MLB Player News

Gallen allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against San Diego.

Gallen, who made his second Cactus League start, didn't get the results he wanted, but the right-hander told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that he was he was more focused on fine-tuning his fastball and curveball. All but four of his 45 pitches consisted of one of those two offerings. In two spring starts, Gallen has allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings.

Martin (lat) allowed one hit and struck one over one scoreless inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Martin pitched in a game for the first time since last spring. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a tear in the lat tendon of his right shoulder. The right-hander may not have enough time to be ready for the start of the season, but Martin's performance Tuesday suggests he'll get an opportunity to contribute for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2024.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that Merrill will travel with the team to South Korea for the team's season-opening Seoul Series against the Dodgers on March 20 and 21, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

After Merrill slugged his second home run of Cactus League play Tuesday, Shildt announced that the 20-year-old will be part of the major-league squad to begin the season, at least for the two-game set in South Korea. The skipper stopped short of naming Merrill the Padres' starting center fielder, but he strongly hinted at the youngster having some runway to show what he can do. "He's earned his way on the plane [to Korea]," Shildt said. "He's earned what's coming after the plane." Merrill has yet to play above the Double-A level and will still need to be officially added to the 40-man roster.

Merrill went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

For the second day in a row, Merrill went yard, this time against Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen. The 20-year-old Merrill is now up to a .995 OPS this spring. While he has yet to play above the Double-A level, Merrill is very much in the running to make the Opening Day roster as the Padres' starting center fielder. Widely considered a top prospect in the organization, Merrill combined for 15 homers and 15 steals in 114 games between High-A and Double-A last season.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed Tuesday that Turang will be the club's starting second baseman Opening Day against the Mets, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 24-year-old worked as Milwaukee's primary second baseman last season and produced plus-12 defensive runs saved, but he underwhelmed offensively with a .218/.285/.300 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI and 46 runs in 448 plate appearances. Turang did steal 26 bases in 30 attempts, so he could have some limited fantasy utility in deeper leagues.

Peralta (elbow) is batting eighth as the designated hitter in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

The veteran outfielder joined the Cubs as a non-roster invitee in February but had been held out of game action to this point as he completed his rehab from October flexor tendon surgery. Peralta struggled a .675 OPS in 133 games with the Dodgers last season and is attempting to making Chicago's roster as a reserve outfielder.

The Nationals optioned Brzykcy (elbow) to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Brzykcy will head back to the minors after surrendering nine runs across 18 innings during spring training while striking out 18 batters and walking nine. The 24-year-old righty was dominant in Double-A in 2022 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 38 frames and didn't allow a run in two Triple-A appearances upon being promoted at the end of the year. However, a forearm strain cost him the entire 2023 campaign, and Brzykcy underwent Tommy John surgery in June to address the issue. If Brzykcy is able to return to his 2022 form at Rochester once he fully recovers from his procedure, he could be a candidate to join Washington's bullpen at some point this season.

Bailey was removed from Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers due to a right hand contusion, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The severity of Bailey's injury is unclear, but he may sit out the Giants' next several spring training games as a result. The 24-year-old backstop is 2-for-11 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored across five games this spring and figures to serve as San Francisco's main catcher during the regular season.

The Pirates optioned Cheng to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday.

Cheng earned a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster earlier this offseason but was always destined to return to the minors to begin 2024. The 22-year-old is probably another year or so away from reaching the big leagues.

The Pirates optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Smith-Njigba has popped three home runs during Grapefruit League play but nonetheless finds himself sent to minor-league camp. The 24-year-old briefly landed with the Mariners this offseason via waivers before finding his way back to the Pirates.