MLB Player News

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.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Wednesday that Bummer (shoulder/lat) is on track to be ready for Opening Day, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Bummer came down with some discomfort in his left shoulder/lat in early February and is behind the other relievers in White Sox camp, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of concern. "I think he's on pace. I haven't heard anything different," said Grifol. "He's feeling good ... the last time I spoke to our trainers, he's on pace." Bummer, 29, might be in line for a healthy share of save chances this season given the uncertainty around Liam Hendriks following his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in January.

Sandlin (shoulder) has received full medical clearance ahead of spring training, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Though Sandlin has yet to make his Cactus League debut, his absence from the pitching schedule thus far isn't the result of any setbacks in his recovery from a strained right shoulder, an injury that knocked him out early in the Guardians' 2022 postseason run. Sandlin, who compiled a 2.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 41:24 K:BB in 44 innings a season ago, will likely factor into the middle-inning mix for Cleveland once again in 2023.

Voth's experience as a reliever could lead to him starting 2023 in the bullpen, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Voth started 17 of his 41 appearances between the Nationals and the Orioles last season, with most of his success coming in Baltimore. With a crowded competition for the rotation, it would make sense for the Orioles to move the 30-year-old to the bullpen at the start of the campaign. He would likely fill a long-relief role with the ability to make spot starts since he's stretching out in camp.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that White is dealing with tightness in the right side of his neck and will be held out of action for the next couple of days, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

White is one of the top prospects in the Texas system, and the Rangers won't take any unnecessary risks with the 23-year-old right-hander while he's less than 100 percent healthy. After posting a 104:23 K:BB and 3.59 ERA in his 80.1 innings between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco in 2022, White is projected to open the upcoming season with Triple-A Round Rock. He could make starts with the Rangers by the time 2023 comes to a close.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Leclerc is dealing with left neck discomfort, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Leclerc is currently scheduled to take part in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, but Young said that the Rangers staff is evaluating how the injury might affect the reliever's participation. Whether Leclerc sits out the WBC or not, fantasy managers will still want to keep an eye on updates pertaining to the right-handed hurler, who looks to be the top option for saves out of the Texas bullpen to open the 2023 season.

Guardians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Hentges is dealing with left shoulder inflammation and will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Hentges was a strong performer for the Cleveland bullpen in 2023, finishing with a 2.32 ERA and 72:19 K:BB over 62 innings in 57 appearances. The Guardians should have a clearer idea regarding his availability for the start of the season within the next couple of issues, but it's not the most encouraging sign that he's being listed as week-to-week rather than day-to-day.

Bautista (shoulder/knee) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 27-year-old continues upping his intensity on the mound and is scheduled for another bullpen session Saturday. It's unclear when Bautista will be cleared for game action, but he appears to be close to throwing against live hitters.

Balazovic (jaw) said Tuesday that he plans to throw a bullpen session before the end of this week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Balazovic suffered a broken jaw when he was involved in an altercation at a bar earlier this month. He doesn't think the injury will affect his availability for the start of the minor-league season. Balazovic struggled mightily during his first taste of the Triple-A level in 2022 but is still viewed as one of the Twins' better pitching prospects.

Chapman (mouth) is slated to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Chapman had been slated for a bullpen session Tuesday after suffering a split lip and a cracked tooth in a fall at home, but it appears he'll be thrown into game action instead. The veteran reliever inked a one-year deal with the Royals last month and is expected to be in the mix for saves along with Scott Barlow.