MLB Player News

Crochet (elbow) is raising the intensity of his weekly bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Crochet had been throwing two bullpen sessions per week but with a lower level of intensity. His timeline to return from Tommy John surgery remains in mid-May, though the White Sox also clarified that the plan is for Crochet to pitch in extended spring training games before going on a rehab assignment with a minor-league affiliate.

Alcala gave up two earned runs on two hits with a walk and no strikeouts over one inning in his spring debut Saturday against Tampa Bay.

It was Alcala's first competitive game since June as he struggled with injuries last season. Alcala went on the injured list in mid-April with a sore right elbow. He experienced a setback when trying to return in June, and then underwent season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery on his elbow in August. He had a rough spring debut, but he's likely rusty with the long layoff. More importantly, he's looked healthy early in spring. If he can work out the kinks, he's expected to be a key setup man and could figure in the mix for saves with the Twins possibly using a committee approach.

Hernandez is expected to be a reliever again in 2023, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez has experience as a starter -- 21 of his 56 big-league appearances have been in that role. He struggled throughout 2022 with a 7.39 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 35:31 K:BB across 56 innings. His ability to cover multiple frames will likely make him a low-leverage option in the Royals' bullpen.

Taylor (back) will be available to pitch in Saturday's spring training game against Texas, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Taylor missed all of last season due to back issues, but the Royals acquired him from the Red Sox in exchange for Adalberto Mondesi nonetheless. If he proves his health this spring, he could be an effective left-handed reliever for the Royals this season. He recorded a 3.40 ERA in 47.2 innings in 2021.

Otto allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out five over two innings in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.

Otto opened the game with a four-pitch walk to Bobby Witt, who later came around on Vinnie Pasquantino's home run three batters later. "It starts with throwing strikes," manager Bruce Bochy told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. "That's the obvious. He's got great stuff. But he's got to pound the strike zone and throw quality strikes." The right-hander started 27 games for the Rangers in 2022, but he's not expected to return to the rotation after Texas added three veteran starters during the offseason. Otto could be a candidate for the bullpen, but a roster spot is not guaranteed.

Faucher is currently sidelined with an oblique injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher has started playing catch in Florida, but there's no timetable as to when the right-hander will be able to return to the mound. The 27-year-old appeared in 22 games for the Rays in 2022, registering a 5.48 ERA along with a 1.69 WHIP over his 21.1 innings of work.

Armstrong has been sidelined during camp with a neck injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's unclear how severe the injury is. The right-hander was a key contributor to the Rays bullpen in 2022 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, and he agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal to avoid arbitration last month. If healthy, he should be a middle-relief or set-up option for Tampa Bay in 2023.

Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed Friday that Patino (shoulder) is being built up as a starter this spring, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Patino struggled to an 8.10 ERA in six major-league starts last season and was shut down in September with a shoulder issue, but he brought a clean bill of health into camp, and the Rays still hope that he can provide some organizational rotation depth. The 23-year-old is likely to open the season at Triple-A Durham, assuming Tampa Bay's five projected starters make it through the spring unscathed. Patino could be the first pitcher called upon if an injury opens up a spot.

Henriquez is dealing with right posterior elbow soreness, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The reliever underwent an MRI and will be re-evaluated in about a week after receiving an injection. Henriquez probably wasn't going to crack the Opening Day bullpen anyway, but this injury should officially rule out that possibility even if it doesn't wind up being serious.

Bautista (shoulder/knee) will throw another bullpen session Saturday and will up his effort level to around 80-85 percent, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista threw a less intense bullpen session Tuesday and will now ramp things up a bit more this weekend. The Orioles have elected to proceed cautiously with their closer this spring after he dealt with shoulder and knee soreness late last season. It's not clear when Bautista might be cleared for Grapefruit League action.