MLB Player News

Fleming doesn't appear to have a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation, but he should have a multi-inning job in the bullpen, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Fleming gave up two runs over 3.1 innings in Monday's spring training loss to Atlanta.

Fleming has allowed three runs over 6.2 innings with four strikeouts and no walks this spring. Fleming doesn't have great velocity (91.2 mph average fastball last season) or strikeout rates (5.6 K/9) but has outstanding control (2.1 BB/9) and ground-ball rates (55.7%). He'll likely work multiple roles in the bullpen and as an occasional opener.

Manager Brandon Hyde hinted Monday that Lopez may be at the front of the line for saves if the Orioles elect not to deploy him in a more versatile high-leverage role, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

An already murky Baltimore closer situation became even more foggy Sunday, when the Orioles dealt Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott to Miami. Sulser and Scott were two of the presumptive favorites to contend for saves in Baltimore, but their departures leave Lopez, Dillon Tate and Paul Fry as the main candidates, at least based on how reporters close to the team have handicapped the closer picture. A 25-game starter for the Orioles in 2021, Lopez finished last season in the bullpen and posted a 4.61 ERA in a small sample of 8.1 innings, though his underlying numbers (2.34 xFIP, 24.2 K-BB%) painted a rosier picture of his performance. In all likelihood, the Orioles will end up cycling through all of Lopez, Tate and Fry in the late innings early on during the season, hoping that one eventually emerges as the most reliable closer.

Jimenez tossed a scoreless inning in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays and now has a perfect 0.00 ERA this spring with four strikeouts across five innings of work.

It's a very small sample size, but after posting a 7.15 ERA in the condensed 2020 season and a 5.96 ERA last year, any promising signs are welcome with Jimenez. The righty was once considered a potential future closer in Detroit, though he's been passed up by the likes of Gregory Soto and Michael Fulmer in the Tigers' bullpen. Jimenez could pitch himself back onto the fantasy radar, but fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach until he displays more consistency.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Marte made his big-league debut with four appearances down the stretch last year, and he won't make the Angels' Opening Day roster. He covered 7.1 innings for Salt Lake last season and allowed seven earned runs with a 7:5 K:BB.

Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Vasquez inked a deal with Toronto on March 11 with the hope of cracking the Opening Day roster, but he'll begin 2022 in the minors following Monday's transaction. He made five relief appearances for the Blue Jays this spring, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while fanning five over 3.1 frames.

The Blue Jays informed Pearson (illness) on Monday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson reported to camp prepared to compete for a starting role, though the bullpen always seemed to be his most realistic path to a roster spot after the Blue Jays added Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi in free agency to fill out their rotation. The 25-year-old appeared to be on track to win a relief role after he struck out six and allowed four baserunners in 4.1 innings between his first two Grapefruit League appearances, but he hadn't appeared since March 26 after succumbing to an illness. It's unclear whether the Blue Jays will stash Pearson on the 10-day injured list while he recovers from the ailment, or if he'll be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo as Toronto trims down its active roster to 28 men ahead of Opening Day.

Klein will be sidelined for the start of the minor-league season while he contends with shin splints, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

News of Klein's injury first became available Monday, when the Royals didn't list him on any of the season-opening active rosters the organization released for its minor-league affiliates. The 22-year-old right-hander spent his first professional campaign at High-A Quad Cities, finishing with a 3.20 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 121:44 K:BB across 70.1 innings.

Schreiber was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Schreiber had solid results this spring, as he posted a 2.57 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in seven innings across four Grapefruit League appearances. However, he spent most of last year at Triple-A Worcester and will be forced to begin the 2022 campaign in the minors as well.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Garcia should serve as rotation depth this season, but there wasn't a role for him to fill right away. He struggled to a 6.85 ERA in 24 outings at the Triple-A level last season, walking 15.6 percent of opposing batters, so he needs to sort out his control before he makes his push for a rotation spot.

Baumann could have a chance to break camp with the Orioles, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

With Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott traded to the Marlins on Sunday, the Orioles will need to have some reinforcements in their bullpen. Baumann has traditionally worked as a starter in the minors, though he also made four relief appearances in the majors last season. The right-hander could be in competition for a multi-inning or piggyback role with the Orioles' rotation far from set in stone ahead of Opening Day. He's allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings in two Grapefruit League appearances. Baumann tossed 2.1 hitless innings in Sunday's loss to the Twins to strengthen his bid for a roster spot.