MLB Player News

Cordero underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cordero was competing for a major-league bullpen spot during spring training, but he'll now miss the entire 2021 season following his surgery. The right-hander posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 26.2 innings during 30 relief appearances last year but will now face an extended recovery timetable.

Smeltzer was optioned to the alternate training site Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old was in camp competing for a rotation spot but has struggled with seven runs allowed over four innings. Smeltzer primarily worked as a reliever for the Twins in 2020 and posted a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings. He'll eventually join Triple-A St. Paul for the start of the minor-league season.

Borucki has posted a 2.25 ERA and 6:0 K:BB through four Grapefruit League innings.

The southpaw began adjusting to a short relief role last season, and Borucki appears to be thriving with the switch. The 26-year-old should open the season as Toronto's top setup option from the left side, potentially making Borucki a strong source of holds in 2021.

Rodriguez is being considered for an Opening Day bullpen spot, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez is one of the Angels' best prospects but has made just three starts over the last three years (all at the High-A level) due to back issues and last year's canceled minor-league season. He evidently impressed enough at the alternate site and in camp this spring that the team thinks he may already be ready to debut. The 22-year-old righty has the stuff of a high-leverage reliever or even a frontline starater, though his injuries and lack of a track record make it hard to predict just how much he can offer the Angels this season.

Brasier (conditioning) isn't ready to pitch in games and is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after being a late arrival to spring training due to a personal matter, and he's still attempting to catch up to Boston's other relievers. The fact Brasier isn't returning from an injury could allow him to miss minimal time, even if he isn't quite ready for the start of the season.

Merryweather (back) is scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game Sunday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

General manager Ross Atkins said earlier in the week the 29-year-old was nearing his Grapefruit League debut, but the right-hander still needs to complete a simulated game. Merryweather is expected to operate as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen once healthy, and he could still be ready for Opening Day if cleared for game action after Sunday's outing.

Heuer earned a save Thursday, striking out three over two scoreless innings against the Royals.

Heuer has not allowed a run or walk over seven Cactus League innings. He was an effective member of the White Sox's bullpen in 2020 and is expected to return in 2021, likely in a middle-relief role. The 24-year-old right-hander has thrown two innings in each of his last two spring appearances.

Quijada has yet to report to camp as a result of visa issues in his native Venezuela, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The extended delay has cost Quijada a chance of competing for a bullpen spot this spring, and the left-hander is now likely to begin the season at the Angels' alternate training site. It is not yet clear when Quijada is expected to be able to join the team.

Fulmer could end up in Detroit's bullpen depending on which pitchers make the Opening Day roster, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Fulmer was exclusively a starter last season, though he never went beyond three innings in a start in his first year back after Tommy John surgery. However, the Tigers have a handful of options for the back of their rotation, including youngsters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, as well as non-roster invitee Julio Teheran. Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena also should be locked into rotation spots. Mize and Skubal could both start the season in the minors, but if they don't, Fulmer might get squeezed from the rotation to make room.

Manaea did not suffer an injury after being struck by a line drive during his start Thursday, Alex Coffey of The Athletic reports.

Manaea was hit on his throwing elbow by a line drive off the bat of Eric Hosmer. However, he continued to pitch after being checked on by the trainer and told the media after the game there is no injury besides a bruise. Manaea recorded five strikeouts across 3.2 innings Thursday and owns a 9:3 K:BB in his first two spring starts (6.2 innings).