MLB Player News

Holderman (illness) said Sunday that he expects to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Holderman was able to throw a bullpen session Saturday and seems to be coming out on the other side of his prolonged battle with a viral ailment, but since he lost 15 pounds while recovering from the illness and also required a hospital stay, the Pirates won't try to rush him back for the start of the season. Assuming Holderman is able to steadily regain conditioning and advance through his throwing program while the illness fades further in the rear-view mirror, he should be ready to join the Pittsburgh bullpen when first eligible to return from the IL in the second week of April.

Pivetta allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out nine over six innings in Saturday's spring start against the Twins.

Pivetta finished out his Grapefruit League work on Saturday, raising his strikeout total to 22 over 18 innings. The right-hander will start Boston's second game of the season, which will take place Friday in Seattle.

The Orioles optioned Baker to minor-league camp Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 51:24 K:BB across 45 innings for Baltimore last season, and he allowed just one run with an 8:5 K:BB over seven innings during spring training. It likely won't be too long before Baker receives another look in the big leagues.

Montas allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rockies.

Montas appeared to have righted himself the last two times out following a couple of shaky outings, finishing the Cactus League on a high note. He next prepares for Thursday's Opening Day start at home against Washington. He talked to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer about getting his repertoire in shape. "Being able to use my four-seam and two seam, not just being able to use it but also getting good results," the right-hander said. "My slider is there. My cutter is there. I threw some really good splitters today." Montas finished the spring with a 5.94 ERA, 16 strikeouts, five walks and five home runs allowed over five starts.

Sewald threw a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

It wasn't a save situation, but manager Torey Lovullo gave Sewald a taste of the closer's role by having him enter the ninth inning. He has not allowed a run in six spring outings and appears ready for the regular season. The Diamondbacks have one more Cactus League game Sunday followed by a pair of exhibition matchups Monday and Tuesday, so Sewald could get one more outing before Thursday's Opening Day against Colorado.

The Nationals reassigned Barnes to minor-league camp Saturday.

Barnes pitched well this spring but still wasn't able to crack the Opening Day bullpen. It's not clear whether he plans to opt out of his contract or report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the season.

Winckowski has revealed that he's been pitching with a bone chip in his right ankle since last season, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

By the time Winckowski discovered the issue, he wouldn't have been able to have surgery and be ready in time for Opening Day, so he's putting it off for now. It's possible it could affect his performance, although he's had a decent-enough spring. Winckowski will be used in middle relief for the Red Sox.

The Marlins reassigned Givens to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Givens didn't sign until mid-March, so he had an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever could still see lots of action in the Marlins' bullpen this season, but he'll head to Triple-A Jacksonville for now to knock some rust off.

Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Kerkering (illness) will begin the regular season on the 15-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kerkering hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 1 due to a bout with the flu, and though he's starting to make progress in his recovery, he missed too much time in camp to put himself in position to make the Opening Day roster. A long-term absence isn't expected, but the Phillies likely won't want to rush the 22-year-old right-hander back after he went over three weeks without pitching. He'll first be eligible to return from the IL on April 9.

The Blue Jays optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Little struggled in his first spring with Toronto, surrendering six earned runs in 6.1 innings. The 27-year-old southpaw spent all of last season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, recording a 4.05 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 73.1 frames.