MLB Player News

Foster has been dealing with soreness early in camp but is expected to see game action within the next few days, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but it doesn't appear to be a serious concern with the 26-year-old scheduled to see game action in the near future. Foster made his big-league debut for the White Sox last season and impressed with a 2.20 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB over 28.2 innings.

Montero, the Mariners' presumptive 2021 closer, has allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk while recording three strikeouts across the two innings covering his first two Cactus League appearances.

A late arrival to spring training due to a visa issue may still have Montero a bit off-kilter, as he's been atypically hittable following a mostly effective last two seasons with the Rangers. Montero was charged with a blown save Thursday versus the Dodgers, but the Mariners figure to continue affording the hard-throwing right-hander plenty of spring opportunities to get himself right prior to Opening Day.

McHugh was saddled with the loss in Thursday's Grapefruit League defeat at the hands of Atlanta, allowing an earned run on a solo home run while giving up two other hits and a walk over two innings. He also hit a batter and recorded one strikeout.

The veteran continues to round himself back into shape after missing all of 2020, with Thursday's outing going a bit smoother than his Grapefruit League debut Sunday. McHugh notched a scoreless fifth frame upon entering the game before surrendering the home run in the sixth inning, but he was able to inch closer to the Rays' goal of stretching him out to up to four frames by the end of spring training in order to prepare him for what could be multiple roles.

Fairbanks allowed an earned run on a solo home run and did not record any walks or strikeouts over one inning in his first Grapefruit League action of the spring Thursday.

The right-handed reliever had seen his spring debut delayed by a recent bout of food poisoning. The long ball Fairbanks allowed was aided by wind, but he was otherwise effective. The 27-year-old failed to convert either of the two save chances he saw in 2020, but he proved his mettle as a strong later-inning option with a 2.70 ERA, seven holds and a 32.4 percent strikeout rate.

Hearn hit a batter and struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Athletics.

Hearn hit the first batter he faced then recorded seven consecutive outs during his second Cactus League start. "It was dominant," manager Chris Woodward told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "He blew the doors off some guys. I think he really found himself last year and that has only continued. He looks like he belongs." The left-hander has relied heavily on a fastball-slider combination so far, but he'll get stretched out and face a lineup a second time through in his next outing, and he'll need to make his changeup an effective third pitch.

Pressly allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning against the Mets on Thursday.

Pressly allowed a leadoff single to Michael Conforto but erased the runner with an inning-ending double play. The right-handed closer has made two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances so far and remains on track for Opening Day.

Bummer allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning during Thursday's spring game against the Reds.

This was Bummer's debut this spring. The left-hander has been a high-leverage contributor out of the bullpen, emerging as Chicago's primary setup man during a breakout 2019 campaign. A biceps injury limited him in 2020, but he returns as a setup option from the left side in front of closer Liam Hendriks.

Loaisiga pitched three perfect innings and struck out one batter in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Phillies.

Loaisiga followed starter Gerrit Cole and needed only 24 pitches (17 strikes) to retire nine Phillies hitters. The right-hander has pitched six scoreless innings thus far this spring, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five. Loaisiga is slated to begin the campaign in a flexible relief role.

Staumont threw one inning in a simulated game Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont was delayed arriving to camp for undisclosed reasons and has been ramping up his workload slowly since joining the team. He had thrown bullpens and live batting practice prior to Thursday's simulated game, and the next step will be Cactus League action.

Thielbar (back) has thrown several live sessions against hitters and could appear in a spring training game later this month, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com.

Thielbar suffered a back strain early in training camp, but it looks like he has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. Thielbar's unique curveball (he didn't allow a hit the 94 times he threw it last season) and prowess against left-handed batters (.376 OPS allowed) could help him win a high-leverage role in the bullpen.