MLB Player News

Taylor is one of six healthy relievers considered as locks to serve in Astros' bullpen come Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Taylor was a useful piece in the bullpen last season for Houston, pitching to a 2.18 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 20.2 innings. He's made just three appearances this spring, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings. Two of those appearances have come in the sixth inning and the other one in the seventh, which normally aren't the spots managers deploy high-leverage relievers in early-to-mid spring training contests. He's one of two left-handers projected to make the roster -- Brooks Raley being the other -- which puts him in line for any late-game opportunities that may require a southpaw.

Thornton struck out four over two perfect innings in his first Grapefruit League action of the year Friday against the Tigers.

He threw 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes. Thornton had a delayed start to camp as he recovered from September surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow, so he may not have time to get stretched out for a rotation role despite the team's need in that area, but he could still provide valuable innings right away as the Jays look to cover for the absence of Nate Pearson (groin).

Yates will make his second appearance of the spring Saturday against the Phillies, and Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker described the ninth inning as "his job to lose," Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The team has held off naming one of its big offseason acquisitions as the closer, but with Yates looking healthy in his first spring action, an official announcement should come before camp breaks. The right-hander, who turns 34 next week, is looking to bounce back from a 2020 season cut short by bone spurs in his elbow, but Yates at his best is among the best relievers in baseball, as he racked up 53 saves with a 1.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 191:30 K:BB over 123.2 innings for the Padres in 2018-19.

Sandlin has been informed that he won't make Cleveland's Opening Day roster, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Sandlin will remain in major-league camp for developmental purposes, but he'll begin the 2021 campaign in the minors. The right-hander has made three relief appearances this spring and has allowed one run and two walks while striking out five over 2.2 scoreless innings.

Hatch has been diagnosed with mild right elbow inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Hatch underwent an MRI after leaving Wednesday's spring game against the Yankees with a right elbow issue. The Blue Jays are still gathering information on his injury, and the right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable for his return.

Texans manager Chris Woodward is not yet ready to name Leclerc the team's closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc, who gave up three hits in 1.1 innings Thursday, has experienced a drop in fastball velocity as he works his way back from a shoulder injury in 2020. Woodward mentioned Matt Bush and Ian Kennedy as possible closers if Leclerc is unable to lock in the job.

Garcia held Philadelphia scoreless and hitless and struck out a pair over three innings in a Grapefruit League contest Friday, but he also walked four batters.

To his credit, Garcia improved as his outing wore on, going from three walks in the first inning to one in the second before finishing with a 1-2-3 third frame. He also held the Phillies without a run to improve his spring ERA to 1.64. As good as Garcia has been, Domingo German has been even better with nine scoreless innings and a 13:1 K:BB. That may give German the inside edge for the Yankees' No. 5 starter role, though that decision has yet to be announced.

Soto averaged 99.5 mph on his fastball in Friday's Grapefruit League appearance and hit 100.9 mph, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Soto was overpowering in his clean inning of work against the Blue Jays, tossing 13 pitches (eight for strikes) and striking out one. Manager A.J. Hinch said the lefty was "really in control of his inning," and Soto looks like the frontrunner for the closer role in Detroit at this point. He saved two games for the Tigers last season.

Scrubb exited Friday's spring game against the Nationals due to right shoulder soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb came on in the top of the third inning Friday and issued two walks while striking out one during the frame. However, he gave up a home run to lead off the fourth inning and the left the game with a trainer. The severity of his injury isn't yet known.

Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Abreu was in major-league camp to begin spring training but will now join the minor-league squad ahead of the regular season. The right-hander made three Grapefruit League appearances this year and allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings.