MLB Player News

Adcock (undisclosed) gave up an earned run on one hit over one inning of relief Tuesday in the Mariners' 10-9 Cactus League loss to the Rangers.

The one-inning outing marked Adcock's spring debut, after the Mariners had elected to take things slowly in camp with the right-hander while he managed an unspecified health concern. Adcock reached the big leagues for the first time in 2023, working 15.2 innings out of the Seattle bullpen while pitching to a 3.45 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that Stephenson (shoulder) will have time to get the appearances he needs in order to be ready for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The right-hander is working his way back from a sore pitching shoulder, but it sounds like he'll be part of the Halos' Opening Day bullpen. Stephenson will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and, assuming that goes off without a hitch, he will throw off the mound again this weekend. If healthy, Stephenson is slated for setup duties ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.

Alzolay (illness) struck out one and worked around a base hit in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Guardians in Cactus League play.

Alzolay had been in line to make his second appearance of spring training last Friday, but the Cubs scratched him from the pitching schedule after he came down with the illness. The right-hander quickly overcame the ailment, clearing up any lingering concern about his status heading into Opening Day. Though Alzolay paced the Cubs with 22 saves in 2023, he could face competition for save chances from the likes of Hector Neris, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Cubs in January.

Fujinami (personal) returned to the Mets' camp this week and is scheduled to appear in relief during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The upcoming appearance will mark the spring debut for Fujinami, who signed a one-year deal with the Mets in early February but was a late arrival to camp while he remained in his home country of Japan to attend to a family matter. Since the Mets are likely viewing Fujinami as a one- or two-inning reliever this season, he'll likely need just a handful of appearances in the spring to get fully ramped up for Opening Day.

Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

It's possible the session is postponed due to rainy conditions in Florida, but if not, it will be the first time Jansen has faced hitters this spring as he works his way back from right lat soreness. The 36-year-old closer shouldn't require too many Grapefruit League appearances to prep for Opening Day, so he has plenty of time to get ready as long as he avoids setbacks.

The Red Sox optioned Walter to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Walter has had a good spring, yielding just one run with a 4:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings. The Red Sox don't have room for him in the rotation or bullpen, though, so he'll begin the season at Worcester, where he'll likely serve as a starter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called Holmes "our closer" following Tuesday's spring training loss to the Mets, per the New York Post.

Holmes began last season in a diverse high-leverage role, mixing in closing duties with work in the seventh and eighth innings. However, all but two of his 28 outings following the All-Star break came in the ninth frame or later. Boone's comments Tuesday suggest that Holmes is safely entrenched as the Yankees' closer ahead of the coming campaign, and he could easily challenge the career-best 24 saves he racked up last season if he remains in that role throughout the year.

White (elbow) has been cleared for all baseball activities and may return to game action this weekend, MLB.com reports.

White has been dealing with right elbow soreness for a few weeks, but it seems like a return to Grapefruit League play is imminent. The righty made his MLB debut last season, logging a 5.09 ERA across 40.2 innings, and he should have a shot at a middle-relief role to start this year assuming he's healthy.

Jackson has allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four over two Cactus League innings.

Jackson missed all of 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He bounced back over the latter half of 2023, posting a 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB over 33.1 innings. Jackson's strikeout totals give him some real upside, but he doesn't have a clear path to consistent late-inning work with the Giants. The right-hander should mainly pitch in the middle innings, which could give him chances to vulture wins since the Giants have a lot of uncertainty in their rotation.

Walker has allowed a hit and hit one batsman over two scoreless innings in Cactus League play.

Walker has not walked or struck out a batter. He was a bit of a fireman in 2023, serving as an opener 13 times in 49 appearances while pitching to a 3.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 78:24 K:BB over 61.1 innings. That gives him strikeout upside, but the change in managers from Gabe Kapler to Bob Melvin could mean a more steady low-leverage relief role for Walker. The Giants look set in the late innings, headlined by closer Camilo Doval, so Walker shouldn't be counted on for many saves or holds in 2024.