MLB Player News

Puk will throw in simulated games Tuesday and Saturday and should get into Cactus League action soon after that, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics are treating Puk with extreme caution -- a sensible plan given that injuries have limited him to just 36.2 innings over the last three years combined. Shoulder issues wiped out the entirety of his 2020 campaign. He's expected to open the year in the bullpen as the team looks to manage his workload.

Yang made his spring debut Sunday, giving up one run on two hits with a strikeout against the Dodgers.

Yang had been delayed by visa issues but is now in camp and competing for a roster spot. A starter in Korea, Yang pitched the final inning of Sunday's game.

Tapia was diagnosed with a strained right oblique Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Tapia was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in October and is in the mix for a bullpen spot, though the injury may take him out of consideration for the Opening Day roster depending on how much time he's forced to miss. He allowed one run in 4.1 innings in his big-league debut last year.

McHugh, making his first game appearance since Aug. 30, 2019 in Sunday's Grapefruit League loss to the Twins, came away encouraged despite a rough one-inning outing, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "Having a little bit of familiarity, being back on a mound where it feels comfortable to me, it meant a lot today," McHugh said. "I didn't like the results, but man, I love being out there. Physically, I felt great. From a feel standpoint, obviously, it's still getting there."

The right-hander's final line -- three earned runs allowed on three hits and a walk over one inning -- was undeniably abysmal, but McHugh was able to make a long-awaited return to the mound and got some robust work in the form of 25 pitches. The most critical takeaway for McHugh, who opted out of last season as a health precaution and while he finished his recovery from a forearm flexor strain, was that he reported feeling good physically after that workload. Manager Kevin Cash, who liked the way McHugh mixed his pitches, noted he plans to build the veteran up to three or four innings this spring "and see where it goes from there."

Yates is expected to make his Blue Jays debut at some point later this week, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Since Yates is coming off fall surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, the Blue Jays have been proceeding slowly with the reliever this spring, but he's thus far steered clear of any setbacks in his throwing program. The right-hander has reportedly looked good in his recent bullpen and live batting practice sessions, and he should soon get the opportunity to pitch in the Grapefruit League. Toronto has yet to name a closer, but Yates' solid track record in the ninth inning coupled with his $5.5 million salary make him the favorite for the role.

Barnes pitched a perfect inning, striking out two, in Sunday's spring game against the Braves.

Barnes made his Grapefruit League debut Sunday, setting down the Braves in order in the fourth inning, including an inning-ending punch-out of Ronald Acuna. "That was impressive," manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "That was good. Velocity was up, I think a tick above last season, which was a good sign." He and Adam Ottavino have been mentioned as candidates to close out games, but Cora has not yet named a set closer.

Ramirez was cleared to rejoin the Mariners for workouts Monday after passing all COVID-19-related protocols, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Ramirez was away from the team for seven days while he waited to clear the protocol. As a reliever, Ramirez won't need much time to ramp up for game action, so the week-long absence shouldn't jeopardize his availability for Opening Day. Ramirez made 16 appearances out of the Seattle bullpen as a rookie last season, logging a 2.61 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:20 K:BB in 20.2 innings while going 3-for-3 in save chances.

Pressley struck out the side on 14 pitches during a scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals.

Pressly made his Grapefruit League debut and was sharp in dispatching St. Louis regulars in a masterful third inning. Ten of 14 pitches landed in the zone, including his breaking ball, he told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Houston's presumptive closer is coming off an uneven 2020 campaign due to elbow soreness and lingering effects of 2019 knee surgery.

Bummer threw a perfect inning in a "B" game Sunday against the Dodgers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Bummer faced opponents for the first time this spring in what turned out to be a bullpen day against the Dodgers. "I was happy to get out there and face their hitters, work on things, throw to [Jonathan] Lucroy and get more familiar with him," Bummer said. "Overall a good day for the first time. Hopefully getting into a game soon." Bummer arrived to camp late after staying back for the birth of a child. That put him slightly behind others, but the left-hander has plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. He's expected to be the primary setup man for closer Liam Hendriks.

Naughton (elbow) is nearing throwing, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Naughton suffered a Grade 1 flexor pronator strain in late February and was originally given a 3-5 week recovery timetable, but he appears to be ahead of schedule given the favorable update. He isn't considered an option for the Opening Day roster, so he'll work with an eye on pitching at the Triple-A level upon his return.