MLB Player News

Pacheco is dealing with elbow tightness and won't throw for the next couple weeks, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Pacheco experienced the issue during a live batting practice session. While tests reportedly revealed nothing particularly concerning, he'll nonetheless back off from throwing for now. The 24-year-old right-hander reached Triple-A Memphis for the first time last season, posting a 2.27 ERA and 32.6 percent strikeout rate in 35.2 innings.

The Diamondbacks were awarded a fourth option for Martin, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

That means Martin can be sent down to the minors this season without the need to pass through waivers. Teams are sometimes given a fourth year for players who have missed large chunks of time due to injury. Martin is in the mix for a bullpen spot this year after pitching mostly as a starter during his career.

Rolison (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.

It's an important milestone for Rolison, who had left shoulder surgery last June. The 2018 first-round pick is expected to be game-ready around late May or early June, but it will probably be after the All-Star break before he might be considered for his first big-league promotion.

Waites (lat) will be re-evaluated Sunday and hopes to be cleared to resume throwing Monday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Waites strained his right lat prior to camp and has been shut down since then, but he could still have enough time to get ready for Opening Day if he gains clearance to throw soon. If healthy, Waites has the potential to work his way into a high-leverage bullpen role.

Brazoban is still without a visa and remains away from the Marlins as spring training gets started, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Brazoban has had a tough time getting back to the States for the start of the 2023 season. If the 33-year-old cannot make it to camp relatively soon, he could lose his spot in the Marlins' bullpen this season. The right-hander appeared in 27 games with the team last season, producing a serviceable 3.09 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 40 strikeouts over 32 innings as a reliever.

Martin will pitch as a reliever during spring training, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. "He got after it [Thursday]," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "He had extremely high velo, really good, sharp breaking balls."

Martin, who topped out at 97 mph Thursday, has been impressive early in camp, fueling hope the Diamondbacks can salvage something from the pitcher that was seen as the centerpiece of the Zack Greinke trade four years ago. When the right-hander was acquired along with three other players from Houston in 2019, Martin was a starter coming off Tommy John elbow surgery. Subsequent injuries delayed his Arizona debut until 2021. He has had middling results in both the minors and majors since then, but he's embracing the bullpen role, which may be the best thing for his career at this time.

Kilian said he is working to correct a mechanical flaw this spring, which he hopes will allow him to post better results in 2023, Sahadev Sharmam of The Athletic reports.

Kilian made his MLB debut in 2022 and struggled mightily, posting a 10.32 ERA and 2.03 WHIP across three starts. It's not a huge sample size, and the 25-year-old still has decent prospect upside, so he could certainly turn a corner this year. The Cubs seemingly have a full rotation entering camp, so Kilian will likely have to compete for a bullpen role or begin the year with Triple-A Iowa.

Jameson will start on the mound for Arizona in Saturday's split-squad game against Oakland, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Jameson turned a few heads in his brief major-league stint last season, posting a 1.48 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 24.1 frames in four starts. He's one of the primary candidates for the fifth spot in Arizona's rotation alongside Ryne Nelson, who will start in the D-backs' other split-squad matchup Saturday against Colorado.

Beck will start the Giants' Cactus League opener Saturday against the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sam Long will follow him and is expected to work two frames. Beck, 26, posted an underwhelming 5.25 ERA in 111.1 innings last season between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento. He has yet to make his MLB debut and will enter the 2023 campaign as emergency depth for San Francisco.

Gallegos is working on adjusting to MLB's new pitch timer, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos had one of the slowest paces in all of baseball in 2022, but the new rules for the 2023 season will force him to adjust. "It's hard for me. It's a new experience and a big challenge for me," Gallegos said. "I am trying to make some adjustments about the timing, but it's a big change." The 31-year-old reliever has often worked in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals, and he figures to fill a similar spot in the bullpen this year, as long as the pace-of-play changes don't have negative impact on his effectiveness. Ryan Helsley still figures to see the majority of the save chances.