MLB Player News

Garcia was reassigned to the Rangers' alternate training site Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Garcia signed with the Rangers in January and was able to work at the main facility during camp, but he'll shift to the team's alternate site ahead of the regular season. The right-hander could be an option to fill in if injuries occur in the bullpen this season, but it's unlikely that he'd be used in high-leverage situations.

Weems was informed Sunday that he'll be on the major-league roster for Opening Day, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Weems was reported as a darkhorse candidate to make the roster early in camp, but he impressed enough to be rewarded with a spot in Oakland's bullpen to begin the season. The 27-year-old has had some control issues in the past but has been able to throw a fastball in the high-90s during camp. The right-hander hasn't pitched at the major-league level during his career, and it's a bit unlikely that he'll be used in many high-leverage situations early on.

Martin (illness) was cleared to participate in team activities Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Martin was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and remains on the list, but he apparently cleared MLB protocol by producing two negative tests. As a result, he'll be able to work with the team ahead of the regular season. Although he won't be able to return in time for Opening Day, it's encouraging that the southpaw is healthy and will be able to take part in baseball activities.

McHugh (elbow) opted out of the 2020 season since his recovery hasn't progressed like he had hoped, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old has been working his way back from an elbow injury and was already ruled out for the start of the season, but he was apparently expected to be on the injured list for a significant portion of the shortened campaign. As a result, McHugh decided his time would be better spent at home with his family amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thornton is likely to begin the season as the Blue Jays' No. 4 starter with Chase Anderson (oblique) sidelined, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 26-year-old was already the frontrunner for the fifth spot in the rotation, but he receives some additional security with Anderson starting the season on the injured list. Thornton made his big-league debut in 2019 and had a 4.84 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 149:61 K:BB over 154.1 innings. Ryan Borucki, Anthony Kay and Nate Pearson remain in competition for the No. 5 spot.

Abreu has been optioned to the Yankees' alternate training site.

As expected, Abreu will not break camp with the big-league club, though he should continue to develop as part of the team's satellite squad. The right-hander could be called over to the big-league club at some point this season if the need for a bullpen arm arises.

Adams is one of 11 relievers that could make the Mariners' 30-man roster, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Adams has a good chance of picking up a few saves, though Yoshihisa Hirano just reported back to camp. This highlights just how crowded the Mariners' bullpen will be, though there's a good chance that saves could be shared by multiple relievers again this season.

Andriese indicated that he has added a cutter and two-seam/sinker to his arsenal now that he has shifted back to starting, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Andriese has utilized both the cutter and the two-seamer in the past, most notably early in his career as a starter with Tampa Bay. The right-hander was used exclusively in relief with Arizona last season and consequently relied almost entirely on his four-seamer (49.6 percent usage) and changeup (37.0 percent usage). Andriese has posted a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 202:63 K:BB over 236.2 innings in 49 career starts.

Yarbrough will start the second game of the season Saturday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Charlie Morton will take the mound Opening Day, and Yarbrough will follow him in the rotation. The 28-year-old started in 14 of his 28 appearances last season in addition to often operating as the primary pitcher behind an opener. Yarbrough had a 4.13 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 117:20 K:BB over 141.2 innings in 2019.

Anderson struck out two of the three batters he faced in the final half-inning of Sunday's intrasquad game, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

He looked strong and pitched as the team's closer in the informal scrimmage. The Rays are not naming a closer, and they will likely give multiple relievers save chances this season, but there is a decent chance Anderson leads the team in saves.