MLB Player News

Miller signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Miller split the 2021 season between Pittsburgh and Chicago. Across 12.2 innings in the majors, he was hit hard to the tune of a 9.24 ERA and 2.13 WHIP. It would be a surprise to see Miller earn a significant role with the big-league club out of spring training, though he could serve in a low-leverage bullpen role at some point during the season.

Fairbanks exited his Grapefruit League appearance Sunday with a team trainer, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fairbanks threw only five pitches prior to a visit from the trainer. Topkin speculated that Fairbanks suffered a shoulder injury, which would jeopardize his availability to begin the regular season. Fairbanks' absence would likely open additional save opportunities for Andrew Kittredge and J.P. Feyereisen.

Sulser (illness) is scheduled to pitch Sunday versus the Tigers, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

A stomach bug will end up costing Sulser only a couple of days. The right-hander will be making his second Grapefruit League appearance of the season. He's expected to compete for closing duties with the Orioles this year.

Pearson gave up three runs on three hits over 2.1 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The flame-throwing right-hander entered the game to begin the fifth inning and quickly dispatched the bottom of the Yankees' order, but he gave up three straight hits to kick off the sixth, capped by a monster shot down the right-field line by Joey Gallo. Pearson is still being stretched out as a starter in camp and has an impressive 6:1 K:BB through 4.1 innings, but the Yusei Kikuchi signing seems to block any chance he had of beginning the season in the rotation. It's not yet clear whether the Blue Jays intend to option Pearson down to Triple-A Buffalo and let him build up innings or use him in the big-league bullpen in a multi-inning role.

Garcia threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia missed around two weeks of camp while waiting to secure a visa. The team has remained hopeful that he will be available on Opening Day, and this is another step towards that goal. Garcia could appear in a spring training contest soon, depending on how he recovers from his recent session.

Hearn allowed one run on five hits and struck out two over 2.2 innings in Saturday's spring training start against Colorado.

Hearn dealt with baserunners in all three innings but was touched for just the one run in the first frame when he allowed three base hits. He got out of the second with the help of a pickoff, and reliever Daniel Robert prevented Ryan McMahon from scoring in the third inning after Hearn was removed following a ground-rule double and 49 pitches. The left-hander, who is expected to be part of the 2022 rotation, will get one more Cactus League start. Depending on where he lands in the rotation, Hearn could add another 20-to-30 pitches before making his first start of the regular season. His numbers in 2021 were unexciting, but Hearn could be of use in AL-only formats.

Puk allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks across two innings in a Cactus League loss to the Guardians on Saturday. He struck out two.

The big left-hander is being given an opportunity to secure a rotation spot on the rebuilding Athletics, but he was the fourth pitcher in Saturday. Puk has now sandwiched a pair of concerning outings -- he also gave up two earned runs on two hits in just two-thirds of an inning in his Cactus League debut against the Angels on March 18 -- around the scoreless pair of frames he threw versus the Royals on Tuesday. If he's unable to demonstrate appreciably better form in whatever opportunities he has remaining prior to the regular season, Puk appears destined to start 2022 in the bullpen or back in Triple-A Las Vegas.

Patino (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino threw live batting practice Saturday and evidently felt good afterward, as the team has already scheduled his next throwing session. Assuming he responds well following Tuesday's bullpen session, the right-hander should have a chance to make his spring debut late next week.

Rodriguez is receiving treatment for a pinched nerve in his neck Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Although Rodriguez will face a slight delay in his spring schedule due to his neck injury, he's slated to throw live batting practice Monday. It's not yet clear whether the issue will force him to miss the start of the regular season, but it's encouraging that he'll be able to throw shortly after receiving treatment.

Karinchak (shoulder) is likely to start the season on the injured list, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Karinchak was reportedly dealing with arm stiffness to begin spring training, though the injury has since been clarified as a right teres muscle strain. Regardless, he has now been shut down from throwing for an additional 7-to-10 days. Karinchak's status should only further cement Emmanuel Clase's role as Cleveland's closer.