MLB Player News

Weathers threw two innings in a simulated game Thursday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Weathers continued his work to stretch out as a starter this spring while pitching against Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado and Tommy Pham. He reportedly generated several swings and misses without allowing any hard contact. Weathers isn't likely to start the season in the Padres' rotation, though it can reasonably be expected that he will make a significant impact with the club during the regular season.

Adams is fully recovered from ACL surgery and healthy for the 2021 season, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Adams was acquired from the Mariners to bolster the Padres' bullpen just prior to the trade deadline last season. He wasn't particularly effective in the short stint with his new club, but disclosed that he was still getting back to full strength after recovering from ACL surgery. Reports to this point in camp suggest that his velocity has returned and his command has been sharp. Though not likely to factor into the saves picture, Adams could occupy a high-leverage role in the Padres' bullpen.

Kelly (shoulder) threw an unspecified number of pitches off a mound Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kelly had thrown from 90 feet over the past two days, and he progressed to mound work Thursday. The right-hander missed the start of camp due to shoulder soreness, but he is now ramping up his throwing program ahead of Cactus League play. Barring any setbacks, Kelly should have enough time to prepare to pitch by the start of the regular season.

Clarke is stretching out as a starter during spring training, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

Clarke being stretched out gives Arizona manager Torey Lovullo flexibility, but his eventual role could be as a reliever. There are spots to be won in a bullpen that last year had a 4.60 ERA (19th in MLB) while permitting a .250 opponents' batting average (23rd) and .786 opponents' OPS (25th). There's clearly a need to upgrade the bullpen, and Clarke has an opportunity. The right-hander allowed 35 hits and 21 walks while striking out 40 over 43.1 innings in 2020. He posted a 4.36 ERA over five starts and seven relief appearances.

White (shoulder) has not yet picked up a baseball in camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

White is suffering from a bout of shoulder soreness, and it is not yet clear how serious the issue is. The right-hander is one of the organization's top pitching prospects but isn't expected to break camp with the club, so there's little reason for the Dodgers to rush him along while the soreness persists.

Kelly (shoulder) has thrown from 90 feet on consecutive days, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kelly appears to be rounding into shape after being shelved at the start of camp due to shoulder soreness. The veteran suffered from the same issue last season, and it's unclear whether the Dodgers are simply being careful with him or if there remains some carryover into the start of spring. With plenty of time to go until Opening Day, however, there's a strong chance that Kelly will be ready to pitch by the start of the campaign.

Soriano (elbow) has resumed throwing, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Soriano was placed on the 60-day injured list and will miss the start of the regular season as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in February 2020. However, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk revealed Wednesday that the right-hander has resumed throwing. Soriano posted a 2.55 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 77.2 innings at the Low-A level in 2019.

Strahm (knee) could miss the start of the regular season, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Strahm underwent patellar tendon surgery on his right knee in late October and has been playing catch during the first few days of spring training. However, he isn't expected to start throwing bullpens until at least next week. While the southpaw is pushing himself to be ready in time for Opening Day, he also acknowledged that he could miss the first several games in order to preserve his long-term health. Strahm posted a 2.61 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with three holds over 20.2 innings with the Padres last season.

Diaz expects to close games for the Mets this season, though the team hasn't named an official closer and may not do so, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's hard to post more closer-worthy numbers than the ones Diaz managed last season; he struck out 45.5 percent of opposing batters en route to a 1.75 ERA. Two of the five earned runs he allowed all season came in his first three outings, however, and combined with his 2019 struggles that proved to be enough for the Mets to drop him from closing duties for much of the year. He finished with just six saves. He remains the team's clear top reliever (especially with Seth Lugo likely to miss time following elbow surgery), but there's no guarantee he remains a true closer all season. Manager Luis Rojas kept open the possibility of using a more modern approach, sending Diaz out earlier in the game if a high-leverage situation pops up before the ninth or perhaps playing the matchups in the final frame, which could also limit his save numbers.

Floro was mentioned by manager Don Mattingly on Monday as someone he thought could handle save opportunities, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports.

Anthony Bass and Yimi Garcia are thought to be the favorites for late-inning work in the Miami bullpen, but Floro might pitch his way into the picture with a strong spring. The right-hander is still looking for his first career save, but he's coming off a solid 2020 campaign with the Dodgers in which he posted a 2.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 24.1 innings.