MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) hasn't yet thrown to live hitters this spring, though Angels manager Phil Nevin hasn't ruled him out for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez last saw big-league action in 2021. He underwent shoulder surgery in November of that year and missed all of last season after suffering a setback while working through a throwing program. Nevin indicated that Rodriguez could see Cactus League action in "the middle of spring," and the right-hander tossed a bullpen session Friday, so he's behind the Angels' other pitchers but still in the mix for the Opening Day roster. If he does make the team, it's uncertain if it would be as a reliever or as a starter.

Vest allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while not recording an out in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

It was a disastrous outing for Vest, who looked better in his spring debut Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. The righty should still have a key role after appearing in 59 games for the Tigers last season, though he could slide down some in the bullpen pecking order if he continues to struggle throughout the spring. Vest is likely behind Alex Lange and Jose Cisnero as a closing option at this point, so his fantasy value is limited.

Silseth has added a new cutter to his arsenal this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth already had a variety of pitches to go to -- per Statcast, he threw five different pitches during his time in the majors last year. The cutter is new wrinkle, and he believes that it could help him against left-handed hitters, per Bollinger. Silseth dominated at the Double-A level last season, but he struggled during a call-up to the majors, posting a 6.59 ERA (5.97 FIP) over 28.2 innings. He's competing for the Angels' sixth-starter job this spring, though he'll most likely open the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Clarke (lower body) is set to throw live batting practice Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Clarke's been slowed early in spring training by lower-body soreness. He's been dealing with the issue for about a week. The right-hander will likely need just one or two live BP sessions before being cleared for game action, so he'll still have enough time make an impression on manager Matt Quatraro over the next few weeks while competing for a bullpen spot.

De Los Santos is dealing with a hamstring injury and may not be ready for Opening Day, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

De Los Santos has yet to make his Cactus League debut this spring, and the severity of his injury is unknown. The right-hander enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 61:17 K:BB across 53.1 innings. If he can return to game action before the end of spring training, he should be considered likely to make the Opening Day roster.

Vespi (abdomen) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and appears set to advance to facing hitters next week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi mixed in all of his pitches during Friday's bullpen session. "I'm right where I need to be," he said. "Everything feels great. My arm feels great, my body feels great. I'm ready to go." Despite the delayed start this year, Vespi is still in contention for a bullpen spot, as he should have at least a couple of Grapefruit League appearances before the regular season begins. It'll likely come down to his performance in those games that determines if he begins the campaign with the Orioles or at Triple-A Norfolk.

Yarbrough is nursing a "slight" groin strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander will throw a bullpen Sunday and, if it goes well, he should be back in action shortly. Yarbrough is looking to begin his Royals tenure on a good note after posting a pedestrian 4.50 ERA in 80 innings for the Rays last season.

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Saturday.

Houston declined Smith's $13 million club option for 2023 after the lefty posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and five saves over 65 appearances last season. Smith surpassed 30 saves in 2019 and 2021 with San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively, and could close in Texas with Jose Leclerc (neck) banged up. Smith is expected to join the team right away Saturday.

The Twins optioned Balazovic (jaw) to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

It's the first cut out of Twins camp, and it comes after Balazovic suffered a broken jaw during an altercation at a Fort Myers bar Feb. 11. The 24-year-old former top prospect struggled to a 7.39 ERA over 70.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022, and he had yet to appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring.

Krehbiel has given up eight runs over 1.2 innings across his first two Grapefruit League appearances.

Krehbiel's place in the Orioles' bullpen can't be considered safe, as the team has a high number of candidates for the rotation that could begin the year as relievers. The shaky start to the spring is a concern, but Krehbiel did fairly well in a setup role last season with a 3.90 GAA, 1.23 WHIP, five wins, one save and 10 holds across 57.2 innings. With Dillon Tate (elbow) out for the first month of the season, that could give Krehbiel a chance to make the roster anyway if he can improve over the rest of spring training.