MLB Player News

Pardinho has no restrictions to begin spring training following Tommy John surgery, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pardinho underwent the procedure back in February of last year and missed the entire 2020 season while rehabbing. He may not be fully ready for game action until a month or two into the season, but it appears as though he's set for a fairly normal spring buildup. When he does eventually see game action, it won't come anywhere near the big-league level, as he's yet to pitch above Low-A.

Gibaut cleared waivers Friday and will remain in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee.

Gibaut was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for new signing Matt Shoemaker. It's not particularly surprising that he went unclaimed, as he owns a 6.08 ERA and a 15.4 percent walk rate in 26.2 career innings at the major-league level.

General manager Ross Atkins said Friday that Thornton (elbow) is beginning spring training with no restrictions, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

The 27-year-old was able to avoid Tommy John surgery and instead had loose bodies removed from his right elbow at the start of September, but he's ready to go for the start of spring workouts. Thornton struggled before being shut down in 2020 with seven runs and 15 hits allowed over 5.2 innings, and he faces long odds of cracking the Blue Jays' starting rotation to open 2021.

General manager Ross Atkins said Friday that Romano (finger) is beginning spring training with no restrictions, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

The 27-year-old missed the entirety of September and was left off the roster for the AL Wild Card Series due to a sprained finger, but he's a full go for the start of spring training. Romano had a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 14.2 innings during 2020 before the injury, and he's expected to open 2021 as the setup man for closer Kirby Yates (elbow).

Manager Kevin Cash said Honeywell (elbow) looked good in a short bullpen session Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 25-year-old underwent a minor elbow procedure in mid-December, but he may be ready for the start of spring games Feb. 27 given he's already throwing bullpen sessions. Honeywell was once one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, but he hasn't pitched in a game since September 2017 and has undergone four surgeries in that span.

Giles (elbow) will not pitch this season under any circumstances, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Giles underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of September last year. If he winds up on the short end of the recovery timeline, he'd have had at least an outside chance of making an appearance or two very late in the year, especially if the Mariners managed to make the playoffs. The team ruled that out Friday however, with manager Scott Servais saying, "We will not let that happen."

Yang received his work visa and is expected to travel to Arizona this weekend, Daniel Kim of MBC Sports+ reports.

The 32-year-old missed out on the start of spring training due to some minor issues, but it appears he won't end up missing a significant chunk of camp. Yang signed with the Rangers last week as a non-roster invitee after spending the first 14 seasons of his career in Korea.

Hendriks threw his first bullpen session Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Hendriks got comfortable with catcher Yasmani Grandal, who told the pitcher that he was tipping pitches in an at-bat that resulted in the catcher hitting a home run off Hendriks during Game 2 of last year's playoff series between Oakland and Chicago. "So that's fun," said Hendriks with a broad smile. "It's pretty much the most productive home run I've given up, so there's that." Hendriks said he wasn't taking it for granted that he would be the White Sox's closer, but it's almost certain he will work the ninth inning when available.

Munoz (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Munoz underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2020 and is still in the midst of his rehab. He has been able to throw bullpen sessions in the early portions of spring training and appears on track for approximately a June return. Munoz's placement on the injured list made room on the 40-man roster for James Paxton.

Farmer is one of several options to close out games for the Tigers to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Farmer has been a steady if not spectacular bullpen option for the Tigers, recording a 3.74 ERA across the past two seasons. He's ostensibly a potential closer for new manager A.J. Hinch, but the more likely scenario is that he settles into a more familiar setup role in front of someone like Gregory Soto or Bryan Garcia.