MLB Player News

Luetge has made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Luetge was dominant for the Yankees during Grapefruit League play and posted a 1.74 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. As a result, he'll return to the majors for the first time since 2015. Luetge is unlikely to pitch in many high-leverage situations this year.

Armstrong will begin the regular season on the paternity list, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong will be away from the Orioles for several days due to the birth of his child. Following his brief absence, the right-hander is a candidate for save chances this year, but Tanner Scott and Cesar Valdez are the top options to close out games while Armstrong is unavailable. Armstrong performed well during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, as he posted a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 15 innings during 14 relief appearances.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Tate will be included on the Opening Day roster, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate and Cole Sulser were awarded the final two spots in the bullpen over Travis Lakins, who was optioned to the minors. With Hunter Harvey (oblique) beginning the season on the 60-day injured list, the Orioles lack an obvious top candidate to close, but Tate isn't expected to warrant much early consideration for saves. Instead, he's expected to work in middle relief, with his past experience as a starter in the minors making him a candidate to cover multiple innings when needed.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Sulser will be included on the Opening Day roster, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Though he had a brief run as the Orioles' closer in 2020, Sulser's rough finish to the past season meant that he had to battle for a bullpen job in spring training. He was able to lock down a spot by holding opposing hitters to a .118 average over his five innings this spring, though both of the hits that he gave up were home runs. The Orioles' closing situation remains unsettled heading into Opening Day, but Sulser isn't believed to be part of the conversation at the moment. Instead, Tanner Scott, Shawn Armstrong and Cesar Valdez likely profile as the top options for saves.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Lakins will be optioned to the minors, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lakins posted a 2.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 25.2 innings during 22 starts in the 2020 season, but he struggled this spring with an 8.59 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 7.1 innings. As a result, the 26-year-old will begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk but should be one of the top candidates for a promotion if the Orioles need bullpen depth in 2021.

Hearn will pair with Jordan Lyles to form a starting tandem to open the regular season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers set the opening week rotation, which includes two sets of tandem starters. Lyles and Hearn will slot in as third in the rotation and pitch Sunday, April 4, against the Royals. Texas manager Chris Woodward did say Lyles is "close" to becoming a traditional starter, citing the right-hander's strong spring. If that were to happen, then Hearn would move to the bullpen in a traditional reliever role.

Nelson will begin the campaign as a member of the Yankees' bullpen, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

This news comes as little surprise after Nelson put together a superb spring, posting a 10:1 K:BB across 10 innings and allowing only one run. The 25-year-old was primarily a starter in the minors and could fill a flexible role for New York. He often threw multiple relief innings during his debut big-league campaign in 2020, and he could work his way into high-leverage situations if he carries his Grapefruit League momentum into the regular season.

Pearson (groin strain) is still just throwing long toss and does not have a scheduled date for full bullpen sessions yet, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Given that Pearson has already had one setback, the Jays are making sure he doesn't have another one with this injury. He's going to need to progress to full bullpen sessions and then simulated games, and perhaps finally to some games at the alternate training camp site before he's cleared to return to the Jays' rotation.

Manaea allowed five earned runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League loss to the Giants on Monday. He struck out five.

As his final line indicates, Manaea's control wasn't in top form, but Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports the left-hander was able to close out his spring slate on a high note by retiring the side in the fourth after reentering the game following a third-inning exit. Despite some wildness Monday, the veteran finished Cactus League play with a 3-1 mark and 17 strikeouts over 15.1 innings.

Leclerc (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move is an expected one, as Leclerc won't pitch again for more than a year due to Tommy John surgery. With Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) also landing on the 60-day injured list, the ninth inning is open for Ian Kennedy or Matt Bush.