MLB Player News

Brieske (undisclosed) will likely start the year on the injured list, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's not yet known what will cause Brieske to miss time. The right-hander was considered a potential starter to begin the year for the Tigers, but that obviously won't take place now. The 24-year-old held his own in 15 starts with Detroit in 2022 with a 4.19 ERA and 54:25 K:BB over 81.2 innings.

Kelly generated a 2.25 ERA across eight innings over eight Cactus League appearances.

Kelly did allow eight hits, but he issued just one walk against seven strikeouts while not allowing a homer. The right-hander struggled mightily in his time with the White Sox in 2022. posting a 6.08 ERA and 53:23 K:BB across 43 appearances. However, the 34-year-old has made a habit of bouncing back from poor campaigns with positive ones the following year. Kelly will likely work in a setup role in 2023, but he could see some save opportunities with the White Sox having no set closer to begin the season.

Angels manager Phil Nevin announced after Saturday's exhibition game against the Dodgers that Davidson will be a part of the Opening Day roster, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Davidson will pitch out of the bullpen to begin the year, but he could also be the sixth starter for the club when that becomes necessary. The left-hander is going to be part of the squad at least in part because Griffin Canning is battling a groin injury. Davidson struggled mightily in his limited time with both Atlanta and Los Angeles in 2022 -- the latter appearances coming after he was dealt for Raisel Iglesias at the deadline -- but he will have a chance to stick with the Los Angeles staff to begin 2023.

The Athletics optioned Smith to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Smith got off to a rough start in the Cactus League, but the right-hander was solid to end the spring season to finish with a 3.12 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 8.2 innings. The 27-year-old will likely be an up-and-down depth option for the Oakland bullpen throughout 2023.

Hill is likely battling for one of three remaining bullpen spots in Detroit along with Tyler Holton, Chasen Shreve, Trey Wingenter and Beau Brieske, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Holton and Shreve are both lefties, so the Tigers will likely want to keep one or both of them as situational options. Hill may still make the team as a long reliever, as he made eight starts last season as a rookie. The righty held his own with a 4.03 ERA, though he only had 40 strikeouts across 60.1 innings, so he seems unlikely to dominate batters out of the bullpen.

Davidson and Griffin Canning are battling for a role as the Angels' sixth starter, Adrian Garro of MLB.com reports.

The two hurlers have been battling it out throughout the spring, and Canning has put up better numbers, posting a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 13.2 innings versus Davidson's 5.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB across 17.1 frames. One thing working in Davidson's favor, however, is that he is out of minor-league options while Canning is not. Whichever pitcher wins the competition may not see action in a starting role right away, as Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday that the team is "going to take it day by day, but there's a possibility that sixth spot maybe we don't use it right off the bat ... and if we don't use him right off the bat, he's in the bullpen and provides length there," per Garro.

Joyce will open the year with Double-A Rocket City due to the way the altitude in Salt Lake impacts pitching development, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

For a pitcher who was the talk of the Angels' bullpen during spring training and didn't get reassigned until this past weekend, it would have seemed likely for Joyce to open the year at Triple-A. As Blum notes, Chase Silseth was held at Double-A last year before getting promoted to the majors, so this is a tactic the Angels like to use with young pitchers given the alternative of sending them to the Pacific Coast League. Joyce is a strong candidate to pitch his way to the majors if he stays healthy and could be the Angels' long-term closer.

Rodriguez (oblique) has no official timetable in place for his return, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Recent reports have said Rodriguez is already beginning to feel better after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on March 18, but he should still miss a good chunk of April. He will almost certainly be placed on the 10-day IL to start the year, which would open up a spot for Raimel Tapia to make the Opening Day roster as a backup outfielder.

Blanco has won the final bullpen spot for the Astros and will make the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco will be the multi-inning option for the Astros after being stretched out to throw 40-to-50 pitches over the spring. The 29-year-old earned his spot with a 0.64 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB in 14 innings during Grapefruit League play.

Mayers was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Royals on Tuesday.

Mayers allowed eight earned runs through 14.1 innings this spring and will likely begin the season with Triple-A Omaha. The 31-year-old reliever recorded a 6.27 ERA and 1.42 in the minors last season.