MLB Player News

Manaea, who allowed an earned run on three hits and a walk while recording four strikeouts over three innings in a Cactus League win over the Reds on Saturday, saw his fastball top out at 94 mph during the outing, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The radar-gun reading is particularly relevant when considering Manaea's velocity was down in recent seasons as he focused on improving his command. Manaea was able to combine both power and location consistently Saturday, and his ability to keep the fastball at no less than 93 mph was partly a testament to an offseason workout regimen that focused on mobility and durability.

Foster retired one of the five hitters he faced in his Cactus League debut during Saturday's 6-5 win over the Angels, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks.

According to James Fegan of The Athletic, Foster said that a tweaked groin was behind his delayed start to spring training, but he appears to be healthy again after the White Sox cleared him to make his first appearance of 2021. Foster attributed his poor results Saturday to relying too much of his remodeled slider, so he'll look to iron things out over his remaining handful of relief appearances before Opening Day. Foster was a key piece in the White Sox bullpen as a rookie last season, posting a 2.20 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 28.2 innings.

Graveman is one of the relievers the Mariners plan to utilize in "the highest-leverage innings" of games this coming season, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The versatile veteran's career has hit several rough patches over the last three seasons in the form of a 2018 Tommy John surgery that led to a missed 2019 and a benign spinal tumor that caused him to miss part of the 2020 campaign. Graveman finally rediscovered his stride when he returned as a reliever late last season, with his fastball velocity even ticking up to career-high levels (96-97 mph). That heater is part of what makes him a potentially effective late-inning asset again this season, and it worked well for him through his first two scoreless Cactus League appearances before he allowed four earned runs on four hits and a walk over an inning in his third outing Wednesday.

Honeywell (elbow) said he was pleased with how he pitched Saturday during his first live batting practice session of spring training. "That was sick, that was awesome. Had the fastball going, had all the secondary stuff going for the first time in a while, so kind of got the reactions I was looking for," Honeywell said, referring to teammates who observed the throwing session.

Facing hitters marked a significant milestone for Honeywell, who has been sidelined for much of the past three seasons due to an assortment of arm injuries. According to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network, manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that he doesn't expect Honeywell to be ready to pitch in any games during the Grapefruit League season, but the skipper indicated he was impressed with the right-hander, who sported a fastball that sat around 92-to-94 miles per hour and touched 95. Once fully cleared, Honeywell will likely open his season at Triple-A Durham.

Cisnero has allowed two runs across 2.1 innings in Grapefruit League action. He's given up one hit and three walks while striking out three.

Cisnero was tagged for two runs in a third of an inning in his most recent outing Friday, but he had pitched two scoreless innings in his previous two outings. The righty is in the mix to close for Detroit, though he's likely behind Gregory Soto and Bryan Garcia at this point. However, no one in the Detroit bullpen has clearly established themselves as a dominant closer, so Cisnero could definitely get some save opportunities this season. He logged a solid 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2020, though he blew his only two save chances and has yet to convert a save in the majors in seven tries.

The Twins optioned Gibaut to their minor-league camp Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The hard-throwing righty was hit hard in his lone appearance in Grapefruit League play -- he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over one inning March 2 against the Braves. The poor showing was enough to end his long-shot bid for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen.

Jimenez has allowed one earned run across 2.2 innings so far in Grapefruit League action. He's given up two hits and two walks while striking out two.

Jimenez put zeroes on the board in his first two spring outings but hit a rough patch Saturday, allowing three runs (one earned) on a hit, a hit batter and two walks while recording just two outs. The righty has been known for his inconsistency the past few seasons, so it'd be nice to see him string together a few better outings after Saturday's dud. Jimenez is potentially in the mix to close for Detroit, though Gregory Soto and Bryan Garcia are likely ahead of him in the pecking order at this point. Jimenez led the Tigers with five saves in six opportunities last season, though he also posted a 7.15 ERA across 22.2 innings.

The Twins reassigned Coulombe to their minor-league camp Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Coulombe, who was attending big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee, is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul to begin 2021. The 31-year-old lefty boasts 155 games of big-league experience, so he could be on the short list for a promotion if the Twins need a lefty reliever at any point.

Soto has allowed one run across 2.2 innings so far in Grapefruit League action. He's walked three and struck out four.

Soto is walking too many batters in the early going, but he's also exhibiting his overpowering stuff with the four strikeouts. The lefty is likely the top option to close in Detroit, as he has greater strikeout potential than fellow reliever Bryan Garcia. However, no one in the Tigers' bullpen has really established themselves as a dominant closer, so it's possible that new manager A.J. Hinch mixes and matches for a bit, at least until someone stands out. Soto saved two games in three chances last season.

The Twins optioned Duran to their minor-league camp Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Along with Duran, fellow pitchers Dakota Chalmers, Jordan Balazovic and Bailey Ober were also optioned as Minnesota made its first cuts of spring training. The Twins are expected to send the 23-year-old fireballer to Double-A Wichita or Triple-A St. Paul to continue his development as a starter, though Duran could make his big-league debut as a reliever once he's ultimately called up from the minors.