MLB Player News

Because his role on the team is already defined, White Sox closer David Robertson is not expected to see "a ton of opportunities" during the Cactus League season, according to ESPN.

"Even talking to him, he doesn't need a lot of appearances to really be ready," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think more goes on what he does right now (in workouts before games). I know he's not going to sit there and have 20 appearances in spring training just to be ready. I would say 10, or less. Really it's up to him. He's been around long enough to understand what he needs to be ready."

Robertson signed four-year, $46 million deal with the White Sox this offseason, and is entering camp with high expectations. He converted 39 of 44 save opportunities in 2014 for the Yankees, registering a 3.08 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over 64 1/3 innings of work.

"I really ease into spring training," Robertson said. "We've got 45 days here to get ready. If I can’t be ready in 45 days, there's something wrong. I look at it as a chance to get out here and slowly get yourself acclimated and get back to playing baseball. Obviously I've done things in the offseason to get my body to where it needs to be. It's just a matter of getting back on the field and getting in tune with everything."

Relief pitcher Ryan Pressly was able to crack the Twins' roster in 2013 only to spend most of last season in the minors, thanks to three minor-league options he had left. 

This spring training, Pressly is looking to do enough to prove he deserves a spot on the Twins roster once camp is over. 

"We'll see how everything kind of plays out," Pressly said. "It's going to be interesting. You've got guys like [Michael] Tonkin and Lester [Oliveros] who are going to come out of the gates swinging. I just have to control what I can control. So, it's about who shows up and who has a good spring, and I'm hoping I have a good spring like I did in 2013."

With Triple-A Rochester, Pressly posted a 2.98 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. When he was called up to the Twins in July, he posted a 2.86 ERA in 25 games. 

Astros reliever Josh Fields, who missed a bullpen session on Monday with a hamstring issue, returned to the mound Tuesday for a rescheduled session, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that Fields was a full-go and did not experience any discomfort on Tuesday.

"Well, Fields doesn't really downshift," Hinch said. "If he was feeling anything, he doesn't show it. So he looked great. He looked the same as he did a few days ago. And he said he felt great. He went through the whole program, including some of the conditioning. He has one gear, and he throws it.

"I think he's fine. We'll modify his conditioning a touch just to ensure it, but that bullpen didn't give any indication that there's a lingering issue."

Athletics prospect Sean Nolin is frustrated his recovery from sports hernia surgery is not going as quickly as he hoped, per the Contra Costa Times.

“The last thing I wanted to do was be the guy in the training room,’’ Nolin said Tuesday. “I’m coming off surgery that took place three months ago. The recovery time is supposed to be 6-8 weeks, but I guess that’s not for athletes.’’

Nolin doesn't have a timetable for when he might be cleared for full activity.

“There’s an opportunity here,’’ he said. “But I can’t throw off a mound yet. It’s not like I’m doing nothing. I’m still doing all the other workouts and I’m throwing my 180 feet, so I’m keeping my arm strong. Once I’m ready to go, things should be fine.’’

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, threw 29 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He also threw some changeups from flat ground.

Moore is expected to be placed on the disabled list, and the Rays aren't expecting his return until June at the earliest.

Rays pitchers Alex Colome and Ronald Belisario have not reported to camp due to visa issues, according to the Tampa Tribune. 

The club expects Belisario to resolve his issue shortly. It appears it may take Colome slightly longer before he's able to report to camp. "We're at the mercy of what’s going on over there, but all of our reports say it shouldn’t be that long," manager Kevin Cash said.

Colome posted a 2.66 ERA over 23 2/3 innings last year. Belisario put up a 5.56 ERA over 66 1/3 innings. 

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez is making a push to join the starting rotation this year, even though he doesn't know if he's earned it yet.

"I think I opened eyes enough, but I don't think I did enough because I didn't keep it," Chavez said at Spring Training on Monday. "Now, if I get it, I gotta keep it. That's my mentality. I wanna ride it out."

Chavez reported to camp a bit heavier than he ended the 2014 season, weighing it at 170 pounds after finishing last year at 157.

"I feel way stronger," he said. "That's such a cliche thing for me to say, but for my size, it's a huge deal, and I can tell just by playing catch, the early side sessions, the way the ball's coming out, it just feels like I don't have to use anymore extra effort now that I've built all that muscle."

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago feels like he's "earned a spot" in the team's rotation, according to MLB.com.

"In my eyes, I feel like it," Santiago said. "They probably want a lot more out of me, but I feel like I did well enough in the second half." After a tough first half, in which he posted a 4.50 ERA, Santiago did improve in the second half, putting up a 2.98 ERA over 63 1/3 innings. 

While Santiago has the most experience, he's expected to be pushed by the team's youngsters. "There's going to be some competition and we're going to see how it plays out," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said.

Santiago posted a 3.75 ERA over 127 1/3 innings last year. 

Astros reliever Josh Fields skipped his bullpen session Monday after feeling tightness in his left hamstring Sunday, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. However, he isn't expected to be sidelined for long, per the Houston Chronicle.

“Fields is going to throw probably tomorrow or the next day,” Hinch said. “Just a small little hamstring tightness. We certainly went on the side of caution. There’s no concern, he did all the other drills, he did bunt plays, he did PFPs.”

Orioles RHP Ryan Webb credits October shoulder surgery for helping him to lose weight. 

Webb, who arrived at spring training weighing 245 pounds last season, reported to Orioles camp at 228 this year. 

After surgery to tighten the capsule in his left shoulder, Webb didn't have much appetite. "I had the surgery, so I took a couple weeks off and that actually helped because I didn't eat as much then," he told MASN's Roch Kubato.

Webb had regular rehab work at Camden Yards, which helped him drop the weight. In addition to regular workouts, he began drinking juice and cut down on bread and fats.  

Webb went 3-3, with a 3.83 ERA in 51 games last year.