MLB Player News

Topa owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.

The big right-hander is an intriguing reclamation project of sorts for the Mariners after previously having undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries and finishing last season with the Brewers on the injured list with an ankle contusion. Topa has appeared healthy this spring while working an inning apiece in each of his six appearances out of the bullpen. He projects for a low-leverage role to open the season, which will limit his fantasy appeal overall.

With Michael Lorenzen (groin) uncertain to make his final Grapefruit League start, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Brieske could be an option to fill the fifth rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Lorenzen is projected to be the team's regular No. 5 starter, but his groin strain has his status up in the air heading into the regular season. The Tigers are lined up to use their fifth starter April 4 against Houston, so Brieske or Joey Wentz may be needed if Lorenzen can't go. Brieske made 15 starts for Detroit last year and compiled a 4.19 ERA across 81.2 innings.

Valdez was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Valdez pitched in one inning for the Halos last season, allowing a run on two hits, but he spent most of his time with Triple-A Salt Lake. The 38-year-old reliever will likely return to Salt Lake for the 2023 campaign but could rejoin Los Angeles if the Angels' bullpen depth is tested during the season.

Rosenberg was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Rosenberg cracked the majors for the first time in his career last season, allowing five earned runs over 10.2 innings while striking out eight batters. He performed well in Triple-A last season (3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) and is having a very good spring, so there is a chance Rosenberg can work his way back into the Angels' bullpen if he maintains his current pace.

Devenski was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Devenski was signed to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training with the hope that he could make the Angels as a middle-innings option. He comes up short in that goal, and now is likely going to be a relief option for Triple-A Salt Lake to begin 2023. There's a chance he could join Los Angeles and its pitching staff in the early months if he pitches well, but the Angels would have to add Devenski to their 40-man roster in order for him to pitch in the majors.

Weiss was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Tuesday.

Weiss did not pitch well in his Cactus League contests with a 15.75 ERA over four appearances in four innings. The right-hander will head to Salt Lake to begin 2023, but he could be an option for the Angels at some point before the end of the year as a middle-innings option.

Silseth was optioned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Silseth struggled in the majors last season after getting called up from Double-A, logging a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 28.2 innings. The 22-year-old righty will most likely start the season with Triple-A Salt Lake but could return to the big leagues if he performs well enough there.

Neris told reporters after Tuesday's Grapefruit League appearance that he wasn't concerned about his dip in velocity, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Neris normally works in the mid-90s with his fastball -- typically sitting 94-96 mph -- but Tuesday the right-hander was only in the low-90s with his heater. It was his first appearance since returning from the World Baseball Classic, and it's possible the 33-year-old was working out some rust in the contest. Neris is expected to serve as a bridge option in the middle-innings to closer Ryan Pressly for the 2023 campaign.

Fujinami will start every sixth day this season for the Athletics, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

That's the schedule Fujinami is used to from his time in Japan and the A's want to keep it that way, at least for now. Some early-season off days will allow the club to go with five starters for a while, but eventually it will have to use a six-man rotation and/or a spot starter in order to incorporate the plan for Fujinami.

Rodriguez (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

It was the right-hander's first time facing hitters since August of 2021, as he wound up having right shoulder surgery that November and has faced a long rehab process. Rodriguez was one of the Angels' better young arms prior to the operation, but it remains to be seen how the 24-year-old's stuff will bounce back. He'll begin the season on the injured list and it's unclear when he might be game-ready.