MLB Player News

Bradford looks to no longer have a spot in the Rangers' rotation following the addition of Michael Lorenzen, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After signing earlier this week, Lorenzen confirmed in an interview Friday that he will join the Rangers' rotation. Bradford had previously been named the team's fifth starter but now could shift to the bullpen or Triple-A Round Rock, although it's possible he will be needed for a start or two if Lorenzen isn't deemed ready yet.

Finnegan (back) allowed one earned run on three hits with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He was struck on his right foot by a comebacker in the top of the seventh inning but quickly waved off the training staff and insisted he was fine, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander was fortunate that the comebacker struck the padded portion of the heel of his right shoe, absorbing the impact. Finnegan had been sidelined for over a week due to lower-back tightness, but he said after Thursday's appearance that he felt "great" physically. While he has Hunter Harvey breathing down his neck for save chances, Finnegan appears in line to open the season as the primary closer in Washington. He's expected to make one more appearance this spring to prepare for Opening Day.

Criswell allowed two hits and struck out four over four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against Baltimore.

Criswell emerged as a starting candidate following Lucas Giolito's elbow injury and made his fourth Grapefruit League start Thursday. The right-hander has a 3.14 ERA with 13 strikeouts and two walks across 14.1 innings in his four starts and sports a 2.95 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings overall.

Martinez (ribs) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against Seattle.

Martinez hadn't pitched in a Cactus League game since Mar. 8. He hadn't allowed a run all spring until Thursday's first inning, when the Mariners scored three times. As for his health, the right-hander told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that his ribs and oblique felt fine after the outing. Martinez will be part of the starting rotation to open the season.

Tarnok (hip), who threw a 20-pitch, all-fastballs bullpen session Tuesday, is set to begin the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, MLB.com reports.

Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed Wednesday that Tarnok will open the season with the Aviators, although the move has yet to be made official. Tarnok's next bullpen session will therefore come in minor-league camp, and if he continues without setbacks, he could be ready to join the major-league club before the end of April.

Brebbia (calf) allowed one hit and struck out one across one scoreless inning in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Brebbia worked in a minor-league game Monday but was able to appear in big-league action Thursday for the first time this spring. According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Brebbia is expected to be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback. The closer role is undefined heading into the regular season, so Brebbia may pick up save chances if he proves to be healthy.

Garrett was released by the Giants on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Garrett joined the Giants on a minor-league deal as spring training began and was expected to make the bullpen. However, he struggled throughout Cactus League action, allowing nine earned runs across 6.1 innings while maintaining just a 3:7 K:BB. Garrett pitched effectively with the Royals in 2023, so he may get a shot with another team.

Bednar (lat) allowed two hits and struck out one across a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Bednar has been sidelined by lat tightness for just over two weeks, though he has downplayed the seriousness of the injury. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bednar's pitches looked sharp and his fastball sat consistently at 97 mph. It's expected that he will be ready for Opening Day.

Martin (groin) allowed two hits and an unearned run while recording just one out in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Martin has been bothered by the groin injury since March 9, with Thursday marking his spring training debut. He was understandably rusty, so his results aren't of particular concern yet. Martin is expected to be ready for Opening Day, and he projects to serve as Boston's top setup man.

Jansen (back) felt good after his Grapefruit League appearance Thursday and expects to be ready for Opening Day, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Jansen made just his second appearance of the spring Thursday, as he's been hampered by both back and lat issues. Despite that, he plans to be available on Opening Day, and he should be locked into the closer role. The Red Sox could be careful with his usage early in the campaign, however. Jansen pitched well Thursday, completing one scoreless inning while throwing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes.