MLB Player News

Manager Bud Black said that the Rockies are thinking about deploying Rusin as a starting pitcher once again, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Black did say that he knows the left-hander can act as a reliever if it's what's best for the club, but he noted that Rusin's performance as a starter Sunday against the Diamondbacks was "a snippet of what he can do." Top prospects Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez were previously considered the top two candidates for the final rotation spot, but it seems that Rusin's name has also been thrown into the ring. It's unclear who has the leg up on the spot as of now, but that should become more clear as each hurler logs more innings this spring.

Kay (elbow) recently began playing catch after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31st overall pick is already slated to miss the entirety of the 2017 campaign, but it's good to see his rehab process is coming along without a hitch thus far. Kay's next steps will likely be to lengthen his throwing before heading back to a mound in time for 2018.

Johnson will stay in the bullpen, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After an injury-plagued 2016 campaign, the Cubs are hoping that a move to the bullpen will keep their pitching prospect healthy while also helping his fastball and breaking pitches to become sharper. Johnson struggled in his first taste of Triple-A last season, but if he can right the ship while maintaining his uptick in strikeouts from last season, he could find his way to Wrigley Field later in the season.

Sewald got the start in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, tossing two shutout innings and walking one batter.

Victor Martinez was the only one of Detroit's big bats to make the trip to St. Lucie, but this was still a nice beginning to the spring for Sewald. The 10th round pick in 2012 has done nothing but produce as a minor league closer since turning pro, including a 3.29 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 80:21 K:BB in 65.2 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016, but his lack of a big fastball (he tops out at 92 mph) have created enough doubts about his big league future that he went unclaimed in the Rule 5 draft this offseason after not being added to the Mets' 40-man roster. If he continues doing well this spring, and back in the PCL this season, he could change that perception, however.

Rodney resolved his visa issues and arrived in Diamondbacks camp, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The veteran closer is still behind the other pitchers, as he only threw his second bullpen session Sunday. However, manager Torey Lovullo was pleased with what he saw from Rodney, making it seem that the delay won't be much of an issue moving forward.

Voth gave up a hit in a shutout inning of work during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The 24-year-old is the primary competition for A.J. Cole in the battle to be the Nats' sixth starter this season, but the fact that Voth was the last pitcher out of the 'pen Sunday, while Cole got the start, suggests he's far behind in that battle. Voth should begin the season at Triple-A, but as injuries crop up in the big league rotation, he stands a good chance of making his MLB debut some time in 2017.

Mayers (1-0) fired a pair of shutout innings in Sunday's 7-4 Grapefruit League victory over the Marlins. He also recorded a strikeout.

The 25-year-old righty had a disastrous cup of coffee with the Cardinals late last season, giving up 16 earned runs on 16 hits in just 5.2 innings. However, he's put together a decent body of work over his four minor league seasons, and generated a respectable 3.73 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 89.1 innings at Triple-A Memphis last season. The right-hander is vying for a bullpen spot this spring, and Sunday's effort certainly was good initial step in that direction.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that Smith (elbow) is a day or two away from throwing off flat ground, CSN Bay Area reports.

Smith was experiencing elbow inflammation last week, but the MRI results came back negative and the Giants appear to be playing it safe with their left-handed setup man. The club has already set a plan for him to throw six times during this WBC-extended spring training, so barring any setbacks, Smith should be ready for Opening Day.

Kontos pitched a clean sixth inning and picked up the win in Saturday's spring training win over the Cubs.

The Giants brought Kontos back on a one-year deal to serve as a middle reliever in 2017. He has posted ERAs of 2.33 and 2.53 in 2015 and 2016 respectively, but his strikeout rate has been under 6.0 K/9 in both seasons, which isn't desirable for a ratio-boosting middle reliever in even deep formats.

Coleman is dealing with right biceps tendinitis and will take a few days off from throwing, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The ailment isn't considered to be serious at this point. Coleman signed a minor league contract with the Reds this offseason after amassing a 4.69 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 48 innings with the Dodgers last year. Consider him day-to-day unless anything changes.