MLB Player News

Herget passed through waivers unclaimed Saturday and will remain with Texas as a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Herget did produce a 3.20 ERA in 19.2 innings last season, but that came with a 17:14 K:BB, so it's hardly a surprise that he wasn't a hot commodity on the waiver wire. He'll remain with the team but is now one step further from returning to the big leagues now that he's off the 40-man roster.

Thornton is stretching out as a starter in camp, though the Blue Jays may wind up using him in a relief role, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton made three starts last season but lasted a combined 5.2 innings and gave up seven runs. He was shut down with an elbow injury, though he's throwing without restrictions to start camp. In a full season as primarily a starter in 2019, his 4.84 ERA certainly didn't turn many heads. A bullpen role is his clearest path to big-league innings this season, though he could wind up remaining stretched out as a starter in the minors.

Yang doesn't have any expectations to start for the Rangers, Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net reports.

Yang, who had been delayed by visa issues, spoke with Korean reporters prior to his trip across the Pacific on Saturday, saying, "I'll be competing for an opportunity just pitch in the big league, not a rotation spot. My goal is to throw a pitch on the big stage." While the Rangers' rotation is short on established arms, the veteran lefty is probably correct in his self-assessment. As a non-roster invitee, it would be a victory for him to just win a roster spot, especially after stumbling to a 4.70 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in the KBO last season. He won't be of much interest to fantasy teams unless he unexpectedly finds himself in a rotation role.

Mayza (elbow) is feeling good after throwing bullpens and live batting practice sessions, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Mayza is almost fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in September of 2019. He's yet to throw on back-to-back days, but he should have time to fully build up by Opening Day. He's only in camp as a non-roster invitee, however, so he may open in the minors even if he proves his health.

Zimmermann will get bulk innings in 2021 and could serve as a starter or reliever for the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Zimmermann made two appearances (one start) in 2020 and pitched at least three innings in both outings. He isn't guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, but manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that the team will continue to get bulk innings during spring training. Zimmermann could serve as a back-end starter to begin the season, but Hyde indicated that the Orioles will also consider him for a bullpen role.

Valdez will be stretched out during spring training in 2021, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Valdez pitched at least two innings in four of his nine relief appearances in 2020, and there's been some speculation that the right-hander could serve as a starter in 2021. Manager Brandon Hyde said that the team will build up his innings during spring training and evaluate his progress at the end of camp. Valdez converted on all three of his save chances and posted a 1.26 ERA and 0.70 WHIP over 14.1 innings in 2020.

Boston manager Alex Cora was noncommittal on naming a closer, a role Barnes held for the final month of 2020, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Barnes has performed a variety of roles over his seven-year career in Boston. He's thrown mostly in high-leverage spots the last four seasons and is expected to be used in the final third of games. Others in the mix at closer are Adam Ottavino, who has experience pitching the ninth inning, and Hirokazu Sawamura (visa issues), who closed in Japan.

Barria has reported to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Barria missed the first several days of camp due to visa issues, but he recently joined the team and is unlikely to be impacted by his brief absence. The right-hander should take on a swingman role for the Angels once again in 2021 after posting a 3.62 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 32.1 innings across seven appearances (five starts) last season.

Hernandez was mentioned as a possible closer by manager Chris Woodward, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez had a breakout season in 2020, sporting a 2.90 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 31 innings. Although he did not have a save opportunity last year, Hernandez often pitched in high-leverage situations earlier in the games for three or more outs. Woodward refused to commit to Jose Leclerc as the team's closer and is mulling over different options for his closer or a no-roles bullpen where usage is determined by game factors.

Leclerc (visa issues) has not yet been named Texas' closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rangers manager Chris Woodward held off on naming a closer. "I'll let you know," Woodward said about Leclerc's 2021 role. "He's [closed] before. I think we have a few guys that we could potentially put down there. I don't think I'm going to name a closer right now." The manager also made comments about using multiple pitchers to close games, including Jonathan Hernandez, who had a breakout season in the bullpen.