MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Daniel made three appearances for the Angels in the final month of last season, surrendering just three runs in 12.1 innings while striking out nine batters and walking nine. The 26-year-old got off to a strong start in the Cactus League as well, but he will now head to Triple-A to begin the season. If Daniel is able to stay hot in the minors, there is a decent chance he gets another look in the majors sometime this summer.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Bowlan will head to the minors after surrendering two runs off five hits and two walks while striking out two batters in 3.1 innings during spring training. The 27-year-old righty posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 67 frames with Omaha last season, and he will likely need to show further improvement in Triple-A before the Royals bring him back to the big-league squad.

Middleton left the Cardinals' camp Thursday to watch his brother play in Oregon's state basketball tournament, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton has served as a part-time coach for his brother's team and arranged for his absence when he signed with the Cardinals in the offseason. He is expected to return to camp Sunday. The 30-year-old reliever has thrown two scoreless innings this spring with one strikeout and is in line to serve in middle relief for the Cardinals in 2024.

Burr was removed from Thursday's appearance versus the Rays with tightness in the back of his right shoulder, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Burr induced a groundout and a strikeout but then allowed a single to the third batter he faced before being lifted. The right-handed reliever will likely have tests done on the shoulder. Burr is in camp with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee.

Zerpa allowed a run on two hits and struck out five without walking a batter over three innings in his first spring start Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Zerpa's first two appearances of the Cactus League slate had come out of the bullpen, but the Royals are intent on keeping him stretched out as a starter. He's started six of his 19 major-league appearances, though he primarily worked as a long reliever in 2023 when he was with the Royals. Zerpa faces an uphill battle to make the rotation out of camp, but he should be one of the first options available for a call-up from Triple-A Omaha once the season is underway -- if he doesn't end up serving as a swingman in the bullpen.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Kilian will be sidelined until around the All-Star break after an MRI revealed a teres major strain in his right shoulder, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Counsell noted that it's the type of injury which can have varying timelines, but Kilian isn't expected to be pitching anytime soon. The loss of Kilian is a hit to the team's starting pitching depth, as he was likely slated to open the season in the Triple-A Iowa rotation.

The Rangers optioned White to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

White was one of four pitchers sent to minor-league camp in the Rangers' latest round of roster cuts. The 24-year-old right-hander made two relief appearances for Texas last season but otherwise spent the 2023 campaign in the minors with Round Rock and Double-A Frisco. White is expected to be a full-time member of the Round Rock rotation in 2024.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Hughes to minor-league camp Thursday.

Hughes finished the 2023 season on the Cubs' 60-day injured list while he recovered from left knee surgery, but since he was making minor-league rehab appearances in September, he seemingly entered the offseason with a clean bill of health. After the Cubs non-tendered him in November, Hughes caught on with the Diamondbacks on a minor-league deal in free agency and turned in a 2.45 ERA while striking out five over 3.2 innings through his four Cactus League appearances. Though Hughes' solid spring wasn't enough to help him secure a spot in Arizona's Opening Day bullpen, he could be in the mix for a promotion to the big club if he continues to excel at Triple-A Reno early in the season.

Kowar will meet with a doctor Friday to have his sore right arm examined, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners gave Kowar a couple days to rest and that evidently didn't knock the soreness out, so he's set to be evaluated further. It's not clear whether the soreness is in his elbow or shoulder. Kowar might have been pitching his way into a bullpen spot with three strikeouts over two scoreless innings this spring, but now it's possible he could be sidelined for a while.

Kelly (oblique) said Thursday that he expects to resume throwing off a mound next week and be ready in time for Opening Day, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Kelly is dealing with left oblique soreness, but the reliever is optimistic he can avoid a stint on the injured list. The 29-year-old wouldn't appear to be a lock for the Opening Day roster, however, as he's struggled this spring in allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over three innings.