MLB Player News

Helsley, who is a candidate for the closer role to open the season, is also likely to log at least one Grapefruit League start in order to build up stamina and arm strength, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The hard-throwing right-hander gave an excellent accounting of himself over his first 24 big-league appearances last season, generating a 2-0 record, 2.95 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 36.2 innings. Although Helsley had previously stated he intended to compete for the No. 5 rotation spot this spring, it appears likelier the Cardinals will want his triple-digit fastball available for late-game scenarios. That won't necessarily equate to a ninth-inning role, however, hence the probability he draws a couple of spring starts to prepare for the occasional multi-inning appearance come the regular season.

Graterol (illness) will have a workout Sunday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Graterol was sent home from camp Thursday due to a fever, but his quick return to the team confirms he's otherwise healthy. The hard-throwing righty trade acquisition is still expected to have his workload monitored throughout spring training, but he should be able to lock down a role in the bullpen. The 21-year-old made his major-league debut with the Twins last season and had a 4.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over 9.2 innings

Suter agreed to a two-year contract with the Brewers on Sunday, avoiding arbitration.

The 30-year-old's arbitration hearing was scheduled for Monday, but he's now officially under contract with the team through 2021. Suter underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2018, but he returned from the injured list when rosters expanded in September and had a 0.49 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 15:1 K:BB to go along with a 4-0 record over 18.1 innings. The left-hander has an outside chance at a rotation spot in spring training, but his success out of the bullpen last season provides him with some solid security for a roster spot.

Nelson experienced some groin soreness during his bullpen session this weekend, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts termed the soreness as "benign," so it doesn't appear to be a serious concern. Nelson joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal in January and is looking for a rebound season after posting a 6.95 ERA in 22 innings last year for the Brewers in his return from shoulder surgery.

Bukauskas said his elbow is back to normal, but Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the right-hander is experiencing discomfort in his wrist, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Lovullo expects Bukauskas to get back to the mound at some point this week. The 23-year-old starter, who was acquired from Houston in the Zack Greinke deal, was the 15th overall pick in the 2017 draft, but he didn't throw strikes consistently in 2019. He registered 5.7 BB/9 in Double-A while pitching to a 5.44 ERA.

Howard's start to spring has been delayed after the righty tweaked his right knee, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Manager Joe Girardi downplayed the issue, saying that the Phillies were merely being extra cautious with the 23-year-old, something they can afford to be this early in camp. Howard has only made six starts above Low-A, but he'll have a shot to make a big-league impact this season for a Philadelphia team whose rotation looks like one of the biggest obstacles in its quest to end an eight-year playoff drought. Given his lack of experience in the upper minors, however, he's unlikely to be a member of the Opening Day roster regardless regardless of how minor his knee issue is.

Smith will primarily work in a high-leverage setup role for Altanta, but manager Brian Snitker said he wouldn't hesitate to use the 30-year-old to close, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Mark Melancon is considered the team's primary ninth-inning option right now, and the new rule requiring a pitcher to face at least three batters would seem to prevent Snitker from using the southpaw Smith to face only one or two tough left-handed hitters to close out the ninth. Nonetheless, Smith had the better overall season of the two in 2019, and if Melancon falters, the free-agent signee will be next in line for closing duties.

Gsellman is fully recovered from the torn lat that ended his 2019 season early, Mike Puma of The New York Post reports. "I am healthy and I am feeling great," Gsellman said Friday.

The right-hander thinks he could have returned to the mound in September, but the club elected not to rush him back into action. The Mets' offseason additions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have closed the door on any chance Gsellman might have had on getting stretched out as a starter in camp, but he could still be a useful middle-relief or set-up arm after posting a K% north of 20 percent each of the last two years.

Bracho (elbow) is expected to start the season on the injured list, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Bracho underwent Tommy John surgery last March, so this is not a surprising bit of news. Tommy John survivors typically require more than a year before pitching competitively again.

Biddle won't pitch until the second week of camp as he works his way back from September arthroscopic surgery, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

BIddle missed the second half of last season due to shoulder troubles and isn't free of them to start this year, either. Whether or not he'll be able to pitch enough this spring to make a case for a roster spot remains to be seen.