MLB Player News

Gray (hamstring) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Depending on how Gray comes out of the session, he's expected to then advance to either live batting practice or a game. The veteran right-hander has made a quick recovery from his mild right hamstring strain and might have an outside shot to be ready for his first start of the season, though a short stint on the injured list still seems more likely than not.

Perez was pulled from Wednesday's start against the Nationals with an apparent recurrence of the broken nail on his right middle finger, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The nail has been an ongoing issue for Perez since the beginning of camp. While the potential for a long-term absence seems minimal, it's certainly a concern that the issue continues to linger. The Marlins should have more on Perez's condition following Wednesday's game.

The Giants optioned Meckler to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Meckler finds himself out of the mix for an Opening Day roster spot even after going 11-for-26 with nine RBI and three stolen bases over 13 Cactus League games. He'll play all three outfield spots at Sacramento and will wait for an opportunity with the big club to arise.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Bailey (hand) will be unavailable to play for a few days, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey avoided any fractures when he took a foul ball off his right hand in Cactus League action Tuesday, but he's dealing with some swelling and discoloration and is unable to make a fist. He'll undergo treatment and will rest a bit before returning to spring games.

Pauley has been told he will be on the Padres' roster for their March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pauley seems likely to start at third base while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter, at least against right-handed pitching. When Machado might be ready to play the field in games again isn't clear, but Pauley will have a chance until then to show he deserves to stick around. The 23-year-old slashed .308/.393/.539 with 23 home runs and 22 stolen bases over three minor-league levels in 2023 and should be on deep-league radars.

The Reds reassigned Capel to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Capel logged 86 plate appearances at the big-league level with the Athletics in 2023, but he stood little chance of making the Reds' Opening Day roster in light of the organization's ample outfield depth. The 26-year-old is expected to head to Triple-A Louisville to begin the upcoming season.

The Reds reassigned Mathias on Wednesday.

Mathias had been vying for a utility gig on the Reds' Opening Day roster but didn't make a hard charge for a spot, as he went 0-for-5 in Cactus League play before being sent to minor-league camp in the latest round of cuts. If Mathias sticks around in the organization through the start of the minor-league season, he'll report to Triple-A Louisville.

Lux (illness) will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Lux was away from camp Tuesday while he battled an illness, but he presumably made a full recovery from the ailment overnight. He'll return to the lineup at the keystone, the position he's expected to occupy this season after defensive concerns prompted the Dodgers to move him off of shortstop earlier in spring training.

The Reds optioned Thompson to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Thompson has slashed .353/.421/.471 this spring but wasn't able to break into the Reds' crowded outfield. He'll play regularly at Louisville, with most of those starts likely to come in center field.

Harvey struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings of relief in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The right-hander set career highs with 57 appearances and 60.2 innings in a mostly heathy 2023, and Harvey responded with a 2.82 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 28.5 percent strikeout rate to go along with 10 saves and 19 holds. He's looked just as dominant this spring, posting a 9:1 K:BB through 5.1 innings, and he's on track for a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen that could see him take over full-time closing duties at some point rather than sharing the ninth inning with Kyle Finnegan.