MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Wednesday that Soto (visa issues) might have to be pulled out of the World Baseball Classic, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Soto is currently part of the projected bullpen mix for Team Dominican Republic, but he has yet to report to Phillies camp in Florida due to visa complications. "At some point he's got to get into some [Grapefruit League] games before he goes to the WBC or else you're putting him at risk," Thomson said. The 28-year-old reliever was acquired from the Tigers in January and is expected to operate in a high-leverage role this season for the reigning NL champs.

Yates (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session of spring training Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Yates made his return from March 2021 Tommy John surgery in August last season, but he stayed healthy for about a month before succumbing to inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow. Fortunately for Yates, the long offseason provided ample time for him to overcome the setback, and he reported to spring training without any restrictions. Yates is only four years removed from a season in which he was arguably the game's top reliever, but now that he's in his mid-thirties and has just 15 relief appearances at the big-league level under his belt since that banner 2019 campaign with the Padres, Atlanta is simply hoping that he can serve as a dependable setup option in front of closer Raisel Iglesias.

Nelson will start the Phillies' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Yankees, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Nelson projects to serve as a long reliever and/or bullpen-game starter this year for the reigning NL champs, but there's always the possibility that a camp injury or two could thrust him into the Opening Day rotation. He'll probably go about two innings Saturday and build up from there.

The Reds claimed Sousa off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Sousa, designated for assignment Monday, posted a miserable 8.41 ERA in 20.1 innings with the White Sox last season. Those struggles suggest he'll need to show significant improvement in camp for a shot at Cincinnati's Opening Day roster.

Waites (lat) will begin a throwing program in a week, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Waites sustained a right lat injury in early February, but his MRI showed no major damage. The right-hander will still be delayed for a bit in camp, and a stint on the injured list to begin the regular season hasn't been ruled out yet.

Stephenson is dealing with minor right elbow discomfort and is going through a modified throwing program at this stage of spring training, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson doesn't look as though he'll be ready to pitch during the first week of Grapefruit League play, but the Pirates are still seemingly optimistic that his elbow issue won't be anything that threatens his availability for Opening Day. He could resume throwing off a mound early next week if he responds well to playing catch over the next few days.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Bird is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks due to a left oblique strain, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Since the Rockies are scheduled to begin their season March 30 in San Diego, Black acknowledged that "it will be close" for Bird to make a full recovery from the injury in time for Opening Day. Even if Bird's recovery from the oblique injury veers closer to the short end of the timetable, he may not have sufficient time to complete a throwing progression in advance of the regular season. As a rookie last season, Bird made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen and logged a 4.91 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 47.2 innings.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Pint is dealing with a mild oblique strain, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Pint apparently sustained the injury during a workout Tuesday, though because the right-hander was able to finish the session despite some discomfort, Black is hopeful he won't miss too much time during camp. Pint was added to the Rockies' 40-man roster over the winter, but since he's made just three career appearances above the Double-A level, he doesn't appear to be a serious candidate to make Colorado's Opening Day roster even if he quickly moves past the injury.

Updating a previous report, Hudson (knee/ankle) isn't scheduled to pitch in the Dodgers' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Brewers, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh had previously reported that Hudson was scheduled to appear in relief behind starter Michael Grove, but instead, non-roster invitee Bryan Hudson is the Hudson in question who will work out of the bullpen. Daniel Hudson missed the final four months of the 2022 season after undergoing surgery in late June to address a torn ACL in his left knee, so the Dodgers may prefer to take a cautious approach with his usage this spring, especially after he dealt with right ankle tendinitis before reporting to camp. The Dodgers haven't suggested that Hudson is dramatically behind the team's other relief candidates, so the 35-year-old right-hander still seemingly has a good chance of securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. He should be in the mix for a high-leverage role after notching five saves and nine holds while delivering a 2.22 ERA and 30:5 K:BB across 24.1 innings in his injury-shortened 2022 campaign.

Hudson (knee/ankle) is expected to make an appearance in relief in Saturday's Cactus League opener versus the Brewers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Before suffering an ACL tear of his left knee in late June and undergoing season-ending surgery, Hudson had settled into a key role in the late innings for the Dodgers, as he concluded the campaign with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB in 24.1 innings while bagging five saves and nine holds. The fact that he's already on track to appear in relief in the Dodgers' spring opener suggests that Hudson is well on his way to being included on the Opening Day roster, even though he experienced some tendinitis in his right ankle earlier in camp in addition to making his return from the ACL tear. Manager Dave Roberts has yet to name a closer for the start of the season and could take a committee approach to the ninth inning, but expect Hudson to be a factor in some capacity so long as he steers clear of any setbacks with his knee.