MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) is not on the schedule to throw live batting practice this week in Angels camp, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez is said to be rounding the corner in his recovery from November 2021 shoulder surgery, but he's obviously at least a little behind the other pitchers who are contending for the Angels' projected six-man starting rotation. The 24-year-old right-hander missed all of 2022 and likely won't be an option at the outset of the 2023 campaign given the Halos figure to continue easing him along this spring.

Speas joined the Rangers for minor-league camp this week and has elected to resume his playing career after spending most of the 2022 season on the restricted list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

During his last full season in 2021, the 24-year-old right-hander struggled to the tune of an 11.15 ERA, 2.48 WHIP and 30:26 K:BB across 15.1 innings between stops at Double-A Frisco and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The Rangers will likely assign Speas to a lower-level affiliate to begin the season with the hope that he can regain confidence and show improved control. A 2016 second-round draft pick, Speas is blessed with a fastball that can hit the triple digits, so he could have some developmental upside as a reliever if he's able to find the strike zone on a consistent basis.

Barlow is working on a two-seam fastball to add to his pitch mix, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Barlow enters the year as the Royals' expected closer, though the offseason addition of Aroldis Chapman could create a committee. Rogers reports Barlow's two-seamer has been applauded by Royals hitters during camp, so the 30-year-old righty will likely continue to develop it as a fourth pitch to go with his four-seamer, slider and curveball. Barlow went 24-for-28 in saves with a 2.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:22 K:BB across 74.1 innings in 2022.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Pivetta (illness) won't pitch for the Canadian team during the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Pivetta contracted COVID-19 last week, and while he reported back to camp Tuesday and completed a throwing session, he hasn't bounced back from the illness quite as swiftly as he had hoped. Since he apparently wasn't convinced that he would be in top form by the time Canada begins playing in games, Pivetta will instead stick around at Red Sox camp and advance through a throwing program at a more comfortable pace. Though Pivetta's slow recovery from the illness is expected to delay his entry into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule, he still looks like a good bet to get built up in time for Opening Day.

Shaw agreed Wednesday with the White Sox on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 35-year-old right-hander brings a wealth of experience to the table and logged an MLB-leading 81 relief appearances for Cleveland as recently as 2021, but he took a major step back in his final season with the Guardians. Over 58.1 innings in the big leagues, Shaw mustered a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 52:26 K:BB before the Guardians removed him from the 40-man roster in the last week of the regular season. He'll need to show improved form in spring training in order to secure a spot in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen.

Staumont (biceps) is among the Royals relievers who is expected to pitch in Friday's Cactus League opener versus the Rangers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont spent the final six weeks of the 2022 season on the injured list with right biceps tendinitis, but he looks to be back to full strength for spring training and should open the upcoming campaign in a high-leverage relief role for Kansas City. Though he's picked up eight saves across the past two years and owns a career 26.1 percent strikeout rate in the majors, Staumont will face a tougher path to the closing gig in 2023 now that the Royals have added Aroldis Chapman to the roster to challenge Scott Barlow -- who saved 24 games last season -- for the gig.

Vespi (sports hernia) completed a fastball-only bullpen session Tuesday consisting of 20-to-25 pitches, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The bullpen session marked Vespi's first mound work since he underwent surgery Jan. 5 to address a sports hernia. Though the reliever isn't expected to be available for the early part of the Orioles' Grapefruit League schedule while he advances through a throwing progression, both Vespi and manager Brandon Hyde have reiterated that they expect the 27-year-old southpaw will be ready to go for Opening Day.

Boston manager Alex Cora speculated that Mata could make his major-league debut in 2023, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. "The ability is there," Cora said. "At one point, (Mata) is gonna be part of this and he's gonna help us to win a few games."

The 23-year-old Mata was a highly regarded prospect at the lower levels of the minors before the pandemic and Tommy John elbow surgery curtailed his development. He returned to pitching in June of 2022 and was at Triple-A Worcester to finish the season. The right-hander dominated at Double-A Portland (1.85 ERA in 48.2 innings) before a five-start stint with the WooSox (3.47 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 23.1 innings). Mata, who consistently hit 100 MPH last season, will come out of the bullpen in Friday's exhibition against Northeastern University. He projects as a starter or reliver. Either way, Mata needs to hone his command; he posted a career 4.3 BB/9 throughout the minors and 5.8 in 2022.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said the team's closer situation is "somewhat fluid" then mentioned Leclerc's name first, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "He's got great stuff and he's got a good way about him, when it comes to makeup," Bochy said. "He's got the weapons to finish a game, I know that."

Leclerc has the most end-of-game experience among potential closers, which could also include Joe Barlow, Brock Burke and Jonathan Hernandez. Leclerc was effective over the final stages of 2022, converting seven of nine opportunities with a 1.38 ERA over 26 innings while holding hitters to a .482 OPS. He fanned 36 percent of the batters he faced from Aug. 1 forward. Consistent command remains the one big hurdle. Leclerc posted a 4.0 BB/9 last season, including 3.8 during that final effective stretch.

Brieske may begin the year in Detroit's bullpen after working exclusively as a starter in 2022, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Brieske made 15 starts for the Tigers last year and compiled a decent 4.19 ERA to go with a 1.20 WHIP. However, Detroit was decimated by injuries, and the likes of Eduardo Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd and Spencer Turnbull appear to now be healthy heading into camp. That trio, along with Matt Manning and Michael Lorenzen, seem like favorites for rotation spots. That would push Brieske into a relief role, though he could definitely push to start again at some point during the year.