MLB Player News

Pivetta will start the Phillies' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Tigers, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

A popular sleeper pick this time last season due to some promising peripherals, Pivetta had a disaster of a 2019 campaign, experiencing demotions both to the minors and to the bullpen while struggling to a 5.38 ERA. The Phillies didn't make any additions to their shaky rotation over the offseason, so Pivetta enters camp as a starter again and appears to be competing with Vince Velasquez for the final spot in the rotation. Highly rated prospect Spencer Howard (knee) looms to take that spot at some point, however, and he could enter the conversation fairly early in the year.

Yamamoto is scheduled to start the Marlins' Grapefruit League opener Saturday versus the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 23-year-old will get an early opportunity to secure a back-end spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation after a generally solid rookie season in which he struck out more than a batter per inning while posting a 4.46 ERA across 78.2 frames. Yamamoto's main focus this spring will likely be in showing improved control, an area where he struggled mightily down the stretch last season. He issued at least three walks in his final three starts of 2019, ending the campaign with a bloated 11.1 percent walk rate.

Nelson is dealing with back tightness in addition to the previously reported groin soreness, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Both issues have been classified as minor, and neither seems to be related to the shoulder woes that wrecked Nelson's previous two seasons. Still, it would obviously be preferable for a pitcher to have zero injury worries this early in camp, rather than two. Nelson already entered camp in a tough fight for a roster spot, so any time lost to these issues will only decrease his chances of making the team.

Alzolay is competing for the Cubs' fifth starter role, though he is considered to be behind Tyler Chatwood in the race at the start of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chatwood has the edge in experience, having pitched 828 innings at the MLB level versus just 12.1 for Alzolay. The latter had a little bit of prospect hype as he advanced through the minors, so he's worth keeping an eye on, but it doesn't seem like he'll be much of fantasy factor to begin the season. That could change if Chatwood stumbles and Alzolay works his way into the Chicago rotation.

Gallegos will receive the opportunity to compete for the Cardinals' closer job in spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The wide-open battle also includes John Brebbia, Alex Reyes and Ryan Helsley, among others, though any competition for the ninth-inning vacancy could come to a quick end if the Cardinals shift Carlos Martinez -- who is getting the opportunity to fight for a rotation spot -- back to the bullpen. If Martinez's shoulder can hold up to starting duty, however, Gallegos would probably represent the most alluring fantasy target in the St. Louis bullpen, though the ample reliable relief arms on hand could prompt manager Mike Shildt to take a committee approach to save situations. Gallegos notched only one save in 2019 but still had utility in mixed leagues thanks to his dazzling ratios (2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 11.3 K/9).

Betances (Achilles) isn't yet fully participating in team workouts, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Betances recorded just two outs last season, missing the majority of the year with a bone spur in his shoulder and getting shut down after his first appearance in mid-September with a torn Achilles tendon. The reliever said upon his arrival to camp that he expected to be ready to go by Opening Day, but for now, he still has some work to do with the Mets' training staff.

Jansen has adjusted his delivery in an attempt to refine his cutter, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Jansen consulted with Driveline Baseball in Washington during the offseason to pinpoint adjustments that, according to the veteran reliever, have given his cutter more "rising life." The 32-year-old relies heavily on the pitch, throwing it 74.3 percent of the time in 2019 -- though opponents hit .232 against the offering, Jansen's worst mark since 2014. While Jansen remains a steady source of saves, his ERA dropped to a career-worst 3.71 last season.

Strahm will fill a bullpen role with the Padres this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Strahm pitched 46 games for San Diego in 2019, making 30 appearances in relief. He posted a 3.27 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .246 average in that role, and the Padres will look to him for similar production in 2020. Per Cassavell, Strahm is likely to work in a long-relief role, regularly pitching two or three innings.

Iglesias started throwing sooner this offseason in order to be ready sooner in spring training, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I just wanted to get my arm better in form," Iglesias said through interpreter Jorge Merlos. "Really, just want to get here ready to go and in better form."

Iglesias also said that he's better prepared to pitch in non-save situations than he was last year, when he compiled a 5.18 ERA and 1.52 WHIP and complained about his usage early in the season. "I felt a little bit awkward last year coming in early because I have a routine every time," he said. "I prepare myself in the sixth and seventh inning to come into the ninth. It was all a learning experience. I'm comfortable in whatever inning I come in. Just like any other closer, you have to be prepared for any time you can come in. I'm comfortable anywhere."

Neris (illness) returned to the Phillies' spring-training complex Saturday after missing the last few days of workouts while recovering from the flu, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Neris' brief absence to begin camp shouldn't put him too far behind his fellow relievers this spring, when he'll be looking to secure his spot as the Phillies' closer. The 30-year-old turned in the best season of his career in 2019, posting a 2.93 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 89:24 K:BB across 67.2 innings while converting 28 of 34 save chances. Given that new manager Joe Girardi is believed to favor more defined roles for his relievers than predecessor Gabe Kapler, Neris -- who was often used in high-leverage spots outside of the ninth inning under Kapler's watch -- could be in line for more traditional closing duties in 2020. If that's the case, Neris would seemingly have a great chance at delivering his first 30-plus-save campaign, assuming health prevails.