MLB Player News

Wilson retired only one batter (via strikeout) in Wednesday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Pittsburgh, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits.

It's safe to assume that this isn't how Wilson anticipated his first outing of the spring to go. He struck out the first batter he faced, then allowed a solo home run to Jared Oliva. The next three batters reached base (one via error) before Brian Goodwin ended Wilson's appearance with a grand slam to right field. Despite the rough start, the southpaw has a firm hold on a bullpen spot for the Yankees, especially with fellow left-hander Zack Britton out for an extended period due to elbow surgery.

Farmer allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out one.

Farmer allowed two home runs, and he now has a 30.86 ERA across 2.1 innings this spring. The righty is potentially in the mix to close, though he likely projects as more of a setup option. A sluggish performance in the Grapefruit League won't help him move up the bullpen pecking order.

Yates is expected to make his spring debut against the Tigers on Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Yates missed most of the 2020 season due to bone chips in his right elbow, but he signed with Toronto in January and feels fully healthy early in spring training. "I feel like it's behind me. I feel like it's ready to move on. It's full go," Yates told Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Although the Blue Jays haven't yet named a closer for the 2021 campaign, Yates is the favorite for the role given his past success in the ninth inning.

Pivetta allowed one run on three hits and struck out three over three innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Rays.

Pivetta, the frontrunner for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, has allowed two runs in five innings over two Grapefruit League starts. He lamented the inconsistency of his curveball to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, but he was able to get himself back into counts and didn't allow much hard contact. Boston manager Alex Cora described the right-hander's outing as a positive in a game the Red Sox lost 11-3.

Garcia pitched three scoreless innings against Detroit in a Grapefruit League game Tuesday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five.

The performance was a significant step up from Garcia's spring debut, when he allowed a pair of runs in two innings against Philadelphia. The young right-hander has now struck out eight batters across five spring frames as he seeks to cement his place as New York's fifth starter to begin the campaign.

Luetge has pitched three scoreless innings thus far in Grapefruit League action, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out eight.

No Yankees pitcher has been more dominant than Luetge, who has picked up eight of his nine outs via strikeout. The veteran southpaw is not on the 40-man roster and hasn't pitched in the majors since a one-outing stint with Seattle in 2015, so he remains a longshot to break camp with New York. However, Luetge is at least giving the club a reason to keep his name in mind while proving that he still has something left in the tank as he approaches his 34th birthday.

Duffey threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Tuesday's spring-training win over Baltimore. He's given up three runs in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts this spring.

Duffey will factor in the late innings again for the Twins, likely setting up both Taylor Rogers and Alex Colome. However, he could get the final outs of a game occasionally as well. Duffey had a 1.88 ERA with an excellent 34.1 percent strikeout rate and an exemplary 7.3 percent walk rate last season. He should offer value in leagues that count holds (12 last year).

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Fairbanks (illness) is scheduled to make his return to Grapefruit League action Thursday versus the Braves, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Fairbanks was scratched ahead of his scheduled appearance Sunday due to a bout of food poisoning, but Cash indicated that the reliever has since recovered from the ailment and is feeling good again. Though he wasn't among the 12 Rays who recorded saves during the 2020 regular season, Fairbanks picked up three saves during the team's subsequent playoff run. The hard-throwing righty should continue to warrant consideration for end-game duties in 2021, though Cash isn't expected to commit to a primary closer.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged Tuesday that Brasier (conditioning) may not be ready to go for Opening Day, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Following his late arrival at spring training due to a personal matter, Brasier has yet to catch up with Boston's other bullpen arms. Brasier has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, and with Cora indicating that the team won't rush the right-hander back into action, he could be in store for a brief stint on the IL to begin the season while he ramps up. The fact that Brasier isn't dealing with any sort of injury is encouraging, but his absence from Grapefruit League games could take him out of the running for Boston's up-for-grabs closer job. Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes currently look like the frontrunners for the gig.

Leclerc has a clearer path to reclaiming the closer role in Texas after Jonathan Hernandez was diagnosed with a sprained UCL on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc was delayed by visa issues to start camp but has since arrived, though he's yet to pitch in a spring-training game. Though he's saved 29 games in his career, he wasn't a lock to win the closer role, as the last two seasons have seen him struggle to a 4.33 ERA in 2019 and then make only two appearances in an injury-abbreviated 2020. The Rangers' bullpen isn't exactly loaded with proven options, however, and Hernandez was shaping up to be his top competition. It hasn't been officially confirmed that Leclerc will win the job, but his path is now a lot clearer with Hernandez shut down from throwing for four weeks.