MLB Player News

Pages was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Pages had a strong spring with the Dodgers, going 6-for-15 with two homers, eight RBI and seven runs scored while striking out five times over six games. The outfielder is one of the top candidates to earn a call-up to the major-league roster early in the 2024 season.

Cartaya (back) was optioned to Double-A Tulsa on Sunday.

Cartaya didn't appear in any contests in the Cactus League due to a back injury, and he'll now shift his focus to being ready for the MiLB season. The catcher had a disappointing 2023 campaign, recording a .189/.278/.377 slash line with 19 homers over 355 at-bats in 93 games with Tulsa, and he'll likely have to play better to earn an opportunity to be called up to the major-league roster down the road.

Feduccia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Feduccia has been unimpressive at the plate this spring, going 1-for-11 with a double, three walks, an RBI and two runs scored while striking out five times over eight contests. The catcher will look to produce a little more consistently at Triple-A in order to earn another shot with the major-league roster.

Frasso (shoulder) was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Frasso is still recovering from procedures on his shoulder and hip, and he's not expected to be ready to pitch until late in the season. Once healthy, he'll likely return to the mound with Oklahoma City, where he produced a 3.26 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 19.1 innings in four starts last season.

Vanasco was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Vanasco pitched well with the Dodgers this spring, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two batters over three appearances. The 25-year-old will now have to wait for his next shot to return to the major-league roster, and his performance in Cactus League play certainly helps.

Knack was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Knack made two appearances, including one start, this spring, allowing two earned runs on one hit and a walk while striking out seven batters over four innings. The right-hander produced a 2.93 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 43 frames in 10 starts with Oklahoma City last year, and if he repeats that production, he'll likely earn a shot in the majors sooner rather than later.

Sanchez is introducing a cutter to his repertoire this spring, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez debuted back in 2021 but got his first extended run in the rotation in 2023, finishing with a 3.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 18 starts and one relief appearance. Backing up those marks was a strong set of peripherals, as his strikeout rate (24.2 percent), walk rate (4.0 percent) and groundball rate (57.0 percent) all beat league average by a wide margin in the latter two cases. He lines up as the Phillies' fifth starter (barring a potential late free-agent addition) and will look to maintain or improve on those numbers of a full-season workload. Given that he threw only three pitches (sinker, changeup and slider) last season, the addition of a fourth weapon could help him do just that, particularly as it could make the Phillies more comfortable asking him to go deeper into games.

Merrifield started Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins at third base, something he hasn't done in a regular-season game since 2016.

Merrifield may have had another year or two left as an everyday second baseman had he chosen to sign with a non-contender this winter, but his decision to sign with the Phillies means he'll have to prepare for a utility role. Just how often Merrifield finds himself in the lineup may depend primarily on the health and effectiveness of the Phillies' other options. Merrifield should start against most southpaws, in place of either Bryson Stott at second or Brandon Marsh in left field, but if he winds up featuring frequently against righties, it's probably because Johan Rojas played himself out of a starting role in center field. If that were to happen, the likely outcome would be Marsh in center with Merrifield in left in most games. As for the hot corner, that's Alec Bohm's spot, but Merrifield may now be the top backup.

Dominguez is focusing on his mindset this spring in an effort to stop overthinking as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dominguez's ERA rose from 3.00 in 2022 to 3.78 in 2023, with his 4.90 xFIP suggesting that things could easily have been a good deal worse. Of particular concern is Dominguez's strikeout rate, which dropped from 29.5 percent to 21.4 percent. Per Coffey's report, the righty isn't overhauling his delivery or pitch mix this winter, instead focusing on, "trying to manage his delivery less now, rather than thinking about it when he's halfway down the mound." Whether or not that helps Dominguez get back to peak form, something which is needed if he's to carve out save chances in a deep Phillies bullpen, remains to be seen.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar is dealing with right lat tightness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander apparently felt the tightness while throwing recently and is now being monitored by the training staff. It remains to be seen if the issue will affect Bednar's availability for the start of the regular season, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.