MLB Player News

Smith has a 0.00 ERA and 5:1 K:BB through 4.2 Grapefruit League innings and will be part of the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old right-hander has been a dependable arm for New York the last two seasons, posting a 3.78 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 113:44 K:BB over 102.1 innings with seven wins and 26 holds. Smith should be part of the middle-innings bridge to closer Edwin Diaz.

Ramirez's impressive spring has him in the running for the final spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Picked up from the White Sox in December, Ramirez has posted a 0.00 ERA over eight Grapefruit League innings with an 8:1 K:BB, and his power sinker has caught the attention of scouts. The 28-year-old right-hander's main competition for the last spot in the bullpen appears to be Michael Tonkin, but both pitchers could survive final cuts if Sean Red-Foley (arm) needs an IL stint to begin the season. Phil Bickford and Shintaro Fujinami are also in the mix for those relief jobs, but the latter has minor-league options remaining and the former hasn't been as sharp in camp as either Ramirez or Tonkin.

Tonkin has a 0.00 ERA through 5.1 Grapefruit League innings with a 6:2 K:BB, but he isn't guaranteed a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The 34-year-old right-hander revived his career with Atlanta in 2023 as a long reliever, and he signed a $1 million split contract with New York in December. Tonkin's primary competition for the final spot in the Mets' bullpen is Yohan Ramirez, but both pitchers could make the initial roster if Sean Reid-Foley (arm) has to begin the year on IL. Phil Bickford and Shintaro Fujinami are also in the mix for the final two spots, but the latter has minor-league options remaining and the former hasn't been as impressive in camp.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Gray (hamstring) could make his season debut during the Cardinals' season-opening road trip, which runs from March 28 through April 3, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gray will pitch two innings in a minor-league game Friday, and the Cardinals could have a better idea as to a potential timetable for the right-hander after that. While his hamstring injury will prevent him from being ready for the March 28 season opener in Los Angeles, Gray could avoid a stint on the injured list and make a start within the first week. After the Opening Day contest, the Cardinals play three more games against the Dodgers and then head to San Diego for a three-game set that kicks off April 1.

Scott didn't allow a run over two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets without recording a walk or a strikeout.

The southpaw had a terrible start to his spring, issuing seven free passes over his first four Grapefruit League appearances and lasting just 1.2 innings, but Scott seems to have turned a corner with his control. Over his last three games, he has a 1:0 K:BB in 2.2 innings while throwing 17 of 23 pitches for strikes. After posting career-best ratios in 2023 (2.31 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) and converting 10 of 12 save chances after taking over the closer role in late August, Scott is still the favorite to handle ninth-inning duties for Miami this season.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Rom has taken a step back from throwing recently due to a left biceps issue, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

He hasn't been fully shut down, but the injury helps explain why Rom hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance in nearly a week. Once healthy, the left-hander is slated to open the season in Triple-A Memphis' rotation.

Peterson (hip) began throwing bullpen sessions in March and is hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible May 27, MLB.com reports.

After undergoing surgery Nov. 6 to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, Peterson was projected to require 6-to-7 months of recovery time, so the Mets felt comfortable stashing him on the 60-day IL to begin the season to clear up a 40-man roster spot for another player. Peterson won't be ready to pitch in games at any point this spring, but he seems to be making steady progress in his recovery from hip surgery. Now that he's reached the point in his rehab where he's throwing bullpen sessions, Peterson could soon face hitters in live batting practice sessions and simulated games. After that, Peterson would then likely be sent out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to build back up to a starter's workload.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Crawford (hand) is aiming to return to game action this weekend, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Crawford hasn't played since being hit on the hand/wrist area by a pitch Sunday, but his return to the Grapefruit League lineup looks to be imminent. The 37-year-old is slated to back up Masyn Winn at shortstop for the Cardinals this season.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Senga (shoulder) will begin throwing within the next week, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Senga was cleared to begin activities following an MRI and a visit with doctors Tuesday. Once the right-hander passes the necessary strength tests, he will begin throwing. Healey reports that Senga's ramp-up will likely take "at least" six weeks, so a return to the Mets rotation probably won't come until sometime in May, if not later. Senga is working his way back from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder.

Suarez recorded the final four outs of Thursday's 15-11 win over the Dodgers in South Korea to earn his first save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out two batters.

Suarez's wild pitch and subsequent single allowed to Mookie Betts in the eighth inning brought the Dodgers to within one run, but San Diego gave the right-hander some extra cushion the next half inning, and Suarez bounced back with a 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the ninth. Padres manager Mike Shildt had declined to name a closer in spring training, but the team's beat writers pointed to Suarez being the most likely candidate to close. Yuki Matsui pitched in the sixth inning Wednesday in his major-league debut.