MLB Player News

Avila was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

After giving up three earned runs through 3.2 innings during spring training, Avila's chance at cracking the big-league roster has come and gone. The 26-year-old righty spent nearly all of last season in Triple-A, logging a 4.58 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 112 innings of work.

Waites (lat) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Waites suffered a right light strain in early February, but he's made steady progress since resuming a throwing program a couple of weeks ago. The 24-year-old could be an option for the Giants' bullpen sometime in the opening month of the 2023 season if everything continues to go smoothly.

Szapucki is undergoing tests Thursday after experiencing soreness in his right elbow, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Szapucki has appeared in only one Cactus League game this spring, and that was back on February 26. There should be more clarity on the issue by early next week.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Hudson (knee/ankle) is "still a ways away" from pitching in live games, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson made it through a live batting practice session Wednesday without issue, but the Dodgers will continue to bring him along carefully as he completes his recovery from surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He also came down with some right ankle tendinitis in February and is not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

McGough allowed one walk and struck out three over a scoreless fifth inning in Wednesday's spring game against Texas.

Wednesday's base on balls is the lone blemish for McGough, who has yet to allow a run or hit over four Cactus League innings. "He has the ability to mix his pitches and throw them all for strikes. And the ability to understand when he needs a swing and miss moment and when he needs to bury a pitch," manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched the last four seasons in Japan, serving as the closer for the Yakult Swallows. The Diamondbacks signed him to compete for a role in late-game situations, and McGough has shown himself capable.

Chafin is experiencing groin tightness and is getting a few days off.

Chafin has appeared in three Cactus League games, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings. He's part of the relief crew that could pick up saves in what manager Torey Lovullo describes as a "fluid" closer role.

Pint (oblique) is getting closer to throwing off a mound but has no official timetable to return, MLB.com reports.

Pint suffered an oblique strain early in camp and has yet to throw since. He was added to the 40-man roster over the winter and entered the season with an outside chance to earn a role in the team's bullpen. This injury all but ends those hopes, though it sounds as if Pint should return to the mound shortly.

Hand is planning to introduce a cutter to his arsenal this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.

Hand signed with the Rockies on Saturday and should immediately fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen. He's relied on a combination of his fastball and slider for the last several seasons, though he's now prepared to add a third pitch to that mix. Hand reportedly worked on the cutter in bullpen sessions during the 2022 campaign, but he did not throw any in game action.

Stephenson (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Stephenson is slated to throw one more bullpen session before being re-evaluated. Conceivably, he could be ready for a Grapefruit League appearance at that point, which would hopefully give him enough time to get ready for Opening Day. If healthy, Stephenson projects as a primary setup man for Pittsburgh.

Almonte (elbow) will face hitters Wednesday for the first time this spring, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Almonte missed much of the second half last season with a right elbow injury, so the Dodgers have eased him into things this spring. It's not clear at this point when he might be in game-ready shape, but the club expects him to be available for the start of the season. Almonte was quite a find for the Dodgers in 2022, sporting a 1.02 ERA over 33 relief appearances.