MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Vespi (sports hernia) is slated to throw a simulated game next week, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

After Vespi threw a 35-pitch bullpen session last Friday, there had been some hope that he would be cleared to face hitters this week, but the Orioles will instead continue to take things slowly with the lefty reliever for a few more days. With the Orioles providing no indication that he has suffered a setback in his recovery from the sports hernia surgery he underwent Jan. 5, Vespi still looks on pace to get fully ramped up by the time Opening Day arrives. However, since Vespi doesn't have an extensive track record in the majors and still has two minor-league options remaining, it wouldn't be surprising if the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk before heading north for the start of the regular season.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Bautista (shoulder/knee) is on track to throw live batting practice next week, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The 27-year-old has yet to make his spring debut while battling shoulder and knee soreness, but he's been gradually ramping up through bullpen sessions over the past two weeks and should be ready to take the next meaningful step forward in his buildup process within the next few days. Assuming Bautista is able to get in an appearance or two in a Grapefruit League game or minor-league game on the back fields at some point before spring training ends, he should be ready to handle closing duties for the Orioles by the time Opening Day arrives.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Hall (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is set to throw live batting practice in the upcoming days, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hall won't be an option for Opening Day while he remains behind the Orioles' other pitchers in his throwing progression due to the lower-back injury, but the fact that he's been cleared for mound work with a couple weeks left to go in spring training suggests he shouldn't be headed for an extensive absence to begin the season. The Orioles are still looking to develop the 24-year-old lefty as a starter, so he'll presumably join the Triple-A Norfolk rotation whenever he's deemed to be healthy.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Tate (elbow) threw his first half-mound session of spring training Wednesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun, Tate's throwing session consisted of all fastballs, as the Orioles aren't yet comfortable having him put spin on the baseball while he's working back from a right elbow flexor strain. Tate is already expected to be sidelined for the first month of the season, so the Orioles may not be planning on having him throw off a full mound until late in camp or until early April.

Sborz allowed three runs on one hit and three walks over a third of an inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Sborz entered in the fourth inning, an indication the Rangers are strongly considering him for a spot on the Opening Day roster. It also doesn't hurt that he's out of minor-league options. The right-hander remained on the 40-man roster over the winter despite his 6.45 ERA last season. The Rangers really like him, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "He's got the arsenal, all the weapons; it's there. He's just lacked the consistency in the strike zone," manager Bruce Bochy said. What the manager sees is a reliever that fanned 101 batters over 81.1 innings (12.9 K/9) in two seasons with the Rangers, but as indicated by Tuesday's performance, command is the issue; Sborz walked 43 batters in that same span. Bochy said the reliever's got the stuff to pitch late in games, especially relevant with Jose Leclerc (neck) working his way back from injury.

Jansen is expected to join Team Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic if the club advances, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Jansen is still in spring training with Boston and just made his spring debut with the Red Sox on Monday. The long-time closer will remain in Florida as an option for the Grapefruit League, but he could be a late-inning option in the WBC if Team Netherlands advances. Jansen is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he recorded 41 saves along with a 3.38 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 64 innings in 65 appearances.

Leclerc (neck) threw 14 pitches in a scoreless inning in a "B" game Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc allowed a bloop double but nothing else and his neck injury did not hinder him at all in the appearance. The reliever would seem to be ready for a Cactus League appearance next, although that hasn't been confirmed. Leclerc is competing for the Rangers' closer job and, if healthy, might be the favorite to win it.

Morgan has allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four over three innings in three Cactus League games.

Morgan's solid control is nothing new -- he posted a 1.8 BB/9 over 66.2 innings last season. Given the right-hander's solid work as a reliever and the Guardians' stable set of starters, Morgan figures to pitch primarily out of the bullpen in 2023. He also had a 3.38 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 72:13 K:BB with 10 holds last year, so he could work his way into being part of the setup mix, though a multi-inning role is most likely.

Jimenez has struggled with his velocity this spring, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jimenez was throwing just 88-89 mph in his first Cactus League appearance before bumping it up to 91-93 mph his second time out. That's still down a bit from what he threw in 2022, which is especially concerning since he ended last season with a shoulder injury. Jimenez entered camp as arguably the favorite to close for the Athletics, but he'll probably need to show better velocity in order for the team to trust him in the role. Trevor May, Zach Jackson and Domingo Acevedo are alternatives for the closer job.

Hoffman (elbow) worked an inning of relief and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Pirates in Grapefruit League play.

Hoffman, who inked a minor-league deal with the Twins in late February, made his spring debut Sunday after spending the prior week ramping up at camp. The right-hander appears to be healthy again after forearm and elbow trouble sidelined him for most of the entire second half of the past season while he was with the Reds. Since Hoffman isn't a member of the Twins' 40-man roster, he may face an uphill battle to win a spot in Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen.