Player Notes

  • Remains in rotation mix
    Jarvis is still in the mix for the fifth starter job, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Gilbert re-examined the competition for the No. 5 job after the Diamondbacks optioned Slade Cecconi to minor-league camp Monday. Cecconi was seen as part of a three-man grouping that also includes Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson, but Jarvis has been building up innings despite not making a Cactus League start. The right-hander was up to 3.1 innings his last time out, when Jarvis allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five without ceding a run. The conventional thought is that Nelson is the leader at this stage of the spring. Rotowire.com 10 minutes ago
  • Red Sox option Joe Jacques to Triple-A
    Red Sox optioned LHP Joe Jacques to Triple-A Worcester.

    Advice: Jacques will open the season back in the minors after making 23 appearances (one start) last year for the Red Sox. The 29-year-old southpaw figures to be up at some point when Boston’s bullpen needs a fresh arm. Rotoworld 38 minutes ago
  • Likely to make MLB bullpen
    Alcala looks set to begin the season in the Minnesota bullpen with injuries to Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Jhoan Duran (oblique), MLB.com reports. He has a 2.16 ERA this spring with a 10:3 K:BB in 8.1 innings.

    Advice: Alcala has had a strong spring and looks back to full strength after two injury-plagued seasons. He threw just 17.1 innings last season with an ugly 6.23 ERA and missed more than four months with a stress fracture in his right forearm. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2022 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery. He could become part of the setup mix if his fastball can come close to averaging in the high-90s as it did earlier in his career (97.4 mph average in 2021). Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:41 pm
  • Hits open market
    The Athletics released Felipe (elbow) on Monday.

    Advice: Felipe was designated for assignment Saturday and will now become a free agent after failing to draw any interest on waivers. He's already been ruled out for the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Friday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:54 pm
  • Works one inning
    Brebbia (calf) threw one inning in a minor-league game Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Advice: Brebbia is working his way back from a calf injury and had a successful return to game action. He remained non-committal about his status for Opening Day, noting that he typically needs eight-to-10 innings in the exhibition season to get properly stretched out. Monday's outing marked his first game action of the spring, meaning he may need to start the regular season on the injured list. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:44 pm
  • Locked into rotation spot
    Perez has allowed one earned run across 12 innings with a 13:4 K:BB in Grapefruit League action.

    Advice: There are a couple of vacancies at the back of the Pirates' rotation, but Perez will be locked in as a starter to begin the regular season. He built up to five innings in an outing against the Phillies on Monday, racking up eight strikeouts against two walks without allowing a run. Despite the strong form, there should be some skepticism about Perez's performance, as he's posted an ERA above 4.40 in six of his last seven campaigns. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:25 pm
  • Frankie Montas fans five against Giants
    Frankie Montas struck out five batters and allowed one earned run in four innings on Monday against the Giants.

    Advice: For the first time this spring, Montas went four innings and had his best outing since his first time on the mound in late February. The 30-year-old will be the Reds’ Opening Day starter so it is encouraging to see him get back into rhythm after he allowed four earned runs in back-to-back starts. Montas has a 6.94 ERA this spring with a 10/4 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:42 pm
  • Could serve as spot starter
    Smyly could start the regular season in the rotation with Jameson Taillon (back) set to miss some time into April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:30 pm
  • DL Hall gives up two runs to Angels
    DL Hall allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings Monday against the Angels.

    Advice: The first run was a result of Sal Frelick trying to prove himself at third base and diving for an “infield single” that would have been a routine play for Willy Adames at short, and the second came after he left the game in the fourth. Hall did walk three today, so that’s not great. His upside is tantalizing, but even getting through five innings per start might be tough for him with his control issues. A stint in Triple-A remains a possibility. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:39 pm