MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Hernandez had a solid spring, surrendering one run over six innings while striking out nine batters and walking six, but he will ultimately miss out on the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. Hernandez only has 5.1 innings of Triple-A experience, so sending him back to the minors to continue developing could be beneficial after his unimpressive rookie campaign in 2023.

The Pirates optioned Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Peguero entered spring camp as the Pirates' likely Opening Day second baseman, but he will instead head to the minors after going 7-for-26 with three RBI. With the 23-year-old in Triple-A, Jared Triolo figures to take over at second base, but Peguero could reclaim his spot if he gets off to a fast start in Indianapolis.

Junis didn't pitch as scheduled Friday due to a shoulder injury, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Manager Pat Murphy said the team doesn't believe Junis' injury to be serious, but the Brewers will likely play it safe with the right-hander. Junis has posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 10.2 innings this spring, but his chances at making Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation increased significantly after the Brewers optioned Aaron Ashby to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Hoffman struck out the side against the Tigers on Friday and now has a 10:2 K:BB in 7.2 scoreless innings this spring.

After struggling as a swingman with the Rockies and Reds for most of his career, Hoffman suddenly emerged as a shutdown reliever for the Phillies last season. He finished the year with a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 52.1 innings. If his spring numbers are any indication, he's on track for a similar performance this season. That could earn him a handful of saves if the Phillies go with a closer committee, which manager Rob Thomson has favored in the past.

Major League Baseball issued a statement Friday announcing that its Department of Investigations has begun the formal process of investigating the matter involving Ohtani and his longtime interpreter. "Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter."

Ohtani's interpreter was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday and Ohtani's camp is accusing Mizuhara of using the player's money to place bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker. While it was reported Thursday that Ohtani was not under investigation by the league, the commissioner's office has since decided this matter warrants a closer look. There is a lot about the situation that is uncertain and that uncertainty will likely alter Ohtani's fantasy draft positioning over the rest of March.

Bart left Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs due to a hamstring injury, Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports reports.

Bart had one at-bat in Friday's game before being lifted for a pinch hitter, and the severity of the hamstring injury isn't yet known. He has slashed .407/.514/.444 with five RBI over 35 plate appearances in spring training.

Steele suffered a left knee contusion during Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The southpaw was hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of Luis Matos during the second inning of Friday's contest, but it seems Steele managed to escape without any serious injuries. It remains to be seen whether he'll start as scheduled Opening Day, but a trip to the injured list appears unlikely. Steele has allowed six earned runs across 11 innings this spring while striking out 13 batters and walking two.

Nootbaar (ribs) will begin the season on the injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

This was always the likely outcome, but the Cardinals didn't make it official until now. Nootbaar is making progress in his recovery from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage and the hope remains that he won't have to miss too much time. A more specific timeline for his return has not been revealed, however. The Cards are likely to use a combination of Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan in left field while Nootbaar is out, with Dylan Carlson also a possibility if Victor Scott makes the Opening Day roster as the starting center fielder.

Steele was removed from Friday's Cactus League start versus the Giants after being hit in the left knee by a comebacker, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Steele stayed down on the ground for a bit after being struck by a ball off the bat of Luis Matos before eventually walking off the field with a limp. It's not clear at this point whether the southpaw will need to undergo any testing. Steele was making his final tune-up start before his scheduled Opening Day assignment March 28 against the Rangers.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that Liberatore will work out of the bullpen to begin the season, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 24-year-old was attempting to win a spot in St. Louis' season-opening rotation, but Zack Thompson will instead fill in while Sonny Gray (hamstring) is on the injured list. Liberatore started in 11 of his 22 big-league appearances last season and could work as a swingman again in 2024.