MLB Player News

Garcia held Philadelphia scoreless and hitless and struck out a pair over three innings in a Grapefruit League contest Friday, but he also walked four batters.

To his credit, Garcia improved as his outing wore on, going from three walks in the first inning to one in the second before finishing with a 1-2-3 third frame. He also held the Phillies without a run to improve his spring ERA to 1.64. As good as Garcia has been, Domingo German has been even better with nine scoreless innings and a 13:1 K:BB. That may give German the inside edge for the Yankees' No. 5 starter role, though that decision has yet to be announced.

Soto averaged 99.5 mph on his fastball in Friday's Grapefruit League appearance and hit 100.9 mph, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Soto was overpowering in his clean inning of work against the Blue Jays, tossing 13 pitches (eight for strikes) and striking out one. Manager A.J. Hinch said the lefty was "really in control of his inning," and Soto looks like the frontrunner for the closer role in Detroit at this point. He saved two games for the Tigers last season.

Scrubb exited Friday's spring game against the Nationals due to right shoulder soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb came on in the top of the third inning Friday and issued two walks while striking out one during the frame. However, he gave up a home run to lead off the fourth inning and the left the game with a trainer. The severity of his injury isn't yet known.

Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Abreu was in major-league camp to begin spring training but will now join the minor-league squad ahead of the regular season. The right-hander made three Grapefruit League appearances this year and allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings.

Cordero underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cordero was competing for a major-league bullpen spot during spring training, but he'll now miss the entire 2021 season following his surgery. The right-hander posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 26.2 innings during 30 relief appearances last year but will now face an extended recovery timetable.

Smeltzer was optioned to the alternate training site Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old was in camp competing for a rotation spot but has struggled with seven runs allowed over four innings. Smeltzer primarily worked as a reliever for the Twins in 2020 and posted a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings. He'll eventually join Triple-A St. Paul for the start of the minor-league season.

Borucki has posted a 2.25 ERA and 6:0 K:BB through four Grapefruit League innings.

The southpaw began adjusting to a short relief role last season, and Borucki appears to be thriving with the switch. The 26-year-old should open the season as Toronto's top setup option from the left side, potentially making Borucki a strong source of holds in 2021.

Rodriguez is being considered for an Opening Day bullpen spot, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez is one of the Angels' best prospects but has made just three starts over the last three years (all at the High-A level) due to back issues and last year's canceled minor-league season. He evidently impressed enough at the alternate site and in camp this spring that the team thinks he may already be ready to debut. The 22-year-old righty has the stuff of a high-leverage reliever or even a frontline starater, though his injuries and lack of a track record make it hard to predict just how much he can offer the Angels this season.

Brasier (conditioning) isn't ready to pitch in games and is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after being a late arrival to spring training due to a personal matter, and he's still attempting to catch up to Boston's other relievers. The fact Brasier isn't returning from an injury could allow him to miss minimal time, even if he isn't quite ready for the start of the season.

Merryweather (back) is scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

General manager Ross Atkins said earlier in the week the 29-year-old was nearing his Grapefruit League debut, but the right-hander still needs to complete a simulated game. Merryweather is expected to operate as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen once healthy, and he could still be ready for Opening Day if cleared for game action after Sunday's outing.