MLB Player News

Ginkel retired the two batters he faced in Friday's spring game against the Reds.

Ginkel has not allowed an earned run over five Cactus League outings (4.2 innings). The right-hander could be moving into the pole position to become Arizona's closer, given Mark Melancon's results this spring (16.88 ERA). Andrew Chafin (groin) and Joe Mantiply are also in the mix for saves.

Chafin (groin) is expected to throw a live batting-practice session Saturday.

Chafin was shut down for a couple of days this week with groin tightness. The reliever has allowed four runs, four hits and five walks over 2.2 Cactus League innings.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday, per 97.3 The Fan.

Pomeranz has been taking things slowly this spring after missing all of last season while recovering from flexor tendon surgery to his left arm. However, the southpaw tossed a number of bullpen sessions leading up to throwing to live hitters for the first time Friday, and he's aiming to begin pitching in games within the next few weeks. If his recovery remains on that timeline, Pomeranz could avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Raley was removed from the Team USA roster Friday due to an undisclosed injury, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Raley has been replaced by Aaron Loup for the tournament. The specifics of the injury are unknown at this time.

Vodnik was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday by Atlanta.

Vodnik's removal brings the Atlanta camp roster down to 52 total players. The 23-year-old is one of the best relief prospects in the team's system, and he posted a 2.34 ERA over 31 appearances with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2022. There's a very good chance he makes his big-league debut in 2023.

Adams (forearm) was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

Adams signed a minor-league contract Friday, but he was unlikely to make the roster because he is recovering from surgery to repair a tear in his right flexor tendon. The veteran right-hander could make appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2023, but the team will need to add him to the 40-man roster in order for him to do so.

Waites (lat) is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, Evan Webeck of the Mercury News reports.

Waites sustained a right lat strain in early February just before the start of camp. He's resumed throwing off a mound but isn't going to have enough time to avoid an injured list stint. It does seem as though Waites should be an option for the Giants at some point in April, though.

Szapucki is likely to begin the season on the injured list due to neuropathy in his pitching arm, Evan Webeck of the Mercury News reports.

Szapucki couldn't feel the fingers on his left hand during his lone Cactus League appearance back on Feb. 26. He hasn't thrown a ball since and the Giants are still trying to determine the root cause of the issue. It sounds like he'll remain shut down until the team has better idea of how to proceed, so he could be sidelined for a while.

Hudson is competing to win a spot in the Cardinals' rotation, Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hudson had a rough 2022, coming back from Tommy John surgery and struggling to a career-worst 4.45 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 139.2 innings. He was briefly demoted to Triple-A Memphis late in the season and also saw time as a reliever, which remains a possibility for 2023 as well as Hudson is currently projected as the Cardinals' sixth starter. He's done reasonably well through two Grapefruit League appearances, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks, though he's logged just one strikeout over five innings.

Hjelle has allowed two earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out 10 over eight innings through three Cactus League appearances.

That's the good news, but as a 25-year-old with all of 25 big-league innings under his belt, Hjelle faces an uphill battle in a crowded competition for a job in the San Francisco rotation. The right-hander logged a 5.76 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across eight appearances last season, all as a bulk reliever, though he also started 22 times for Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 4.92 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 97 innings at that level. Hjelle likely needs a bit more time in the minors, but it's encouraging to see him flash some potential in spring training.