MLB Player News

Murfee has fired five hitless innings over his first five Cactus League appearances, allowing a walk and hitting a batter while recording five strikeouts.

Murfee is believed to have the inside track for a top setup role in 2023, although the likes of Andres Munoz and Diego Castillo could certainly also see their fair share of eighth-inning work when not serving as closers alongside Paul Sewald. The 28-year-old Murfee was highly impressive as a rookie in 2022, recording a 4-0 record, 2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and seven holds across 69.1 innings.

Brash has allowed five earned runs on four hits and four walks while recording two strikeouts across 1.1 innings in two Cactus League appearances this spring.

The right-hander is looking to carve out a relief role during spring training but has seen his usual control issues rear their head over a small sample. Brash worked out of the bullpen from July 9 onward last season upon being called up from Triple-A Tacoma and acquitted himself well, posting a 3-1 record, 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, nine holds and a 12.6 K/9 across 30.2 innings, albeit while also generating a bloated 4.7 BB/9.

Danner (forearm) was optioned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Danner was a longshot to make the roster anyway, but the inflammation in his right forearm made it all but a guarantee that he'd open the year in the minors. The 2017 second-round pick could be a bullpen option for the Jays at some point over the summer once healthy.

White (elbow) was optioned to minor-league camp by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

White is recovering from Tommy John surgery last April, and the right-hander is hoping to contribute sometime over the summer. Because he won't be ready until at least June, there's a chance that White could be moved to the 60-day injured list if Tampa Bay needs room on the 40-man roster.

The Mariners optioned Bernardino to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Bernardino made his big-league debut as a 30-year-old reliever in 2022, making two appearances out of Seattle's bullpen. The lefty impressed enough in his limited time with the Mariners and over a larger body of work at Tacoma to remain on the 40-man roster through the offseason, but the fact he has two minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for a spot in Seattle's Opening Day bullpen.

The Red sox optioned Walter to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Walter pitched well in a pair of appearances in the Grapefruit League with two scoreless innings and five strikeouts against no walks, but he wasn't ever likely to start the season in Boston. The left-hander is one of the better pitching prospects in the Red Sox system, and in 2022 he posted a 3.59 ERA over 11 starts with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester across 57.2 innings. There's a good chance Walter makes appearances of some sort for Boston before the 2023 season comes to a end.

The Orioles optioned Rom to minor-league camp Monday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rom, whom Baltimore added to the 40-man roster over the offseason, appears set to open the 2023 campaign in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation. He made the jump from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk in mid-August of last year, but he turned in shaky results in his first taste of Triple-A, delivering a 5.58 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB in 30.2 innings over his first six starts with the affiliate.

Clase gave up a two-run home run in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Royals.

Clase worked the fifth inning in this contest and ended up giving up his first two runs of the spring. The Guardians' closer posted 42 saves with an excellent 1.36 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and just three homers allowed over 72.2 innings last season, so this is likely just a blip on the radar. He'll be one of the most popular relievers in fantasy drafts, with a cutter that can top 100 mph and two straight years of ninth-inning dominance under his belt.

Bautista (shoulder/knee) will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Pirates, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista and the Orioles had been eyeing Thursday for his spring debut, but that timeline was apparently moved up a couple days. It's a good sign that Bautista's shoulder and knee aren't a concern anymore, which matches reports of how his bullpens and live batting practice sessions have looked. "The Mountain" is on track to be ready to roll for the O's on Opening Day as the club's clear closer.

Tate (elbow) said he will throw 20 pitches off a full mound Tuesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate is set to take the next step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain after he resumed throwing off a half mound last week. The 28-year-old noted that he'll throw only fastballs in Tuesday's workout, but if all goes well, he could begin to incorporate breaking pitches in his throwing sessions in the near future. Tate is set to begin the season on the injured list and could be sidelined through April.