MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash said Honeywell (elbow) will throw bullpen sessions Friday and early next week before the Rays decide on the next step in his rehab program, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Honeywell is on the comeback trail after undergoing a procedure in mid-December to address mild discomfort in his right elbow. The 25-year-old is said to be progressing well, but the Rays are likely inclined to bring him along slowly, considering that he hasn't thrown a pitch in an official game in any of the past three seasons. Before requiring his latest procedure, Honeywell underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, another surgery in 2019 after fracturing his right elbow, and a nerve decompression procedure last May.

Pivetta allowed one run on one hit while striking out one over two innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Twins.

Pivetta allowed a wind-blown home run to Mitch Garver in the first inning but was sharp otherwise. He retired six of eight batters, which included an error behind him, as he took the first step toward winning a spot in the rotation. The right-hander prepared for this opportunity during the offseason and could end up as Boston's fourth or fifth starter.

The Angels are waiting to find out whether Barria will be granted an extra year of minor-league options before determining whether he'll open the season on the big-league roster or in the minors, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Barria made five starts during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, and the organization could elect to have him stretch out in the minors to begin the 2021 season to increase its rotation depth. However, that scenario is dependent on the right-hander having another year of options. If Barria is determined to be out of options, he'll need to be placed on the active roster and would likely come out of the bullpen to start the campaign.

Nelson is viewed by the Yankees as an option for both long and short relief, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "I'm quite certain he can impact our bullpen in a short situation but also have the ability to give us innings as well," manager Aaron Boone stated Monday.

Nelson was primarily a starter in the minor leagues, but he came out of the bullpen for all 11 of his appearances with New York last season. The 25-year-old isn't seen as a contender for a starting role but has a shot to break camp as a member of the team's bullpen, which would offer the Yankees situational flexibility.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli says both Alex Colome and Rogers are line to finish "a lot of games" this season and he is unlikely to give any pitcher the title of closer, MLB.com reports. Rogers threw a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in his spring debut Sunday.

Rogers has led the Twins in saves the past two seasons, but he could be the secondary option to finish the ninth inning after the Twins signed Alex Colome in free agency. Rogers could still share save chances as Baldelli has ignored traditional closer patterns. However, Rogers may be used more frequently earlier in games to face key lefties.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli says both Colome and Taylor Rogers are in line to finish "a lot of games" this season and he is unlikely to give any pitcher the title of closer, MLB.com reports. Colome struggled in his spring debut for the Twins on Thursday, giving up four runs and a home run in one inning.

We wouldn't be worried about Thursday's performance as Colome is a veteran just getting in work early in the spring. The bigger issue for fantasy managers is trying to discern the bullpen pattern and Baldelli didn't give any hints. It would seem likely Colome will be the primary option in the ninth inning, especially with Rogers likely to face key lefties before the final outs, but Baldelli has mostly managed his bullpen in his career without regard for the save statistic.

Rodriguez struck out both batters he faced Tuesday versus Cincinnati.

According to Kyle Glaser of Baseball America, Rodriguez hit 98 mph on the radar gun and also used his breaking ball effectively. Not only did the Angels' top pitching prospect whiff both batters he faced, he did so on only six pitches -- five of which were swinging strikes. Perhaps most impressively, one of those batters was Joey Votto, who owns a career 17.8 strikeout rate. Rodriguez was recently named a candidate for a call-up in 2021, and it's easy to see why the Angels are so high on him given the results of his spring debut.

Mata (triceps) will undergo an MRI on Thursday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Mata was scratched from relief work Wednesday due to right triceps soreness, and he'll undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury. The right-hander isn't expected to make the team's Opening Day roster, but he could make his major-league debut at some point this season if he's fully healthy.

Stiever will stay stretched out and will serve as starting depth in 2021, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Stiever made two starts for the White Sox during the abbreviated 2020 season and allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three over 6.1 innings. Although he struggled over a limited sample last year, manager Tony La Russa called the right-hander a "future rotation fixture" Wednesday and said that he has no plans to use him as a reliever.

Lambert (forearm) will stay stretched out and should serve as starting depth during the 2021 season, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Lambert missed most of the 2020 campaign due to a right forearm strain, but he threw a live bullpen session Wednesday. Although he served as a reliever in each of his first two major-league appearances last year, manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that the team intends to use him as starting depth while calling him a "future rotation fixture." La Russa said he has no plans to make him a reliever heading into the season, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.