MLB Player News

After yielding five earned runs and five walks over his initial 1.1 innings this spring, Joyce has since allowed two earned runs and two walks over his subsequent six frames.

Joyce is expected to be part of the Angels' bullpen on Opening Day, but there may have been some initial doubt about his readiness after he struggled to harness his control in the early portions of Cactus League play. The flamethrower has since settled down, with his most recent outing being a scoreless one-inning appearance against the Cubs on Saturday. Joyce's improved results have coincided with a lowering of his strikeout rate -- over his past five frames, he's struck out a modest three batters. Though he consistently throws a triple-digit fastball, these results may suggest that the key to Joyce's success in the majors may be him learning how to use his impressive heater to generate poor contact rather than always relying on punching batters out.

Thielbar (hamstring) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session without issue Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Thielbar hasn't been able to run at full speed with his injury, but he hasn't had issues pitching. There's still time for him to be ready for Opening Day, but he may need to show he can pitch in a major-league spring training game in the next week.

Lambert does not need surgery on his right shoulder following a visit with Dr. Neal AlAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lambert said of the condition of his shoulder that "there's something there," but whatever he's dealing with will be treated non-surgically. There's no timetable for when the reliever might be ready to pitch in games, but it seems like it will be a while.

The Orioles optioned Ort to minor-league camp Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Ort was acquired by the Orioles on Feb. 19 after being DFA'd by the Phillies. Ort has given up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in spring training. The right-hander will start the 2024 season in the minors.

The Orioles optioned Krook to minor-league camp Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Krook was acquired by the Orioles on Feb. 18 after being designated for assignment by the Yankees five days prior. Krook has allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 4.0 innings in spring training. He'll start 2024 in the minors and look to work his way back to the big leagues.

The Yankees optioned Morris to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Morris arrived in New York in December through a trade for Estevan Florial, and Morris will officially begin the season in Triple-A. The 27-year-old righty surrendered eight runs in just 6.2 innings this spring but could still pitch in the majors in 2024 if the Yankees need a fresh arm for their rotation or bullpen.

The Athletics designated Felipe (elbow) for assignment Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Felipe will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Friday, and he'll now be without a spot on the 40-man. The newly-signed J.D. Davis will fill Felipe's place on the roster.

Manager Stephen Vogt said Saturday that Hentges (finger) will not throw for a few days, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges will avoid throwing for the next few days while the team gathers more information about the swelling in his left finger. Hentges has struggled in spring training, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.0 innings.

Pinto underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow earlier in March, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Pinto will miss all of 2024 and likely a large chunk of 2025 while recovering from the surgery. He got up to Double-A in 2023, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB over 29 innings with Bowie. The 23-year-old was acquired by the Orioles from the Angels in a trade in December of 2020.

Santana is "in the mix" for a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day bullpen, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Santana is currently on a minor-league contract and is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he appears to have a good chance of opening the campaign in the big-league bullpen. Goodman reports that the right-hander is sporting a new cutter (which he learned from ex-Yankee Frankie Montas) this spring, and that the offering has become his go-to pitch. The results for Santana have been promising, as he's allowed just one earned run on nine hits while compiling a 10:0 K:BB over 7.2 innings in Grapefruit League action.