MLB Player News

Alexander is competing for one of the Tigers' final bullpen spots to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander is battling fellow lefties Nick Ramirez and Hector Santiago for a role. The former turned in a 4.86 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 53.2 innings last year for the Tigers, working primarily as a starter. His ability to start when needed could help him earn the spot, though he could also begin the season with Triple-A Toledo as rotation depth.

Ramirez is competing for one of the Tigers' final bullpen spots to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Ramirez is battling fellow lefties Tyler Alexander and Hector Santiago for a role. The 30-year-old appeared in 46 games for the Tigers last year and turned in a decent 4.07 ERA across 79.2 innings. That run would seemingly give him a leg up on his competitors, who didn't pitch as well in 2019, but things could change depending on spring training performances.

Alvarado made his first Grapefruit League appearance in Wednesday's loss to the Twins, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Per Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Alvarado, who followed starter Blake Snell, threw 27 pitches, with only 12 of those getting into the strike zone. However, considering the outing served as Alvarado's first taste of game action since Aug. 24, the left-hander took the struggles in stride. "I got close to almost six months without seeing a hitter and not pitching in a game," Alvarado said. "I'm feeling great because I'm feeling the power in my arm. A little bit too quick and too early over my right arm, but everything is good. I'm feeling good."

Harvey (illness) is scheduled to toss a bullpen session Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Harvey is seemingly healthy again after missing time earlier in camp while recovering from the flu. Once he completes the bullpen session, his next step could be pitching in a Grapefruit League game, likely as soon as Sunday.

Edwards has worked on his mechanics this offseason in an effort to rediscover his electric fastball, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Edwards recalls messing with his mechanics early last season by adding a pause in his pitching motion to try to improve his command. This adjustment proved to be unsuccessful as the 28-year-old finished 2019 with a 8.47 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB across only 17 major-league innings with the Cubs and Padres. After signing with Mariners in late November the right-hander told reporters, "I just have to go back to simplifying things and making everything better". Seattle's manager Scott Servais expects to pitch his newly-acquired reliever in some higher-leverage spots and has already complimented the combination of velocity and movement on his pitches. Edwards will look to improve a Mariners' bullpen that finished 22nd in the league with a 4.76 ERA last season.

Romero has missed the last several days of workouts at spring training due to an injury to his right pinkie finger, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Romero was sporting a cast on the finger Thursday after he said he accidentally slammed the digit in a door a few days earlier. He noted that he anticipates resuming a throwing program early next week, so he'll still have a chance at being ready to go for the start of the Pacific Coast League season. Romero covered 72.2 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019, posting a 3.96 ERA and 81:36 K:BB.

The Indians announced Thursday that Clase's MRI revealed a moderate strain of the teres major muscle in his upper back, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. The reliever is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks of activity.

Cleveland intends to evaluate Clase weekly before pinpointing a more precise timetable for his return, but the 21-year-old won't be ready to even start a throwing program until May at the earliest while he remains shut down from activity. It's a disappointing development for Clase, the main prize Cleveland took back in the offseason trade that sent Corey Kluber to the Rangers. The hard-throwing righty was expected to vie for a key setup role for the Tribe in 2020, but the injury now makes it tough to justify drafting him even in AL-only leagues that count holds as a category. With Clase on the shelf, James Karinchak seemingly profiles as the clear top handcuff to closer Brad Hand.

Wells (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wells has been sidelined for most of his first big-league camp with right oblique soreness, but it sounds like he's finally beginning to make some meaningful progress in his recovery. The lefty is hopeful to pitch at some point during the Orioles' Grapefruit League slate before likely opening the season in the Triple-A Norfolk or Double-A Bowie rotation.

Green has been working on adding a curveball to his arsenal, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Green relied almost exclusively on fastballs and sliders last season -- per Statcast, he tossed one of those two pitches 98 percent of the time -- but he has already broken out his new curveball in spring training, according to Wagner. A curve could serve as a devastating contrast to Green's mid-to-upper-90s fastball and help improve upon his elite 33.1 percent strikeout rate.

Garcia is in line to start Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Garcia will make his spring-training debut in a starting role, as he suddenly finds himself in competition for the fifth spot in New York's regular-season rotation following injuries to James Paxton (back) and Luis Severino (elbow). The Yankees have a variety of options to fill the role, but Garcia could strengthen his case with a strong showing Friday.