MLB Player News

The Marlins designated Martinez for assignment Thursday.

Martinez was claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks last Thursday, and after just a week with the Marlins he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Brett de Geus, who was picked up off waivers from Pittsburgh. Martinez finished last season with a 3.59 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 52.2 regular-season innings with the Astros, so there could still be several teams willing to give him a spot on their 40-man instead.

Miami claimed de Geus off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

De Geus was designated for assignment by the Marlins in September and was also with the Blue Jays during the offseason before being traded to the Pirates. He made 13 big-league appearances last year and had a 7.15 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings. In a corresponding move, Miami designated Seth Martinez for assignment.

Harper (triceps) will return to the Phillies' lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper exited Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays after being hit on the right triceps by a pitch, but the exit was precautionary. He had a scheduled day off Thursday and will be back in there Friday.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Wood (quad) will serve as the team's designated hitter during Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It will be Wood's Grapefruit League debut, as he's been slow played so far this spring while battling left quad tendinitis. If Wood gets through Friday's contest with no issues, the Nationals will then decide whether he's ready to play left field in a game.

Phillips (shoulder) threw his third bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Phillips has already ruled himself out for the Dodgers' first two games of the season March 18 and 19 in Tokyo versus the Cubs, but the right-handed reliever may still have a chance of being ready to go for the March 27 domestic opener versus the Tigers if he experiences no setbacks during the ramp-up process. Though he led the Dodgers with 18 saves in 2024, Phillips will likely find himself at least a couple rungs lower in the bullpen pecking order during the upcoming season after Los Angeles added two other pitchers with more closing experience (Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates) in free agency.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Cease will make his first Cactus League start Friday versus the Mariners, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Through their first seven Cactus League games, the Padres haven't used any of their presumed four locks for the season-opening rotation, but that streak will end Friday when Cease takes the mound. The right-hander is likely the leading candidate to get the Opening Day nod for the Padres after he submitted a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 224:65 K:BB in 189.1 regular-season innings during his inaugural campaign in San Diego in 2024. Though Cease's name has popped up in trade rumors this offseason amid an ownership shakeup in San Diego, a move elsewhere doesn't appear imminent and may not be revisited until closer to the trade deadline.

Atlanta reassigned Suero to minor-league camp Thursday.

Suero was competing for a spot in Atlanta's bullpen after posting a 2.66 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 67.2 innings with Houston's Triple-A affiliate last year. However, he gave up two earned runs over two innings in the Grapefruit League and will now head to Gwinnett to begin the 2025 campaign.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Winder will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Winder signed with Arizona on a minor-league deal in January and made one appearance this spring, allowing two earned runs over 1.2 innings. However, his upcoming surgery will ensure he misses the entire 2025 season and likely the first half of 2026.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Vieira (elbow/knee/shoulder) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vieira reported soreness in his knee, shoulder and elbow Monday -- the last of which seems to be the most severe, as it will require him to undergo Tommy John surgery. The operation will force him to miss the entire 2025 season, and he likely won't be cleared for game action until mid-2026.

Gonsolin has pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out three batters, over two appearances in Cactus League play.

Gonsolin missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he appears back to full health this spring. The right-hander was super efficient in his most recent appearance Wednesday, needing just 13 pitches -- all of which were strikes -- to retire six batters. Gonsolin is a candidate to open the regular season as the Dodgers' fifth starter.