MLB Player News

Jansen (illness) is expected to pitch Monday against Atlanta, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Jansen was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League appearance after experiencing lightheadedness and dizzy spells, but he's back at the ballpark before Sunday's Grapefruit League finale. The right-hander looks to be ready for Opening Day and will likely be ready to be called upon for save chances to begin the 2023 campaign.

The Rays informed Fleming on Sunday that he will open the season as the team's No. 5 starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming won out in the competition for the No. 5 rotation spot over Yonny Chirinos, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Heading into spring training, Fleming appeared set to audition for a long-relief role, but a rotation spot opened up after Tyler Glasnow suffered an oblique injury that will likely keep him out for at least the first month of the season. The 26-year-old Fleming has had occasional stretches of productive outings at the big-league level, but he floundered over his 35 innings with Tampa Bay in 2022, logging a 6.43 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB. Though he's generally done well to yield groundballs during his time in the majors, Fleming's below-average strikeout rates cap his fantasy ceiling and likely limit his appeal mainly to AL-only leagues.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora informed Kelly on Sunday that he's secured a spot on the Opening Day roster, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Kelly was solid in his cup of coffee with Boston in 2023 with a 3.95 ERA over 13 appearances and 13.2 innings, and he's done a nice job this spring with a 3.38 ERA in his eight innings of work in Grapefruit League play. The 28-year-old right-hander will be a middle-innings option out of the bullpen to open the 2023 campaign.

Devenski is staying with the Angels rather than opting out of his minor-league deal, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Devenski had the option of declaring himself a free agent since the Angels didn't add him to their 40-man roster by Saturday, but the veteran hurler has instead decided to stick with the organization. Devenski struggled mightily with an 8.59 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 14.2 innings between the Diamondbacks and Phillies last season, but he'll try to work his way back to the majors through the Angels' Triple-A affiliate.

Rodriguez (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a live batting practice session Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

This was Rodriguez's second such session this week, as he threw 20 pitches in live batting practice Tuesday. Angels manager Phil Nevin said that Rodriguez will throw another live batting practice before potentially getting into a minor-league contest or tossing a simulated game. The right-hander is still working his way back from the shoulder surgery he underwent in late 2021 and is expected to open the season on the injured list.

Oller was supposed to pitch Saturday against the Brewers but was held out due to experiencing symptoms of vertigo, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The timing of the issue means that Oller is potentially at risk for a trip to the injured list if it persists, but if he gets back on the mound in the next few days, he should be fine. He's recorded a 3.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 14.2 innings this spring.

Fujinami will start once a week on Saturday's to open the season, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Previous reports indicated that Fujinami would start every six days, meaning they could use a five-man rotation in weeks when they have an off day. The decision to lock Fujinami into a once-a-week role to ease his transition from Japan means the Athletics may be forced to turn to six starters on a regular basis, though the team has yet to clarify its full plans. Assuming he does indeed exclusively pitch on Saturday's, Fujinami's first three outings will be home against the Angels, away against the Rays and home against the Mets.

The Twins reassigned Hoffman to minor-league camp Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman has an opt-out in his minor-league contract, and this could lead to him deciding to test free agency. The right-hander dealt with elbow troubles in the early part of camp, and he posted a 3.60 ERA over five innings in the Grapefruit League before the demotion.

The Twins reassigned De Leon to minor-league camp Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

De Leon's highlight this spring was 5.2 perfect innings for Puerto Rico against Israel in the World Baseball Classic. The former top prospect will likely head to Triple-A St. Paul to be a part of that club's rotation, and there's very little likelihood of fantasy relevance in 2023.

Thornton was optioned to Triple-A by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Thornton will begin the season in the minors after posting a 6.48 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 8.1 innings in the Grapefruit League. The right-hander was relatively effective with a 4.11 ERA over 32 appearances with Toronto in 2022, but he'll be an up-and-down option for the Blue Jays to begin -- and likely end -- the 2023 campaign.