MLB Player News

Morris has been battling a case of the flu in recent days, David O'Brien of the AJC reports.

The right-hander is one of a few Braves players currently dealing with flu-like symptoms. Morris has made one appearance this spring, striking out three batters over 2.0 scoreless innings. He's one of several hurlers vying for a spot in the bullpen on the Opening Day roster.

Maurer -- who is going to make his spring training debut Friday -- will compete with Carter Capps for the closer role in San Diego.

While his 4.52 ERA looks poor on paper, Maurer settled in nicely as closer in the second half last season, posting a respectable 3.09 ERA after taking over the role. Still, the 26-year-old didn't build enough goodwill to simply have the job handed to him. A healthy Capps will give him more than enough competition, so how Maurer performs in Cactus League action could dictate which reliever manager Andy Green decides to roll with come Opening Day. The former is dealing with a comeback from Tommy John surgery as well as a potential change in delivery due to new MLB rules, so Maurer should be considered the early favorite to win the job.

Floro (arm) has yet to allow a run in three spring appearances.

Including Thursday's scoreless frame against the Reds, the right-hander also has been displaying excellent control with 10 of his 16 pitches going for strikes and only two batters reaching base against him. Floro is a long-shot to earn a roster spot given he's not even on the 40-man roster, but could be headed for Chicago later in the season if he continues to find success in the bullpen at Triple-A Iowa.

Smith (elbow) has been throwing and is on track with his recovery from minor elbow inflammation, according to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area.

Smith had been shut down earlier this spring after he experienced some inflammation in his left elbow. It was more of a case of the Giants taking extra precaution during a longer spring training than usual rather than a sign of a serious injury. It is unclear when the Giants' left-handed setup man will make his Cactus League debut, but the team still plans on getting him in six games before the regular season kicks off.

Robles struck out two in two shutout innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 26-year-old with the career 10.0 K/9 in the majors is expected to fill a setup role for the Mets this season, which could mean regular eighth-inning duty early in the year while Jeurys Familia serves his expected suspension. Robles stands an excellent chance of topping the 13 holds he recorded in 2016, giving him value in formats that use the category.

Montero threw two perfect innings of relief in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, striking out four.

He's now struck out six batters over four shutout innings to begin his spring. Montero's role is still uncertain heading into the 2017 season, and indeed there's no guarantee he's even on the Opening Day 25-man roster, but if he continues pitching like this he could force his way into the fifth starter battle between Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo.

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.