MLB Player News

Sborz (knee) struck out one over a scoreless inning in Wednesday's spring game against the Reds.

Wednesday marked the first time in two weeks that Sborz pitched in a game environment. His 4.50 spring ERA is clouded by his first outing -- two runs in one inning -- but he's been unscored upon in three straight appearances, including 1-2-3 efforts the last two times out. Sborz will fill a high-leverage role in 2024.

The Royals optioned Veneziano to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Veneziano threw 2.1 scoreless frames in the majors at the very end of last season but struggled to find his footing during spring training, surrendering seven earned runs in just 6.1 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw turned in a 4.22 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 89.2 innings at Omaha last season, and he could return to the big leagues should Kansas City's pitching staff run into depth issues during the season.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Zerpa will begin the season in the Royals' bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Twelve of Zerpa's 15 MLB appearances last season came out of the bullpen, and he'll officially reprise his role as a multi-inning reliever in 2024. A strong start to the regular season could help the 24-year-old southpaw move into the rotation, but Zerpa would have to turn things around after giving up seven earned runs across 9.2 innings this spring.

Brebbia (calf) went through fielding drills Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It comes one day after Brebbia pitched an inning in a minor-league game. Fielding his position was how Brebbia strained his right calf back in late February, so it's a good sign that he got through it Wednesday with no apparent issues. However, the reliever's readiness for Opening Day remains very much in question.

Alcala was removed from a Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday versus the Tigers with a right hand injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The reliever had a comebacker deflect off his pitching hand before going into his glove. He initially stayed in, but it affected the grip of his pitches, so he was removed. Consider Alcala day-to-day for now.

The Orioles optioned Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi has pitched well this spring, allowing just two runs with a 9:0 K:BB over seven innings, but that wasn't enough to crack the Opening Day bullpen. The left-handed reliever will head to Norfolk for now while waiting for another shot with the big club.

Marsh could be considered the favorite to open the season as the Royals' fifth starter, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Jordan Lyles came into camp as the favorite for the gig but has been slowed by lower-back tightness. While Lyles is healthy now and slated to start Thursday's Cactus League game, he might not be built up enough to begin the season in the rotation. Meanwhile, Marsh has dazzled with a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 14 spring innings. Daniel Lynch is also in the mix for the No. 5 spot.

Murphy is expected to require season-ending surgery to repair a UCL tear in his left elbow, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Murphy will receive a second opinion first just to be sure, but the expectation is that he'll need an operation. It's unclear at this point whether it will be Tommy John surgery or perhaps an internal brace procedure, but either one would knock him out for the duration of the 2024 season.

Pop could break camp in the big-league bullpen if Jordan Romano (elbow) or Erik Swanson (forearm) need to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pop still has minor-league options remaining, so it was expected he would begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo, but there may be a need for him right away to begin the campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander made 15 appearances for Toronto in 2023, and while he struck out 14 batters in 13.2 innings, six walks and four homers allowed contributed to a 6.59 ERA. Pop would work in low-leverage situations should he begin the campaign in the majors.

Pearson's chances of breaking camp on the big-league roster would improve significantly if Jordan Romano (elbow) or Erik Swanson (forearm) need to begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The one-time top prospect appeared to be on the outside looking in for a spot in the bullpen this spring, but the Blue Jays could have one or two unexpected vacancies to fill. Pearson still wouldn't be expected to handle a high-leverage role, but a hot start to the campaign could change his usage. The 27-year-old right-hander has posted a 9:3 K:BB through seven spring innings and has been working a splitter into his repertoire in camp as a complement to his premium fastball, but ultimately Pearson's control and command will determine if he can establish himself as a reliable big-league arm.