MLB Player News

Hernandez has covered five innings without allowing an earned run over three Cactus League appearances.

Hernandez has also posted a 6:1 K:BB with just three hits allowed. His workload hasn't been that heavy in the spring, but he's performed well in the limited sample. The 26-year-old right-hander looks set to fill a bullpen role as a multi-inning option this season. He struggled to a 7.39 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 56 innings last season, but if he carries over his improved control from the spring to the regular season, he should at least enjoy a little more job security.

Barlow has allowed one earned run on six hits and a walk while striking out eight over eight innings during spring training.

Barlow is doing well in Cactus League play, and he should be at the head of a closer committee once the regular season starts. He matched his career high in innings pitched with 74.1 last season while posting a 2.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 24 saves, six holds and a 7-4 record. Barlow has been known to work more than just the ninth inning, and the presence of lefty Aroldis Chapman on the roster could make this a matchup-based approach. In any case, if Barlow continues to pitch well, he'll be considered for the most important moments in games.

White (shoulder) touched 94 mph during a two-inning appearance in a minor-league game Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

White threw around 40 pitches in the outing and came out of it with no issues. The hope is that his next appearance will be in a Grapefruit League game, which would be his spring debut. While White is trending in the right direction, a stint on the injured list to begin the season seems likely given how much time he's missed.

Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Rodriguez (oblique) is not expected to be placed on the 60-day injured list, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodriguez will need an IL stint after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, but he's already reported some improvement, so the Red Sox don't want to rule him out for two months. However, it will probably still be a little while before a clear timetable is known.

Manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Winckowski will be part of the Red Sox' Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Winckowski will fill a long-relief role while Kutter Crawford will get a spot in the rotation. Winckowski -- who is starting Thursday in Grapefruit League play -- has allowed just two unearned runs in 10 innings this spring.

Mills will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a flexor issue in his right arm Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Mills' injury had previously been referred to as elbow inflammation, but the flexor diagnosis suggests it might be a little more serious. The reliever figures to be shut down for a while before being re-evaluated.

Mills will be shut down for several days after experiencing elbow inflammation coming out of his most recent Grapefruit League appearance March 13, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Though Mills' injury isn't believed to be a significant one, it'll more than likely take him out of contention for a spot in Boston's Opening Day bullpen. The Red Sox acquired the 27-year-old right-hander in December after he turned in a 4.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB over 29.1 innings in the majors with Seattle and Kansas City in 2022.

Leclerc's fastball ranged from 92 to 94 mph Wednesday, down from the 96.5 mph it averaged in 2022, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc finished off Wednesday's spring game for the save, so reduced velocity doesn't necessarily mean he can't close games. That's something manager Bruce Bochy understands and about which he's not concerned, according to Grant. Leclerc cut down on fastball usage last season while increasing his slider and changeup. What he needs to do is fool batters with the change or have them chasing sliders outside the zone. If not, Leclerc will get behind in counts and may throw fastballs in hitters' counts. He's walked four batters in 6.2 Cactus League innings, so there are signs trouble, but he's managed to avoid damage with no earned runs allowed. In the event Leclerc doesn't pan out as the closer, Bochy could turn to Will Smith or non-roster invitee Ian Kennedy to save games.

Stewart was reassigned to minor-league camp by Minnesota on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Stewart got hit around quite a bit in spring training, allowing eight earned runs over 9.1 frames. The 31-year-old reliever is still on his way back from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in May 2021, so he will need to re-establish himself in Triple-A before he gets a chance to pitch again in the majors.

Duran (leg) is scheduled to pitch in Thursday's spring training game against Toronto, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Duran took a line drive to the leg Sunday but walked away with nothing more than a bruise. There never was much concern over his injury to begin with, and Duran himself said his leg is fine. The 25-year-old reliever was dominant last season while recording eight saves alongside a 1.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 67.2 innings, and he appears in line to have a similar 2023 campaign.