MLB Player News

White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz said Thursday that Knebel (shoulder) is a bit behind other relievers in camp, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Knebel is coming back from right shoulder surgery that he had back in August of 2022. He is considered healthy but will need to throw a few more bullpen sessions before being cleared to appear in Cactus League games.

Webb (elbow) has thrown five bullpen sessions and expects to be ready for game action by early May, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Webb had Tommy John surgery last March, so he is getting into the ramp-up phase of his rehab. The right-hander has yet to make his major-league debut, but he should eventually settle in at Triple-A Norfolk this year once he's fully recovered. Webb signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Orioles in October.

Rodriguez signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Boston declined Rodriguez's $4.25 million option in November, but the two sides have reunited and the journeyman southpaw will have a chance to win a job in camp. Oblique, shoulder and hip injuries limited Rodriguez to only 11 appearances last year, with his final appearance of the season coming July 25.

Shaw is a candidate to earn saves for the White Sox this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.

Shaw is in camp on a minor-league deal, but he pitched fairly effectively for the White Sox last season by maintaining a 4.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 40:17 K:BB across 45.2 innings. He also logged four saves and four holds, showing some ability to pitch in high-leverage situations. Shaw's role remains far from certain however, as Chicago's bullpen is wide open, and general manager Chris Getz specifically declined to name a closer early in spring training.

Pivetta is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday versus the Cardinals, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Though he'll be integrated into the spring pitching schedule after Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito, Pivetta and the latter two pitchers are still looking like locks for the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation. Pivetta split time between the bullpen and rotation in 2023, but he was one of Boston's top pitchers during the second half of the campaign, pitching to a 3.30 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 102:19 K:BB in 73.2 innings over his final 16 outings (eight starts).

Navarro will undergo Tommy John surgery in March, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Navarro was outrighted off Chicago's 40-man roster in December, and he'll now be prevented from returning to action until midway through the 2025 season. The 26-year-old righty has allowed seven earned runs through 8.2 major-league innings in his career.

Ingram was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Tuesday.

The move corresponds with Detroit claiming TJ Hopkins off waivers. Ingram himself was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on Feb. 5 after being DFA'd by the Angels the week prior. The left-hander spent most of his time last season between Double-A and Triple-A, though he did pitch 5.1 innings across five games with the Angels and accrued an 8.44 ERA and a 7:5 K:BB.

Bradford is set to follow Dane Dunning in the Rangers' Cactus League opener against the Royals on Friday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The left-hander made his MLB debut in 2023 after spending time with Triple-A Round Rock. He bounced between the minors and majors during the regular season, and he worked as both a starter and reliever with the big club. Bradford finished last season with a 4-3 record for Texas while accruing a 5.30 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 12 walks over 56 innings. He's looking to lock down a spot at the back end of the Rangers' starting rotation during spring training.

Sborz is among of four relievers being considered as high-leverage bullpen option, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Sborz joins Jose Leclerc, David Robertson and Kirby Yates among the relievers manager Bruce Bochy plans to use in high-leverage situations. Bochy stopped short of naming a closer and refused to place them in any order early in camp. "We've got some high-leverage guys down there that can help each other out and help give guys days off," Bochy said. "I'm not going to get into exactly what the pecking order is, because they're all really good relievers with really good resumes." Sborz had an inflated 5.50 ERA in 2023, but a 3.35 xERA suggests he pitched better than the standard ERA indicates. His 36.9 strikeout percentage and 66:17 K:BB were also encouraging. Health will be a factor for Sborz, who has spent five stints on the injured list over the last two seasons.

The Orioles acquired Ort from the Phillies on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Ort had been designated for assignment by Philadelphia earlier in the day but quickly found a new home. He'll compete for a spot in the Orioles' bullpen but does have options remaining.