MLB Player News

Cobb (hip) will throw 40 pitches in a minor-league game Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

He had been slated for his Cactus League debut Friday, but the Giants have elected to have Cobb throw in a more controlled setting instead. A stint on the injured list to begin the season is still expected for the veteran right-hander, but it's looking like he could be ready by mid-April.

The Diamondbacks optioned Smith to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Smith didn't hit much this spring and had minor-league options remaining, so he finds himself on the outside looking in for an Opening Day roster spot. The 28-year-old should play regularly at Reno between first base and the outfield.

The Diamondbacks optioned Saalfrank to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Saalfrank had a key role down the stretch for the Diamondbacks last season, but he had minor-league options remaining and that might have worked against him. The southpaw will likely to spend plenty of time in Arizona's bullpen this season.

Vientos could serve as the Mets' starter at designated hitter to begin the season if J.D. Martinez agrees to be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Martinez would need to consent to being optioned since he's accrued so much service time, but it sounds like he would be willing to do so in an effort to get up to game speed as quickly as possible. The move would allow Vientos at least a short-term run of everyday playing time. When Martinez is deemed ready, Vientos could be looking at a short-side platoon role at third base or a trip back to Syracuse.

Martinez could consent to being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse until the Mets decide he's ready to take over as their everyday designated hitter, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

While Martinez has options remaining, because he has accrued so much service time he would have to consent to being sent down to the minors. It sounds like he would be willing to do that in an effort to get up to speed after missing most (if not all) of spring training. Mark Vientos -- who appears out of a job once Martinez is ready -- could be used as the Mets' DH initially.

The Phillies optioned Wilson (hand) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Wilson exited Thursday's Grapefruit League game after being hit by a pitch on the left hand, and he'll make his way to minor-league camp a day later. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, though the 29-year-old was scheduled to undergo an X-ray.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Matos could make the Opening Day roster as Austin Slater is still having elbow issues, Brian Murphy of KNBR 680 reports.

The signing of Jorge Soler seemed to put Matos out of a starting job and roster spot. However, with Slater out indefinitely, the Giants need another outfielder and Matos is at the top of the list. The 22-year-old has been terrific this spring, putting up a 1.013 OPS with four home runs. Matos would figure to be limited to a short-side platoon initially but could play his way into a larger role.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Slater had "a little setback" with his right elbow and might not make the Opening Day roster, Brian Murphy of KNBR 680 reports.

Slater had offseason surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow. While he didn't have any restrictions during spring training, he evidently felt something in the elbow recently that has the Giants hitting the pause button. With Slater looking iffy for the Opening Day roster, it could clear a spot for Luis Matos.

Scott is not included in the Cardinals' Opening Day roster projection by Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Scott entered camp with seemingly little-to-no shot to make the team, but his performance (.316/.409/.368, four steals) combined with injuries to Tommy Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) have put him very much in the conversation. However, with Dylan Carlson also having a good spring and Nootbaar not expected to miss much time, the Cards figure to stick to the original plan and give Scott more seasoning in the minors. The speedy fifth-round pick in 2022 stole 94 bases between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield last year, and if he indeed doesn't crack St. Louis' Opening Day roster, he would be in line to begin 2024 at Triple-A Memphis.

Wood hit an opposite-field, game-tying home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Twins.

The icing on the cake was that the long ball was off a lefty hurler, minor-leaguer Denny Bentley. Wood now has four home runs this spring, though Thursday's was his first since the calendar flipped to March. Manager Dave Martinez praised both Wood and Dylan Crews after the game, saying the prospects are "not afraid of the big moment," per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. The 21-year-old Wood has not played above Double-A and still seems like a long shot to make the team, but the fact that he's still in big-league camp shows the organization is optimistic about his future and thinks he can contribute soon.