MLB Player News

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.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Williams (shoulder) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of spring training Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Though Williams received full medical clearance in October after a sore right shoulder prevented him from competing in the Brewers' wild-card series loss to the Dodgers, the team has been deliberately easing him into workouts in the early stages of spring training. Counsell stressed that Williams isn't dealing with any setbacks, so assuming the right-hander checks out fine in Tuesday's throwing session, he should still be able to make his 2021 debut early in the Brewers' Cactus League schedule. Williams took home NL Rookie of the Year honors after dazzling in a setup role in 2020, finishing with a microscopic 0.33 ERA to go with a 0.63 WHIP and 53:9 K:BB in 27 innings.

The Diamondbacks placed Frias on the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Frias didn't report to the Diamondbacks' facility last week for the start of spring training while he continues to recover from COVID-19. With Arizona making his move to the IL official Monday, the transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for newly-signed infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.

Adam figures to be part of the Cubs' bullpen "core" this season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Adam looked good in a small sample size last season, registering a 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 21 strikeouts across 13.2 innings. That audition will likely lock the 29-year-old into a setup role ahead of the likes of Rowan Wick (chest) and closer Craig Kimbrel. The latter has struggled some since arriving in Chicago, so Adam has an outside chance at closing some games depending on how things shake out.

Gott was designated for assignment by the Giants on Sunday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Gott recorded four saves for the Giants last season, but he also allowed 13 runs in 11.2 innings and posted an 8:8 K:BB. With a career 5.01 ERA in parts of six big-league seasons, he probably won't be a particularly hot commodity on the waiver wire.

Hudson (elbow) remains likely to miss the entire 2021 season, but he's holding out hope that he can make a September return, even in a relief capacity, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "Mentally, I'm waiting on September," Hudson said. "I'm waiting and I'm doing my work, trying to hit my marks. And then I'm just trying to stay on pace to where that's an opportunity to compete at the end of the year. Be available is the ultimate goal."

The right-hander's Tommy John surgery unfolded in September 2020, making the 12-month mark the first realistic opportunity he'd have to return to live action. Hudson is set to continue his intensive rehab program during spring training and is shooting for March 15 as a date to begin playing catch. If Hudson ultimately isn't able to toe the rubber again until 2022, it won't be for lack effort; the 26-year-old is already drawing raves from manager Mike Shildt for his mindset and work ethic during the rehab process, with the Cardinals skipper noting "he's super dedicated to what he's doing, how he's doing it."

Arano's arrival at camp has been delayed by visa issues, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

A handful of players have faced similar delays as international travel remains complicated due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delay should wind up nothing more than a minor blip in a fairly long run of misfortune for the 26-year-old, who owns a career 2.65 ERA in 74.2 innings of relief at the highest level but threw just 4.2 frames in 2019 and none in 2020 while dealing with arm troubles. Arano flashed high-leverage promise before those issues began, though Atlanta will likely be happy if he merely bounces back as a serviceable middle reliever.