MLB Player News

Szapucki is a strong candidate for a spot on the taxi squad for the Mets, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Injuries have limited the southpaw to only 145 minor-league innings since being drafted in the fifth round in 2015, but Szapucki has still flashed upside when he's been on the mound, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 72:26 K:BB in 61.2 innings across three levels in 2019. If the 23-year-old does wind up in the mix for the Mets this season, he could make his big-league debut in relief.

Thompson, who fired three scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play before spring training was suspended, took advantage of his time with the big-league club to consult with the team's various starting pitchers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 22-year-old southpaw leveraged his first chance to be around big leaguers on a day-to-day basis by peppering hurlers like Adam Wainwright, Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson with questions. Thompson, the 19th overall pick of the Cardinals last season, struck out 19 of the 61 hitters he faced at High-A Palm Beach in 2019 and relies heavily on both a curveball and a slider he's actively looking to refine. Thompson appeared ticketed for time at Double-A Springfield at some point in 2020, but with the likelihood the minor-league season is lost outright, Thompson's development may be restricted to any baseball activities that the organization puts together for its top prospects.

Alzolay is a candidate to make an expanded Cubs bullpen when the regular season is able to begin, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Alzolay was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in March and was slated to spend a good chunk of the season there, with the Cubs boasting a number of veteran starters. However, the coronavirus pandemic might alter those plans, as MLB teams are expected to operate with expanded rosters whenever the season is able to begin, and the minor-league season might not happen at all. Alzolay made his MLB debut toward the end of 2019, and he's still likely a part of Chicago's future, so the Cubs may want to get him more run in the majors if they can.

Helsley has been able to keep track of key individual metrics with the use of a Rapsodo pitching unit during his throwing sessions while spring training has been suspended, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

A Rapsodo unit enables pitchers to track important performance data such as spin rate, shape and release point when engaging in any type of throwing, and Helsley utilized one throughout his offseason training in an effort to improve on what was a solid rookie campaign in 2019. The 25-year-old posted a 2.95 ERA across 36.2 innings over 24 appearances, and he followed it up with a 1.29 ERA in four Grapefruit League turns before spring training was suspended. During the ongoing shutdown, Helsley has utilized the Rapsodo to help him refine a changeup that he's attempting to add to a repertoire that already includes a high-90s fastball and 88 mph cutter, honing in on the ideal spin rate (1,500 revolutions per minute) and release point with the assistance of the unit. Helsley was thought to be in strong contention for save chances when play was paused, but the projected early July regular-season start date means closer Jordan Hicks (elbow) may be ready to return to game action within the first month of the campaign. Although that may ultimately relegate Helsley to a setup role for the majority of the abbreviated 2020 season, an enhanced arsenal should naturally still serve him well in that capacity.

Patino could be placed on the Padres' taxi squad for a potential 2020 campaign, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Patino had been expected to begin the season at the Double-A level, but with the minor-league season in doubt, the Padres may instead elect to give the 20-year-old a spot on their taxi squad in order to aid his development. Patino has been almost exclusively a starter throughout his time in the minors, but he could come out of the bullpen -- at least initially -- if he is promoted to the active roster at some point during the campaign.

Treinen could be used as a setup man, high-leverage middle reliever and occasional closer during a potential 2020 season, Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider reports.

Following a disappointing 2019 campaign, Treinen signed with the Dodgers on a one-year contract in December. While the team's ninth-inning role is firmly held by Kenley Jansen, Treinen's experience as a closer and 2018 dominance could allow him to function as the club's top bullpen option behind Jansen. That could not only lead to a fair amount of holds, it may also put Treinen in the position to register a handful of saves, especially given Jansen's struggles last season and the likelihood of fewer off days during an abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Kolarek has been throwing a bullpen session "every third day or so" since the start of May, he stated in an interview with John Hartung of Spectrum SportsNet LA.

Kolarek is at home in Maryland for the time being, but he has been able to access a high school field with the help of a college teammate who is now a local coach. That has allowed the southpaw to maintain a regular throwing schedule in order to build strength in anticipation of a possible return to action. Should a 2020 season take place, Kolarek may face a shift in his role as a new MLB rule is likely to prevent him from being used solely as a left-handed specialist.

Jansen has been working out "every day" and throwing occasional bullpens in anticipation of a resumption of play, he stated in an interview with John Hartung of Spectrum SportsNet LA.

Jansen's bullpen sessions have been far from traditional -- he explained that they have taken place on the street in front of his home -- but he has nonetheless been able to maintain a consistent workout schedule despite a lack of access to team facilities. If a 2020 season is able to be played, Jansen will once again function as the Dodgers' closer and will look to bounce back from a mildly disappointing 2019 campaign in which he suffered a career-worst eight blown saves.

Hicks (elbow), who could return from Tommy John surgery shortly after the start of the proposed abbreviated regular season, may play an integral relief role according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "Given the circumstances of the season, the likelihood of his being able to contribute are a lot different than had it been a normal year," Mozeliak said. "There is some optimism that if we do have a season, he'll have some way of being a key member of it."

Mozeliak relays Hicks continues engaging in regular bullpen sessions at his home in Houston, usually throwing 30 pitches per outing in an effort to mirror his approximate maximum pitch count in an actual game setting. Tuesday, Hicks worked up to 40 total pitches by throwing two blocks of 20 each, and if the current early July timeline for Opening Day comes to pass, the 23-year-old will be close to 13 full months removed from his June 2019 Tommy John procedure. However, Mozeliak notes the Cardinals would also be particularly cautious with the hard-throwing right-hander due to his Type A diabetes, as the condition could potentially make him more at risk for serious COVID-19-related complications.

Finnegan credits a lower arm slot for his career-best performance in 2019, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Until last season, the 28-year-old threw nearly straight over the top, but after a suggestion from Oakland's minor-league pitching coordinator last spring, he lowered his slot and found that it added movement to his fastball while also improving his command. "It just kind of clicked right away," Finnegan said. While he'd already been optioned to Double-A Harrisburg before spring training was put on pause, the right-hander could still be in the mix for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen as part of an expanded Nats roster.