MLB Player News

The Angels were granted another option year on Barria by an independent arbiter Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The arbiter's ruling indicated that last year's abbreviated campaign should not count toward one of Barria's three option years. The decision is significant in that it gives the team valuable roster flexibility. The right-hander can now be moved freely between the minors and majors without being subjected to waivers, which increases the likelihood that he will open the campaign at the Angels' alternate training site.

Hearn will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has made five appearances in spring training and given up five earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and six walks over 10.2 innings. Hearn's exact role remains unclear, as the Rangers have floated the idea of utilizing tandem starters at the back end of the rotation, but he'll at least have a spot on the major-league roster.

Anderson began dealing with right elbow tightness last week and was throwing about 90-91 mph Wednesday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The elbow issue apparently first surfaced March 17 and led the 30-year-old to take a few days off. He returned to game action Wednesday throwing about four ticks below his usual fastball velocity. Anderson wasn't throwing at max effort, but manager Kevin Cash still admitted "there's a level of concern." The team plans to see how the right-hander looks Thursday, and he could undergo further evaluation if the elbow remains an issue.

Palumbo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old dealt with some back spasms and appeared in only two Cactus League games since making his debut March 4. Palumbo should open the season as a member of Round Rock's starting rotation.

Cleveland informed Shaw on Wednesday that he made the Opening Day roster, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old signed as a non-roster invitee in early February but will now be added to the big-league roster after allowing three runs with a 13:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings during spring training. Shaw's could work his way into a high-leverage role if he continues to put up similar numbers in the regular season.

The Yankees reassigned Barraclough to their minor-league camp Wednesday.

Barraclough was previously a high-leverage reliever for the Marlins as recently as the 2018 season, but his effectiveness has waned over the past two years. After being granted his release from the Padres last summer, Barraclough didn't appear in affiliated ball in 2020, and he'll likely have to prove himself at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before garnering a serious look with the Yankees.

Scrubb (shoulder) isn't likely to be ready for Opening Day, Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610 reports.

Scrubb has been sidelined over the past few days due to right shoulder inflammation, but he could return to the mound soon once the inflammation subsides. However, manager Dusty Baker revealed Wednesday that Scrubb likely won't be ready for game action by the start of the regular season. A timetable for him to make his season debut isn't yet known.

White Sox manager Tony LaRussa said Wednesday that Hendriks has been dealing with kidney stones this spring and has been limited to three Cactus League appearances as a result, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

LaRussa doesn't seem overly worried about Hendriks' medical situation, and the fact that the White Sox haven't shut him down from throwing adds credence to the team's belief that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. Hendriks was able to complete a bullpen session of 25-to-30 pitches Wednesday and is tentatively scheduled to pitch in a game this weekend. Assuming he's able to do that, Hendriks is poised to open the season as the closer for what looks to be one of baseball's top teams, at least on paper.

Manager Aaron Boone said the MRI that Wilson (shoulder) underwent Tuesday revealed "nothing actionable."

Wilson has been dealing with left shoulder tightness since leaving Monday's spring game with a trainer. The southpaw will receive an oral anti-inflammatory medication over the next several days and will resume a throwing program following his treatment. While it appears unlikely that Wilson will be available for Opening Day, he seems to have avoided a serious injury and is currently considered day-to-day.

Leiter agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers earlier this month, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Leiter returns to affiliated ball after having most recently pitched for the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2020. He previously made 47 appearances at the big-league level between Philadelphia and Toronto in 2017 and 2018, but he hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2019. He'll likely open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Toledo or Double-A Erie in his new organization.