MLB Player News

Alexander has a 3.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and six strikeouts through nine Grapefruit League innings.

Alexander has looked good this spring, and the lefty will definitely have a spot on the 26-man roster coming out of camp. The bigger question is what exactly his role will look like. Alexander has the flexibility to work as a starter and a reliever, and he did a little of both for the Tigers last season when he registered a 3.96 ERA across 36.1 innings. For now, he looks like more of a long reliever, but he could find himself in the rotation if other pitchers struggle or deal with injuries.

Manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Scrubb has no structural damage in his right shoulder and will be sidelined for "three or four days," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 26-year-old exited Friday's spring game with soreness in his right shoulder, and it appears he's only dealing with some inflammation. Scrubb could be back on the mound later in the week if he avoids any further issues.

Cordero (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The 29-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday, so it was only a matter of time before he landed on the 60-day IL. Cordero will miss the entirety of the 2021 campaign and also figures to be sidelined for the start of 2022.

Weems was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

The 28-year-old appeared in nine games for the A's last season and had a 3.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 14 innings, but he'll open 2021 in the minors. Weems should receive a promotion at some point this season as Oakland shuffles its bullpen pieces.

Merryweather (back) threw 34 pitches over two simulated innings Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Merryweather has been dealing with a tight back for most of camp. He's working his way towards game action and is expected to make his next appearance in a Grapefruit League game, but it's not yet clear if he'll have enough time to get up to speed by Opening Day.

Stephan was informed that he's won an Opening Day roster spot Sunday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Stephan was selected in the Rule 5 draft in December and evidently did enough in camp to stick around. He'll have to be kept on the big-league roster all season or be offered back to the Yankees. He's likely ticketed for low-leverage work, as he's yet to advance beyond Double-A and recorded a 5.24 ERA at that level in 12 starts in 2019.

Honeywell (elbow) is expected to start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It will be the 25-year-old's first action against another team since September of 2017, since he's been sidelined by numerous arm injuries. Due to the absence, Honeywell figures to open the season at Triple-A and likely will need to prove his health and effectiveness before receiving a shot in the majors.

Romano has a 2.25 ERA and dominant 9:1 K:BB through four Grapefruit League innings.

The right-hander was enjoying a breakout 2020 before suffering a finger injury, but Romano is healthy again this spring and appears to have picked up where he left off. With Kirby Yates in town, Romano will begin the season in a setup role, but if he can replicate his 36.8 percent strikeout rate over a longer stretch, he'll still have deep-league fantasy value even in formats that don't reward holds.

Stanek allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning in Saturday's spring game against St. Louis.

Stanek has made three spring appearances, giving up one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over three innings. He had a minor role in the Marlins' bullpen in 2020 and is projected to be part of the Astros' bullpen this season, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Beyond closer Ryan Pressly, the pecking order in the bullpen has not received much press and is not well defined. Joe Smith could serve as a setup man while perceived high-leverage options Josh James (hip) and Pedro Baez (not injury related) have not pitched yet this spring.

Naughton (elbow) is slated for a bullpen session Saturday and has been playing catch at 150 feet, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.comreports.

Naughton has been sidelined with a Grade 1 flexor pronator strain in his left elbow since late February, but he has been throwing for over a week and will take the next step in his recovery with Saturday's bullpen. The left-hander is expected to open the campaign in the minors.