MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

This is a major step in Rodriguez's rehab from shoulder surgery, as it will represent his first time throwing to live hitters since August of 2021. The right-hander has been tossing bullpen sessions this spring, but his overall recovery from the shoulder issue has been very slow. If Tuesday's session goes well, Rodriguez could throw a sim game or even make an appearance in an exhibition game soon thereafter, but it's likely he'll open the campaign on the injured list.

The White Sox optioned German to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Chicago acquired German from Boston in February in a deal that sent Theo Denlinger to the Red Sox. The right-hander stands a good chance of making appearances with the White Sox this summer, but he'll open the 2023 campaign in the International League.

Alexy was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Monday.

Alexy made just one appearance in the Cactus League, and he allowed two runs in 0.2 innings of work with two walks. The right-hander will likely see time with the White Sox before the end of 2023 as an up-and-down arm who offers no fantasy relevance.

Zimmermann was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk by the Orioles on Monday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Zimmermann has been competing for a spot in the Orioles' rotation but always seemed to be on the periphery. The left-hander does figure to make some starts with the big club this season but for now will head to Norfolk.

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk by the Orioles on Monday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi is just now returning from sports hernia surgery that he underwent in January, and the southpaw will need more time to get ready for the regular season. The 27-year-old will likely be an up-and-down option for Baltimore throughout the 2023 campaign.

Hall (back) being used as a reliever at the start of the season was not ruled out by Orioles manager Brandon Hyde on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The plan prior to Hall suffering a back injury had been to stretch the left-hander out as a starter. That could still happen at Triple-A Norfolk, but now keeping him in the majors as a member of the bullpen is also being considered. Hall made his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Phillies, striking out four but allowing three runs -- one earned -- over 1.2 innings of work.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Rodriguez has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora declined to provide a timetable for the reliever when asked about the matter, but Rodriguez will most likely be sidelined for multiple weeks, if not more than a month. Ryan Sherriff and Oddanier Mosqueda are expected to challenge for a left-handed reliever role with Boston while Rodriguez recuperates.

The Mariners reassigned Rodriguez to minor-league camp Monday.

Rodriguez submitted three scoreless relief appearances during Cactus League play, but the 27-year-old right-hander never merited serious consideration for a spot in Seattle's Opening Day bullpen after having toiled in the minors over both of the past two seasons. He spent the 2022 campaign in the Mets organization, pitching to a 4.95 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 68:36 K:BB across 76.1 innings.

The Mariners reassigned Bukauskas to minor-league camp Monday.

The right-hander held an 8.31 ERA over five Cactus League appearances. Bukauskas was a waiver pickup in January before Seattle removed him from its 40-man roster in February.

Foster has been shut down due to a right forearm strain, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox don't currently have a timetable for the reliever but hope to have one by the end of camp. That would seem to suggest Foster might be sidelined for a while, but it sounds like there should be more clarity by the end of next week. Foster held a 4.40 ERA over 48 appearances with the big club in 2022.