MLB Player News

Sandlin has allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout over three Cactus League innings.

Sandlin lost his high-leverage role and stumbled late in 2023, but he's back with the Guardians in 2024. The right-hander will likely have to earn a late-innings role this year, as the offseason addition of Scott Barlow means the team has its preferred options in place for the eighth and ninth innings, with Emmanuel Clase as closer. Sandlin went 5-5 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB over 60 innings last season, and he added 10 holds.

Hentges has allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over three Cactus League innings.

Hentges has a shaky grasp on a high-leverage role, so these aren't great results for the southpaw. He had a 3.61 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB over 52.1 innings last season, with all of those marks being worse than his results in 2022. Hentges has 23 holds over the last two years and will likely still see some late-inning work if he can get himself on track in April.

Barlow has allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over three Cactus League innings.

Barlow's a veteran, so his rough start to spring shouldn't lead to too much panic. He struggled a bit in 2023, pitching to a career-worst 4.37 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 79:34 K:BB over 68 innings between the Royals and the Padres. His 3.19 FIP last year suggests he was somewhat unlucky, which is a silver lining. Barlow offers ninth-inning experience -- he has 56 career saves and has also added 48 holds. Despite the spring struggles, he should serve as the primary setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase.

Morgan has allowed one run on one hit and struck out three over three Cactus League innings.

Morgan seems like a safe bet to make the Guardians' bullpen out of camp, though he'll likely fill a middle-relief role. He made a career-high 61 appearances last season, pitching to an okay 4.01 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB with a save and seven holds. Emmanuel Clase is firmly locked in as the closer and Scott Barlow seems to be the top setup man heading into 2024.

Heasley has allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with one strikeout over three Grapefruit League innings.

Heasley's given up one home run. The 27-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Orioles in a trade from the Royals in December. Assuming the Orioles carry just one multi-inning option in the bullpen to begin 2024, Heasley appears to be behind Keegan Akin for that role, though both players figure to be part of the organization's plans this season.

Akin has struck out four and walked one without allowing a hit or a run over four innings across three Grapefruit League games.

Akin and Jonathan Heasley appear to be in contention for a multi-inning spot in the Orioles' bullpen. Both players will likely feature at times this season, though neither is set for a fantasy-friendly role. Akin struggled with a 6.85 ERA over 23.2 innings last season and ended the year with a back injury, which doesn't appear to be a concern in 2024. His 2.95 FIP and .434 BABIP in 2023 suggest he was vastly unlucky, which could lead to a bounce-back campaign ahead.

Baumann has struck out two without allowing a baserunner over two innings in Grapefruit League play.

Baumann made the full-time move to the bullpen last season. Ironically, that led to him collecting 10 wins, his most in a single season at any level since he had 13 victories in 2018 between Single-A and High-A. Last season's elevated win count was likely an anomaly -- Baumann's most probable to pitch in middle relief, making favorable decisions hard to forecast. He also had six holds, a 3.76 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 61:33 K:BB over 64.2 innings in 2023, numbers that could suggest regression is on the horizon.

Baker has allowed a hit, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over 2.2 scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play.

Baker had 11 holds, a 4-3 record and three blown saves over 46 appearances last season, pitching to a 3.60 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He can strike out over a batter per inning while usually serving in a middle-innings role as part of a bridge to the closer. The Orioles have a number of high-leverage options available, and Baker could find himself in that mix if he can carry his success from spring into the regular season, assuming he makes the roster.

Brash (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash made 25 throws and didn't have any issues. He will continue playing catch every other day in order to get built back up as he works his way back from medial right elbow inflammation. Brash will begin the season on the injured list and could miss several weeks as he deliberately rebuilds stamina.

Santos (lat) will long-toss from 150 feet Tuesday and might be cleared to throw off a mound in a few days, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos developed right lat soreness early on in camp and resumed throwing a week ago. The reliever should have time to ramp up for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks, but it's going to be close.