MLB Player News

Antone (elbow) is on a normal schedule this spring, Gordon Wittenmyer and Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer report.

Antone didn't pitch at all in 2022 following Tommy John surgery and made just 19 total appearances between the majors and minors in 2023. He finished last year on the injured list with right elbow tendinitis but told reporters last week that he's "full go and ready to rock" this spring. Antone has been a dominant reliever when healthy, collecting a career 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 94:31 K:BB over 74.2 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons. He figures to be in the mix for high-leverage spots in 2024 if he can stay off the IL.

Rolison (undisclosed) was spotted throwing off flat ground at Rockies camp Wednesday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Rolison didn't pitch after June 2 last season due to an unspecified injury, with the extended absence once again costing the 26-year-old some meaningful development time after his entire 2022 season was wiped out by shoulder surgery. Though Rolison looks to be healthy entering camp, he was moved off the 40-man roster in the offseason and will likely need to pitch well for an extended period at Triple-A Albuquerque before he gets the chance to make his MLB debut.

Winn underwent an MRI after feeling right elbow soreness following his last bullpen session, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The good news is the MRI came back negative, so the Giants are hopeful that he'll be OK following a few days of rest. Still, any elbow-related injury should garner some cause for concern. Assuming health, Winn is tentatively lined up to open the season as San Francisco's fourth starter. He posted a 4.68 ERA and 35:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings in 2023.

Middleton (illness) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton was a late arrival to camp after he battled a stomach bug last week, but the fact that he's taking the mound to face hitters Wednesday suggests he's overcome the illness. After signing a one-year, $5 million contract in free agency, Middleton is projected to be a key part of the late-inning bridge to closer Ryan Helsley in 2024.

Moll experienced some shoulder soreness in his offseason throwing program and thus is behind the other Reds pitchers in camp, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll is still expected to be ready for the start of the season and is playing catch, but he's the one pitcher behind his teammates so far this spring.

Like teammate Hunter Greene, as well as a good portion of other pitchers in baseball, Sims is working on a splitter this spring, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims wants to have a better third pitch to use against lefties, as he hasn't been happy with his results when using a changeup. The Reds should have a deeper bullpen this season, which might limit the chances for Sims to record saves or holds; however, that might also allow him to be stronger on a per-outing basis.

Bednar remains the Pirates' closer after the team signed Aroldis Chapman this offseason, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bednar has posted three consecutive excellent seasons with the Pirates, and he's served as the closer for the latter two. It therefore hardly comes as a surprise that he's locked into the role in 2024, but manager Derek Shelton went out of his way early in camp to make clear that Bednar is first in line for saves.

Giants manager Bob Melvin indicated Tuesday that Winn is in a favorable spot to capture one of the open spots in the rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Melvin noted that he has four pitchers in mind in competition for the fourth and fifth rotation spots, but Winn and Tristan Beck are the clear early front-runners. Winn, 26, posted a 4.68 ERA and 35:8 K:BB across 42.1 frames covering five starts and four relief appearances with San Francisco in 2023. The Giants will eventually get Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) back, but Winn and Beck could both have time to establish themselves before then.

Giants manager Bob Melvin indicated Tuesday that Beck is in good position to win one of the spots in the rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck, 27, pitched mostly in relief for the Giants in 2023, collecting a 3.92 ERA and 68:21 K:BB over 85 innings covering 33 appearances (three starts). He's mostly been a starter in the minors, though, and it sounds like he'll get a chance to be part of the Giants' rotation at least until Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) are ready. Keaton Winn is the other likely candidate to slide in behind Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison.

Ginkel (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Ginkel came into camp with some right elbow soreness, but the fact he was able to play catch over the weekend and now return to the bump is certainly an encouraging development. It's not clear when he might be cleared for game action, but Ginkel is trending in a positive direction.