MLB Player News
-
Luis Patino RP | SD
Padres' Luis Patino: Scuffles in spring debut
Patino gave up three runs on three hits and a walk over an inning in Wednesday's Cactus League game against Kansas City. He struck out two.
Patino -- one of the Padres' top pitching prospects -- threw 26 pitches in the outing, walking two of the first three batters he faced and falling victim to some less-than-stellar defense. The 20-year-old will open the campaign in the minor leagues but could see some time at the big-league level this season.
-
Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Padres' Kirby Yates: Strikes out side in spring debut
Yates pitched a perfect inning, striking out all three batters in a Cactus League contest against the Royals on Wednesday.
Making his first appearance of the spring, Yates picked up where he left off last season, mowing down three consecutive batters in a perfect second inning. The right-hander emerged as one of the top closers in baseball in 2019 and will lead a Padres bullpen that looks to be among the best in the league this season.
-
Tyler Beede RP | CHC
Giants' Tyler Beede: Suffers multiple elbow injuries
Beede's MRI on Tuesday revealed both a flexor strain and a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The Giants will have more information involving a timetable for Beede's return later this week. Although elbow injuries are very problematic for pitchers, the fact that the 26-year-old avoided any tears or structural damage to his right elbow is encouraging. If Beede is forced to miss an extended period of time to begin the regular season, Logan Webb and Tyson Ross are primary candidates to fill the No. 5 spot in San Francisco's starting rotation.
-
Manuel Rodriguez RP | TB
Cubs' Manuel Rodriguez: Dealing with strained biceps
Rodriguez is out indefinitely after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right biceps strain following an MRI earlier this week, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The Cubs are still mapping out a rehab schedule for the hard-throwing righty, but given the nature of the injury, he appears likely to open the 2020 campaign on the minor-league injured list. Rodriguez is expected to be assigned to Double-A Tennessee at the conclusion of spring training.
-
Jeff Brigham RP | CHC
Marlins' Jeff Brigham: Won't be ready for Opening Day
Manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Brigham won't be available for Opening Day due to a right biceps injury, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Brigham's injury has thus far prevented him from appearing in any Grapefruit League games, and it doesn't sound like he'll have enough time to ramp up before the Marlins begin their regular season March 26. Expect Miami to move Brigham to the 15-day injured list within the next few weeks as the team looks to narrow down its roster to 26 men.
-
J.B. Bukauskas RP | MIL
Diamondbacks' J.B. Bukauskas: Debut coming
Bukauskas (wrist) is scheduled to make his spring debut Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Bukauskas, who was one of the pieces the Diamondbacks acquired from the Astros in the Zack Greinke deal last year, has been dealing with a minor wrist injury. Piecoro notes Bukauskas paired a mid-90s fastball with a wipeout slider during his spring throwing sessions. A consistent third pitch (changeup) has been elusive thus far in the minors. The 23-year-old right-hander hasn't lived up to the hype of being a first-round draft pick in 2017, and he could eventually transition to relief.
-
Tyler Beede RP | CHC
Giants' Tyler Beede: Experiencing elbow tightness
Beede felt some elbow tightness after pitching the fourth inning during Tuesday's Cactus League loss against the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Beede is scheduled to undergo tests on his right elbow Tuesday evening. The 26-year-old threw one scoreless inning after allowing a leadoff single and recording one strikeout and one walk. Beede is currently battling to retain his No. 5 spot in the Giants' starting rotation and can ill afford to miss a significant portion of spring training.
-
Dellin Betances RP | LAD
Mets' Dellin Betances: Downplays low velocity
Betances (Achilles) isn't throwing with his usual velocity but isn't concerned, Anthony Rieber of Newsday reports.
Betances similarly downplayed velocity concerns last spring but went on to face just two batters in the regular season, first due to a shoulder injury and then because of a torn Achilles tendon. He's still working his way back from that Achilles issue this spring and has yet to make a Grapefruit League appearance.
-
Brad Boxberger RP | CHC
Marlins' Brad Boxberger: Velocity may be back
Boxberger has looked good to begin spring training and is sitting 93-94 mph with his fastball, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.
The last time the right-hander had that kind of giddyup on his heater, he was racking up 41 saves for the Rays in 2015. Boxberger has yet to give up a run through 3.1 innings this spring with a 4:0 K:BB, and if he continues to demonstrate he still has some gas left in his tank, the 31-year-old could begin the season in a high-leverage role for the Marlins.
-
Jose Castillo RP | NYM
Padres' Jose Castillo: Placed on slow-progression plan
Castillo (finger) is being eased into action this spring, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
While Castillo appears healthy entering the campaign, the Padres have elected to nudge him along slowly following a season in which injuries to his forearm and finger limited the southpaw to a combined 8.2 innings between the minors and majors. Manager Jayce Tingler did not provide a target date for Castillo to take the mound in a game, but he has not yet ruled out the possibility of the reliever making the Opening Day roster.