MLB Player News

Hall started Friday's Cactus League contest and gave up two earned runs over two innings while allowing five hits and posting a 3:1 K:BB.

Hall was not as sharp as he was in his two-inning spring debut Sunday in which he did not allow a hit, but he did minimize the damage to some degree. The Brewers have not yet decided which pitchers will break camp in the rotation, but with Hall going two innings in both appearances to date and throwing 42 pitches Friday, it appears he is getting the opportunity to claim one of the open starting spots.

The Pirates optioned Burrows (elbow) to the minor leagues Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Burrows had his 2023 season cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery in late April. The right-hander will start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way up to the majors.

Waldrep was reassigned to minor-league camp by Atlanta on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Waldrep had an impressive spring debut March 3, when he pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The 24th overall pick in the 2023 Draft could make his major-league debut this season if he pitches well in the minors.

Kloffenstein was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Kloffenstein earned a spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster after registering an impressive 3.16 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB over 128 innings in 2023 between Double-A and Triple-A. If Kloffenstein is effective with Memphis early in the season, he could see some time in the majors in 2024.

Manager Dave Roberts said Lux will primarily play second base with Mookie Betts handling shortstop, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

That's the alignment for Friday's spring game against the Reds, and Roberts described the positioning as "permanent, for now." Lux experienced some troubles throwing the ball from shortstop during spring action, and the Dodgers decided they had seen enough. The 26-year-old should still see plenty of playing time at the keystone, though he may sit against some left-handed pitchers.

Gurriel did not require X-rays after exiting Friday's game versus the Cubs following a hit by pitch on the left hand, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Gurriel looked to be in plenty of pain after being struck by a Kyle Hendricks offering, but he said after the game that he feels fine. Consider the outfielder day-to-day.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Betts will be the team's shortstop moving forward, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Roberts referred to the move as "permanent, for now." Betts and Gavin Lux are flip-flopping infield positions due to the latter's defensive issues at shortstop. Betts did start 12 games at shortstop last season, so the position isn't totally foreign to him, but he's been an outfielder for the overwhelming majority of his career so asking him to become a full-time shortstop at 31 years old is ambitious. For fantasy purposes, Betts will pick up a third position of eligibility early on this season.

Kim (back) is starting at shortstop and batting fifth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Kim has been sidelined by back spasms the past few days but is ready to retake the field for Friday's contest. The 28-year-old is shifting to shortstop this season after winning a Gold Glove at second base for the Padres in 2023.

Marte was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the joint drug prevention and treatment program, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Marte tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone and now will be ineligible to play until well into June. The 22-year-old had been the favorite to be the Reds' Opening Day third baseman after slashing .316/.366/.456 in 35 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. Jeimer Candelario now figures to see most of his playing time at third base, while Christian Encarnacion-Strand should settle into more at-bats at first base. The Reds could also opt to use Spencer Steer more often on the infield.

Padres manager Mike Shildt told 97.3 The Fan this week that "there is a possibility" Matsui (back) will be ready for San Diego's opening regular-season series in South Korea.

Matsui hurt his back near the end of February, and a subsequent MRI revealed inflammation. The Japanese reliever was able to work up to throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, and he felt well enough to toss 30 pitches after initially being scheduled for 20, though he didn't throw at full effort, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Matsui said after the session that he wasn't sure if he'd be ready to pitch in San Diego's opening regular-season game March 20, stating, "I need to go out there and throw 100 percent. I just want to see how I feel tomorrow and how the body responds." Shildt offered a similar sentiment the following day and said the team would subsequently be assessing Matsui's next step. While the manager expressed some optimism about the southpaw's potential to be ready to pitch in the Seoul Series, he was also clear that the issue is still hazy, explaining, "It's too early to say...with any weight to it."