MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Dubin to their minor-league camp Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Dubin is expected to return to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the 2022 campaign after he turned in a 3.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 69:19 K:BB in 49.2 innings with the affiliate a season ago. After being added to the 40-man roster over the offseason, Dubin should be on the shortlist for a call-up to the big club if the Astros have a need for a spot starter or multi-inning reliever.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday he's entertaining the idea of using Chapman more in the eighth inning this season to keep the closer sharp during lengthier periods in between save chances, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. "It will serve him well at times and protect other guys at times," Boone said. "It will help us as a staff and keep Aroldis more regular rather than let him get to five, six days without pitching."

More specifically, Boone said he prefers to get Chapman some more work in the eighth inning of tight games, rather than asking the lefty to pitch in low-adrenaline blowouts or post-game bullpen sessions for the sake of staying sharp. While Chapman could still miss out on a few save chances if he's summoned when his team is trailing or tied and the Yankees later take the lead, the prospect of the 34-year-old getting more high-leverage, non-save-situation opportunities could help him avoid the ratio damage many traditional closers often take on when pitching in blowouts. The arrangement may also help Chapman pick up more innings, which would heighten the impact of his strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. He's thrown no more than 60 frames in any of the last six seasons, with his innings counts often lagging behind some of baseball's other ace relievers.

Otto allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out none over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's spring training game against the White Sox.

This was Otto's first Cactus League start, his first chance to stake a claim on the fifth starter's job, but the right-hander said he let the emotions get the best of him in the midst of a competition. He told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that his performance was "unacceptable." The Rangers took Otto off the hook by scoring 14 runs, the second time Texas' offense amassed double-digit runs in a spring game. He allowed all the damage in the first inning before settling down in the second, which pleased manager Chris Woodward. "He was amped up and excited, and he wants to show off what he can do," Woodward said of Otto's first inning. "I did like to see the second one though. There was a lot more calm to him, and the delivery was cleaner like I know he's able to while establishing his pitches." Woodward added that Otto, and possibly Spencer Howard and A.J. Alexy, might benefit from more time at Triple-A.

Winckowski was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Winckowski was added to Boston's 40-man roster in November and will now head to minor-league camp after opening spring training with the major-league club. He appeared in two games for Worcester but spent most of 2021 at the Double-A level, where he posted a 4.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 88:30 K:BB across 100 innings.

Mata (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Mata underwent Tommy John surgery last April and sat out the 2021 campaign, and he still has a bit to go in his recovery. The 22-year-old could return to game action sometime over the summer if there's no issues with his rehab program.

The Rangers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Texas sent out Rodriguez and fellow pitcher Demarcus Evans to Triple-A as it reduced its group in big-league camp to 57 players. While working as a swingman at Round Rock following a mid-season promotion from Double-A Frisco in 2021, Rodriguez appeared in 13 games (four starts) at the Triple-A level and finished with an 8.01 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 30.1 frames.

Patino (shoulder) threw an 18-to-20 pitch bullpen session Wednesday with no issues, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday with some shoulder soreness, but his quick return to the mound indicates it's not a serious concern. The 22-year-old is now scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday as he moves toward a return to game action.

The Guardians announced Wednesday that Morris is dealing with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder and will be shut down for 4-to-6 weeks before being re-evaluated, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

An MRI revealed the injury, which will keep Morris sidelined for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old has yet to make his major-league debut since being drafted by Cleveland in 2018, but if he can get healthy, he'll likely get the chance to join the big club at some point in 2022. Morris made eight starts with Triple-A Columbus in 2021, producing a 2-2 record with a 1.72 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 52 in 36.2 innings.

Montero (lat) reported to the Astros' big-league camp Wednesday after resolving his visa issue, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As a reliever, Montero likely won't require much build-up time in advance of Opening Day, despite having missed nearly two weeks' worth of workouts. However, he'll still need to prove that he's fully recovered from the right lat strain that kept him sidelined from Aug. 8 onward last season. If healthy, Montero will likely settle into a middle-relief role for Houston to begin the 2022 season.

Shaw signed a contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Shaw spent the 2021 season with Cleveland, appearing in 81 games and posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 77.1 innings. The veteran reliever converted two out of eight save opportunities while also recording 20 holds on the season. His 6-7 record and 71:38 strikeout to walk ratio from last season along with his inability to close games makes him an unattractive bullpen option.