MLB Player News

Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

It's possible the session is postponed due to rainy conditions in Florida, but if not, it will be the first time Jansen has faced hitters this spring as he works his way back from right lat soreness. The 36-year-old closer shouldn't require too many Grapefruit League appearances to prep for Opening Day, so he has plenty of time to get ready as long as he avoids setbacks.

The Red Sox optioned Walter to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Walter has had a good spring, yielding just one run with a 4:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings. The Red Sox don't have room for him in the rotation or bullpen, though, so he'll begin the season at Worcester, where he'll likely serve as a starter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called Holmes "our closer" following Tuesday's spring training loss to the Mets, per the New York Post.

Holmes began last season in a diverse high-leverage role, mixing in closing duties with work in the seventh and eighth innings. However, all but two of his 28 outings following the All-Star break came in the ninth frame or later. Boone's comments Tuesday suggest that Holmes is safely entrenched as the Yankees' closer ahead of the coming campaign, and he could easily challenge the career-best 24 saves he racked up last season if he remains in that role throughout the year.

White (elbow) has been cleared for all baseball activities and may return to game action this weekend, MLB.com reports.

White has been dealing with right elbow soreness for a few weeks, but it seems like a return to Grapefruit League play is imminent. The righty made his MLB debut last season, logging a 5.09 ERA across 40.2 innings, and he should have a shot at a middle-relief role to start this year assuming he's healthy.

Smith struck out two batters over a perfect inning in his lone Cactus League appearance.

Smith is seen as the frontrunner for saves in the Royals' heavily remodeled bullpen group. He's topped 20 saves in three of the last five seasons and also has an extensive history in a setup role when he's not closing. The 34-year-old southpaw likely won't need much spring action to be ready for the campaign. Manager Matt Quatraro hasn't officially designated bullpen roles yet, but Smith's experience makes him the logical ninth-inning choice, though there are plenty of other options that could step up if this becomes a committee or performance-based closing situation.

Anderson has allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts over three Cactus League innings.

Anderson was traded from Atlanta to Kansas City in November. The 33-year-old right-hander has nine saves and 37 holds under his belt over four major-league campaigns, having missed 2022 after undergoing internal brace surgery on his elbow. Anderson figures to be in the high-leverage mix for the Royals this season, though bullpen roles are up for grabs after the team's aggressive remodeling of its bullpen in the offseason.

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

Stratton signed with the Royals in December. The 33-year-old figures to have a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster, at least as a multi-inning relief option. He posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 81:25 K:BB, one save and seven holds over 82.2 innings between the Cardinals and the Rangers last season. Stratton has occasionally been a setup man, but he tends to allow too many baserunners to be truly effective in a late-inning role.

McArthur has allowed a run on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out two over three Cactus League innings.

He had four saves late in 2023, but the offseason addition of Will Smith will obstruct McArthur's path to the ninth inning. McArthur had a 4.63 ERA over 23.1 innings last season, but he also posted a 0.94 WHIP, 23:2 K:BB and 2.78 FIP. While he likely won't be able to keep his control at quite that strong a level, McArthur's an intriguing reliever to keep an eye on, especially on a team that has prioritized improving its pitching staff.

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.