MLB Player News

Tate hopes to be considered as a closer option this season, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott are the leading closer candidates for now, but manager Brandon Hyde hasn't provided much insight to specific roles for bullpen arms. Tate was solid last year with a 4.39 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, though his 49:23 K:BB doesn't profile well for a closing role unless he can trim the walk rate a bit. The right-hander added three saves, seven holds and two blown saves while posting an 0-6 record in 62 appearances. Tate has yet to allow a run or a walk in three Grapefruit League outings this season, striking out three in 3.1 innings.

Wantz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Wantz made two relief appearances in the Cactus League this year and allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three in three scoreless frames. Although he made 21 relief appearances for the Angels last year, he'll begin the 2022 campaign in Salt Lake.

Manager Chris Woodward doesn't want to put Barlow back in the closer's role right away this season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Landry said Woodward cited the raised expectations for the club as the reason to use Barlow as more of a fireman. Per Landry, Spencer Patton, Matt Bush or Greg Holland could slide into the ninth-inning role early this season.

Poche is scheduled to appear in relief of starter Josh Fleming in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Healthy again after missing the entire 2020 and 2021 seasons while recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in June 2020, Poche is vying for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen. He's looked sharp in his first two Grapefruit League appearances to date, striking out two over two scoreless frames while recording a save.

Manaea recorded seven strikeouts and allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over 5.2 innings during a Cactus League loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The left-hander was in midseason form as his numbers indicate, making it two straight strong performances for Manaea after a rocky spring debut against the Reds back on March 19. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Manaea retired nine straight hitters at one point against a Dodgers lineup replete with regulars, recorded all seven of his punchouts on swinging strikes and was especially effective with his slider. "My sliders over the past two games have just gotten better and better," Manaea said. "I feel like I'm really starting to rip it and not worried about placing it somewhere and trying to make it do something. I just get my grip and let it go."

Clase has struck out three and allowed three hits across three innings in three Cactus League appearances.

Clase enters the 2022 campaign as the Guardians' top closing option. With James Karinchak (shoulder) sidelined to start the season, it's safe to say Clase will get a week or two at a minimum to take full control of ninth-inning duties. The flamethrowing right-hander was fantastic last year with a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 74:16 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He logged 24 saves, six holds and five blown saves.

Trivino, who's fired three scoreless innings across three Cactus League appearances, should be the clear-cut closer to open the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has worked around three hits and a walk while recording six punchouts thus far, an encouraging start after he saw his strikeout rate tumble to 21.6 percent last season. Trivino recorded a career-high 22 saves last season over 26 chances and added eight holds, giving him no shortage of fantasy relevance. Given his experience, solid results in the role last season and the makeup of the rest of the bullpen, it appears he'll be given every opportunity to hold on to the closer job in 2022.

Misiewicz, who logged a team-high 66 appearances last season, should continue as the bullpen's primary left-handed specialist in 2022, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. "He's had stretches where he's been really good, then he'll have other stretches where it'll happen really quick," manager Scott Servais said. "I'm really hoping he takes a step forward. He could be another guy, pivotal guy, a true pivot guy."

The 27-year-old produced a so-so 4.61 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across his 54.2 innings last season, underscoring some of the inconsistency Servais was alluding to. However, Misiewicz rewarded fantasy managers with 19 holds and five victories. There are blemishes attached to fellow southpaw bullpen options Justus Sheffield, who may also be picking up some spot starts, Nick Margevicius (shoulder) and Roenis Elias (elbow).

Munoz has logged two scoreless innings during which he's allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts across his first two Cactus League appearances this spring.

The flamethrowing right-hander's arrival in camp was delayed by visa issues, but he's made good use of his scant opportunities thus far. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that Munoz, who's already the hardest thrower on staff, is also working on refining his slider to reduce the sweep it has at the moment. The 23-year-old, who's logged just five total appearances -- four at the minor-league level -- since 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, should be a key late-inning option for manager Scott Servais in the coming season.

Bowlan (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bowlan underwent Tommy John surgery early last summer, and Tuesday's bullpen session marked his first time back on the mound. The 25-year-old still has a significant way to go in his recovery, and he should continue building up his arm in hopes of being cleared for game action during the second half of the 2022 campaign.