MLB Player News

Garcia is expected to open the season as the Marlins' main setup man, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander's 6.23 ERA this spring is inflated by three homers in 8.2 innings, but Garcia's 11:1 K:BB also highlights his potential. Anthony Bass remains the favorite to handle save chances for the Marlins, but if Garcia can find a way to keep the ball in the park more consistently (career 1.65 HR/9), he could make a push for the closer role.

Bass is the favorite to open the season as the Marlins' primary closer, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander has done nothing to pitch himself out of the job this spring, posting 2.16 ERA and 8:3 K:BB in 8.1 Grapefruit League innings. Bass saved 12 games over the last two seasons for the Mariners and Blue Jays, a mark he could easily exceed even if he winds up splitting ninth-inning work with Yimi Garcia.

Jackson appears set to begin the season in the Atlanta bullpen, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has 18 saves and nine holds in 2019, but he was out of the high-leverage mix last year and likely won't regain a prominent spot in 2021. Jackson posted a solid 3.52 ERA and 7:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings this spring and should work primarily in middle relief.

Manager Jayce Tingler said Monday that Weathers will open the season as a member of the Padres' bullpen, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Though Weathers appears to have lost out to Adrian Morejon in the competition to replace Dinelson Lamet (elbow) as the club's fifth starter to begin the season, the 21-year-old lefty will have a spot waiting for him in the bullpen with seven Padres relievers set to open the campaign on the injured list. Weathers has yet to make his regular-season MLB debut, though the Padres thought enough of him to include him on their NLDS roster last fall. San Diego still plans to develop Weathers as a starter, but given the club's ample rotation depth, he's expected to see most of his opportunities as a reliever in 2021.

Pop has made the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

As a Rule 5 draft pick, the Marlins have to keep Pop on the active roster all season or offer him back to the Orioles. That gave him a leg up in the battle for a roster spot, but he seems to have won one legitimately, as he didn't allow an earned run in five innings of work this spring, striking out four while walking two and allowing three hits.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler confirmed Monday that Johnson (groin) will open the season on the 10-day injured list, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson's move to the IL was fully expected after a groin strain had prevented him from making any relief appearances during Cactus League play over the past two weeks. The right-hander does at least appear to be making progress, as he was cleared to resume mound work last week. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks with the calf during his recovery program, Johnson should be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 10 days or shortly thereafter.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Monday that Adams will open the season on the 10-day injured list due to a minor elbow issue, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After finishing the 2020 season on the IL while recovering from ACL surgery, Adams received full clearance ahead of spring training. The elbow issue surfaced soon thereafter, however, as Adams hasn't made a Cactus League appearance since March 7 due to the injury. TIngler stressed that Adams isn't dealing with any sort of long-term setback, so the right-hander could be ready to join the San Diego bullpen at some point shortly after the minimum 10 days.

Voth appears set to open the season in a long-relief role.

The right-hander lost out on his bid for the No. 5 starter role, but he should still begin the season in the majors. Voth has had an unimpressive spring, posting a 5.40 ERA and 9:5 K:BB over 11.2 innings, but with Jon Lester (neck) still not fully stretched out, Joe Ross potentially having his workload monitored after opting out of 2020, and Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer holding more injury risk than other pitchers, there could be plenty of long-relief work available in the early part of the season.

Finnegan is on track to break camp in the Nationals' bullpen.

The right-hander has a superficially shaky 6.75 ERA this spring and has served up three homers, but his 8:1 K:BB in eight innings is strong. Finnegan is coming off a solid big-league debut in 2020 and should fill a middle-relief role for the Nats.

The Reds informed Perez on Monday that he would be included in the club's Opening Day bullpen, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Acquired from the Astros earlier in the winter, Perez was able to push his way on to the Opening Day roster after striking out nine while giving up only two earned runs over 10.2 innings this spring. Though Perez had previously been developed as a starter while in the Houston organization, his smallish frame likely makes him a better fit in the bullpen. He's flashed some intriguing skills this spring, most notably touching 98 miles per hour with his fastball in his latest Cactus League outing Sunday. Expect him to work in the middle innings to begin the season.