 mph with his fastball, NBC Philadelphia reports. "I hadn't faced an opposing team since May. It was nice to get all the nerves and excitement out," Romano said. "Felt like it went pretty well for the first one. Arm felt good, body felt good."

Romano was limited to just 15 appearances in 2024 due to a right elbow issue which eventually required surgery, and he allowed 10 runs across 13.2 innings in those appearances. If he can show he's back to full speed this spring, he has a chance to become the primary closer for Philadelphia, but the Phillies have mixed and matched relievers for save chances the past few seasons.

Wisely is battling Casey Schmitt, Osleivis Basabe, Jake Lamb and Christian Koss for a utility role this spring, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wisley is off to a strong start in spring training by hitting .462 (6-for-13) in seven games. He's likely behind Schmitt for the utility role, but the Giants may keep two backup infielders on the active roster.

Schmitt went 2-for-3 in Saturday's spring game and is hitting .222 with a .722 OPS in six games. He's battling Brett Wisely, Osleivis Basabe, Jake Lamb and Christian Koss for a utility role this spring, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt is likely the favorite and the Giants could keep two backup infielders on the roster. Schmitt hit .252 with six homers and a .760 OPS with the Giants last season. Schmitt may have the best glove of the group at third base which could help his case.

Koss has a chance to win a utility role with the Giants this spring, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's spring game. "He's continuing to impress, and he hit a ball down the line for a double and he's playing with a lot of confidence," said manager Bob Melvin. "We're giving him some reps right now. It's nice to see because we're putting an emphasis on defense and he's played great defense every place we've put him."

Koss is hitting .333 (4-for-12) with a home run in eight games this spring. He's a long shot but the final bench spot appears wide open for the Giants early this spring. Koss had just a .757 OPS at Triple-A last year (54 games) and hasn't been regarded as a top prospect (he's 27 years old), but his glove could help him find a way on to the roster.

Garcia was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins with an illness, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia showed up to the ballpark Saturday with a sore throat and fever and was sent home. Expect Garcia to be shelved for a couple days, but it doesn't appear to be any sort of long-term issue for the Nationals' second baseman. Darren Baker stepped into Saturday's lineup in place of Garcia.

Kelly signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

After a long stint in the Korea Baseball Organization with the LG Twins, Kelly returned stateside last summer, linking up with the Reds on a minor-league deal. He was quickly moved up to the big-league roster and made a pair of appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen, registering a 5.06 ERA and 4:1 K:BB across 5.1 innings. The 35-year-old will report to Triple-A Reno with his new organization and will look to impress early on during the minor-league season with the hope of getting a promotion to Arizona.