MLB Player News

Angels manager Joe Maddon suggested Sunday that Rodriguez profiles as a reliever both now and in the future, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. "If you look at (Rodriguez) right now, he looks like a relief pitcher to me," Maddon said. "But that doesn't mean he can't start. Just looking at the way he comes after you, the physical stuff, how intimidating he can be in the short term, it's very interesting. I've not seen enough of him to know the other side of it."

Rodriguez has been used almost exclusively as a starter in the minors, though injuries and the global pandemic have limited him to only three appearances since 2017. He is being considered as an option to break camp with the Angels this season as a reliever, and he has posted an impressive 10:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings this spring. While a transition to relief could help expedite the right-hander's path to the majors, it wouldn't be the best thing for his long-term fantasy value.

Romano appears to be next in line to close games for Toronto to begin the season after Kirby Yates (arm) revealed Monday that he would miss multiple weeks after being diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Toronto had never officially named Yates its closer after signing him to a one-year deal this offseason, but he had been in line to fill that role so long as he made a full recovery from the procedure he required last fall to remove bone spurs from his elbow. Based on his comments Monday, Yates seems to have suffered a setback that leaves him without a definitive timeline for a return, opening the door for Romano to potentially step in as the Blue Jays' ninth-inning man. Before his own 2020 campaign was cut short by a sprained finger, Romano was a breakout performer in the Toronto bullpen, posting a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 14.2 innings while scooping up two saves and five holds. He's returned to action healthily and effectively this spring, and his skills could make him an elite option at closer if he's able to hold down the job for the duration of Yates' absence.

Yates said Monday that he expects to miss multiple weeks after he was diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain in his right arm, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The injury is an unfortunate break for Yates, who was believed to be back to 100 percent at spring training after requiring a procedure last year to address bone chips in his elbow. The fact that he's now dealing with another arm injury is troubling, and the Blue Jays aren't expected to provide a concrete timeline for his return until the team evaluates him further. Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis become the most likely candidates to pick up saves for Toronto to begin the season, after Yates had looked to be locked in as the team's closer upon signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal over the winter.

Sborz is in the mix to close games for the Rangers at the start of the season after Jose Leclerc was shut down with elbow soreness Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sborz certainly wouldn't be in the conversation for many teams, as he owns a career 6.08 ERA at the highest level in just 13.1 innings of work. The Rangers' bullpen has been hit with a number of injuries already, however, with Leclerc expected to join Jonathan Hernandez (elbow), Joely Rodriguez (ankle) and Brett Martin (back) on the injured list to start the year. Sborz did record a 31.4 percent strikeout rate and a 7.7 percent walk rate in his last two seasons in the minors, which could be enough to win the job when the top competitors are non-roster invitees like Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said that Rodriguez (ankle) will open the season on the injured list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rodriguez is believed to be progressing well from the sprained ankle that limited him early in spring training, but because he has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game with the start of regular season just 10 days away, the Rangers aren't counting on him to be an option for Opening Day. Young noted that Rodriguez will likely be in store for an abbreviated absence to begin the season, so he could be ready for activation from the IL in the minimum 10 days.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said that Martin (back) will open the season on the injured list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Though Martin is expected to make his Cactus League debut Monday against the Rockies, the reliever apparently won't have enough time to get fully ramped up before the Rangers begin their season April 1. However, assuming Martin steers clear of any setbacks Monday and in any subsequent spring appearances, he should be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 10 days.

Leclerc is dealing with elbow soreness and is expected to miss an extended period, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc was considered the likely (albeit not locked-in) closer in Texas after top competitor Jonathan Hernandez was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in early March, but he's now dealing with elbow troubles himself. It's not clear exactly when the Rangers expect him to return, but he's out of the mix for at least the early part of the season. With Brett Martin (back) and Joely Rodriguez (ankle) also set to open the year on the injured list, the battle for saves in Texas is now wide open, with non-roster invitees Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush potentially leading the pack due to their experience working in the role.

Ortiz (ankle) is listed as an available reliever for Monday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Ortiz isn't expected to play unless the Rangers' other five scheduled pitchers exhaust their respective pitch counts, but the right-hander's inclusion on the lineup card is an indication that he's feeling healthy again after missing time early in camp with an ankle injury. He made his spring debut Friday against the Dodgers, retiring two of the four hitters he faced. The 25-year-old is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Round Rock.

Martin (back) is slated to pitch in relief Monday during the Rangers' Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Martin had been scheduled to make his spring debut March 6, but it got delayed more than two weeks after he experienced back spasms. As a result, Martin is currently behind the Rangers' other relievers, but he may only need to turn in two or three spring outings over the next week and a half to guarantee his availability for Opening Day.

The Royals reassigned Kowar to their minor-league camp Monday.

Kansas City sent several of its top prospects back to minor-league camp Monday, as Kowar was reassigned along with infielder Bobby Witt, outfielder Kyle Isbel and pitcher Daniel Lynch. Kowar will likely open the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Omaha after posting a 3.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:21 K:BB across 74.1 innings at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2019.