MLB Player News

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.

Faucher (oblique) is expected to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher has stretched out his flat-ground throwing to 120 feet and is almost ready to take the mound the next time he throws. Assuming the reliever is able to continue progressing with no setbacks, the Rays anticipate him being ready to go for Opening Day.

Cisnero is day-to-day while dealing with a non-COVID illness, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cisnero should be fine in a day or two, but he's been limited to just one appearance this spring due to a neck injury and now an illness. As a veteran, though, he shouldn't need too many outings to get ready for the regular season. Cisnero could factor into the saves mix this season for the Tigers alongside Alex Lange.

White (shoulder) will throw a 40-pitch bullpen session this weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

If that goes well, he'll progress to live batting practice and eventually games. White has been slowed so far in camp due to a right shoulder impingement which has his status for Opening Day up in the air, but he appears to be moving in the right direction.

Pivetta (illness) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus the Astros, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pivetta contracted COVID-19 shortly before the start of camp and has been eased into things so far. He won't be able to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic as hoped, but the veteran right-hander is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Pitching coach Josh Miller said Thursday that Blanco will get stretched out to 40-to-50 pitches this spring, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco reached Triple-A for the first time in 2019 but has struggled to keep a spot on the major-league roster as a reliever. By shifting him toward longer stints on the mound, the Astros hope to give Blanco an additional path to sticking on the roster. He's pitched well early on this spring, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out six.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Leclerc (neck) will no longer play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Leclerc is dealing with some left neck tightness, so he and the Rangers have decided it's best he skip the WBC. It is not clear when Leclerc might be cleared to return to Cactus League play. He is the favorite to open the season as the Rangers' primary closer.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Hall (back) won't be able to get built up enough to start by Opening Day, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

Hall reported to camp with discomfort on the right side of his lower back and isn't expected to be ready for games until the third week of March, so it's not a surprise that he won't be stretched out enough to start. The plan had been for him to compete for a spot in the Orioles' rotation, although, realistically, he was probably either going to start in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation or big-league bullpen. The club has not yet decided how they will handle Hall's role to begin the campaign, but he's pain-free now and is expected to face hitters soon.

White (neck) said Thursday that the injury he's dealing with is similar to the one which cost him most of the second half last season at Double-A Frisco, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The injury he dealt with last year was described as forearm fatigue at the time. More specifically, though, White has nerve inflammation in his neck which causes pain to radiate down his arm. It sounds like he and the Rangers are trying to find a clearer diagnosis before they determine the best course of treatment. In the meantime, White will be shut down from throwing. The 23-year-old right-hander was a 2018 draft pick but has been limited to just 115 innings in pro ball due to injuries.

Patino is a candidate to enter the Rays rotation while Tyler Glasnow (oblique) remains sidelined, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino had been building up as a starter to begin spring training, though his fit in the rotation was unclear so long as everyone remained healthy. With Glasnow sidelined 6-to-8 weeks, Patino now enters the conversation to step into a starting role and will be competing primarily with Josh Fleming and Yonny Chirinos. Patino showed flashes of brilliance during the 2021 season, but his 2022 campaign was derailed by oblique and shoulder injuries so it's unclear how much he would be capable of contributing.