MLB Player News

Karinchak struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

Karinchak has covered 7.1 innings this spring, though he's allowed five home runs, five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts. There shouldn't be too much concern for his performance this spring, as long as he can leave his uneven pitching in Arizona when the Guardians begin the campaign. Karinchak should serve in a high-leverage role as a setup man to Emmanuel Clase.

Manager Aaron Boone said Kahnle (biceps) should resume throwing in a few days after receiving a cortisone injection Tuesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Kahnle should still miss at least a few weeks to begin the regular season, as biceps tendinitis has prevented him from progressing in his throwing program. Assuming he returns to full health, the veteran right-hander should see some high-leverage opportunities this season in his second stint with the Yankees.

Krehbiel has pitched 4.2 scoreless innings over his last five Grapefruit League outings.

Krehbiel also has a 6:1 K:BB in that span. The right-hander was a solid part of the Orioles' strong bullpen last season, but he was torched for eight runs over his first two appearances this spring. Now that he's back on track, he should remain in contention for the Opening Day roster, though the Orioles still have a lot of trimming to do to their pitching staff.

Bummer (lat) is scheduled to appear in Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Bummer will be making his Cactus League debut against Oakland after missing the start of spring training with soreness in his right lat. The right-hander isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster because of how much time he'll have missed, but his stint on the injured list would likely be short if he isn't available for the start of the season. Bummer could be in line for save chances for the White Sox at some point in 2023 with no defined closer for Chicago to begin the campaign.

Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to start and cover two innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After a three-week layoff from Cactus League action while he managed a groin strain, Yarbrough returned to the Royals' pitching schedule Sunday, working out of the bullpen to toss a scoreless inning in a 13-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. He'll increase his workload by another inning Wednesday, but Yarbrough still doesn't look as though he'll be on pace to handle a traditional starter's workload by the time Opening Day arrives. If his appearance Wednesday goes well, Yarbrough would likely then be cleared for one final 3-to-4-inning outing this spring, which should be enough for him to be a piggyback option or primary pitcher out of the bullpen when his first turn through the regular-season rotation comes up.

White (shoulder) is aiming for 45 pitches during Wednesday's minor-league appearance, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

It's a little more clarity after it was announced Monday that White would throw around 50 pitches over three innings. The right-hander has yet to be able to make an appearance during the Grapefruit League because of a right shoulder impingement, but that could change if Wednesday's outing goes well. White isn't expected to begin the season in the Toronto rotation, but he does have a chance to make starts for the Blue Jays before 2023 comes to a close.

Moran threw a scoreless inning with two walks in Tuesday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. He's thrown four scoreless innings with four walks this spring. Moran reached 98 mph on the radar gun while pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, MLB.com reports.

Moran gave up one earned run with five strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings in the WBC. Moran improved in his second season in the majors to become an impact reliever in the Minnesota bullpen due to his strikeout rate (32.9% in 2022). A big part of his success last season was due to improving his control (allowing just a 11% walk rate from 18.4% in 2021). His six walks in 6.2 innings between the two teams this spring is thus a concern. However, he's set to begin the season as a second lefty setup man in the Minnesota bullpen.

Lopez threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Tuesday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. It was his first outing since throwing three scoreless innings in three games for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Lopez has looked sharp this spring between the WBC and Grapefruit League action (three scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one walk). Twins manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't given any indications about how he plans to use his bullpen this spring, but Lopez figures to be in the mix for saves. While Jhoan Duran may be the best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard for the save statistic. Duran may be used in high-leverage matchups with Lopez pitching the ninth inning, for example. Griffin Jax and Jorge Alcala could also figure into the mix to finish games. Lopez struggled with a 4.37 ERA and just a 18:14 K:BB in 22.2 innings after his trade to Minnesota, so it's encouraging to see him have a strong spring.

Topa owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.

The big right-hander is an intriguing reclamation project of sorts for the Mariners after previously having undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries and finishing last season with the Brewers on the injured list with an ankle contusion. Topa has appeared healthy this spring while working an inning apiece in each of his six appearances out of the bullpen. He projects for a low-leverage role to open the season, which will limit his fantasy appeal overall.

With Michael Lorenzen (groin) uncertain to make his final Grapefruit League start, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Brieske could be an option to fill the fifth rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Lorenzen is projected to be the team's regular No. 5 starter, but his groin strain has his status up in the air heading into the regular season. The Tigers are lined up to use their fifth starter April 4 against Houston, so Brieske or Joey Wentz may be needed if Lorenzen can't go. Brieske made 15 starts for Detroit last year and compiled a 4.19 ERA across 81.2 innings.