MLB Player News

Blach, who re-signed with the Rockies on Jan. 11 on a minor-league deal, threw his first live batting practice session of the spring Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The soft-tossing southpaw had elected free agency following the 2022 season, but after assessing his options on the open market for two months, he ultimately chose to stick around in Colorado. He's attending big-league camp this spring and will be looking to compete for a long-relief role out of the Rockies bullpen. Blach tossed 44.1 innings for the big club in 2022, logging a 5.89 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB.

Lambert (elbow) will have his innings capped to begin the 2023 season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lambert told Harding that this is the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 that he feels ready to contribute to the pitching staff. He's expected to receive a normal workload during the Cactus League, but then will be on strict limits for the beginning of 2023. Lambert showed promise as a prospect, but there's too much volatility to consider him a potential fantasy option to begin the year.

The Cubs placed Heuer (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Heuer was already expected to be sidelined until around mid-season while he recovers from March 2022 Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely a formality that opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed reliever Michael Fulmer. If Heuer is able to regain velocity and command once he concludes what will likely be an extended rehab assignment in the minors, he could emerge as a key late-inning arm for the big club in the second half of the season. At this stage of Heuer's rehab, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times relays that the right-hander is throwing bullpen sessions, but he's not yet been cleared to face hitters.

Hudson (knee/ankle) completed a bullpen session Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sportsreports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Vassegh after the session that he doesn't believe Hudson is far behind the other relievers currently in camp. The 35-year-old reliever is dealing with tendinitis in his right ankle, after missing the majority off the 2022 campaign because of a left ACL tear. If healthy, Hudson has a chance to see a good amount of save chances for the Dodgers during the 2023 season.

Estrada could begin the year in the minors with the Cubs adding several new relievers in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Chicago added veterans Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger, along with Tyler Duffey on a minor-league deal. With the increased competition, Estrada may start the year with Triple-A Iowa. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2022 and appeared in five games out of the bullpen for the Cubs. Estrada throws hard and has displayed good strikeout potential, so he could be in the MLB mix at some point again in 2023.

Hughes will likely compete with newcomers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer for back-end roles in Chicago's bullpen to begin the year, Mike Axisa of CBS Sports reports.

Righties Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the mix in the offseason, joining fellow righty Rowan Wick and the lefty Hughes at the back of Chicago's bullpen. Hughes had eight saves and a strong 3.12 ERA in 2022, but the Cubs may mix and match to close games in 2023, which could limit the upside of all these pitchers.

Rucker could be squeezed out of the MLB bullpen to begin the regular season, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

With veteran relievers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer signed by the Cubs in the offseason, as well as Tyler Duffey on a minor-league deal, Rucker could get squeezed from the Opening Day bullpen and start the year with Triple-A Iowa. Rucker did pitch reasonably well in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 54.2 innings for Chicago, so he could certainly get extended run in the majors at some point in 2023.

Kimbrel has no problem being part of a closer committee this season, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kimbrel's 394 career saves lead all active players and rank seventh all-time, but his drop in performance over the last few seasons means he can no longer walk into a room and automatically inherit the closer title. His 3.70 ERA last season wasn't terrible, but his 27.7 percent strikeout rate represented a career low. The Phillies didn't have a dedicated closer down the stretch last season after Corey Knebel pitched his way out of the role, and they don't intend to anoint Kimbrel or anyone else to the job at the moment. Kimbrel has struggled when pitching in the eighth inning or earlier in the past, though not in large enough samples to be predictive.

Stephenson is dealing with some right arm discomfort to begin spring training, though he was able to throw Saturday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The severity of the issue is unclear, though the fact Stephenson hasn't been shut down from throwing is an encouraging sign. Even if it's a minor injury, the Pirates are likely to exercise caution with the right-hander early in camp.

Gilbreath (elbow) is healthy to begin spring training and threw a bullpen session Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Gilbreath was sidelined down the stretch by a flexor strain in his left elbow last season, but he had a healthy offseason and is good to go for the start of spring training. The 26-year-old had 12 holds with a 4.19 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB across 43 innings last year.