MLB Player News

Cano has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but the Orioles are taking a slow approach with the right-hander, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Cano has done side sessions and will continue to do so for a few more days. Manager Brandon Hyde explained that Cano's heavy workload last season -- 72.2 innings -- has played a part in taking it slow with the reliever. Craig Kimbrel is expected to close games for the Orioles in 2024, but Cano is the next man up in the bullpen should Kimbrel get hurt or pitch poorly.

Swanson (personal) has returned to Blue Jays' camp, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Swanson was away for a few days after his son, Toby, was struck by an SUV on Sunday in Florida. Most importantly, this means Toby's condition is improving. Secondarily, Swanson can now resume his throwing program and has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Matsui (back) resumed playing catch Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The left-hander was shut down from throwing the past few days due to back inflammation, but he's back to playing catch Friday. Matsui will likely need to stretch out his throwing distance before returning to mound work, so he should be at least a week or two away from being ready for game action.

Rainey topped out at 92 mph with his fastball while working a scoreless inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander made only one appearance last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but he's healthy coming into camp and looking to regain a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen. Rainey averaged 97.0 mph with his fastball in 2022 prior to going under the knife, but he said after Thursday's game he wasn't concerned about the radar gun readings. "You go back and look at my springs the past four or five years, that's probably harder than I'm usually throwing [at this point]," Rainey said. "I've started springs before at 88-89 mph. The velocity is not an issue... Hopefully from here on, it's a normal spring training, every two or three days on the mound. Being able to work on things while I'm pitching. That way come mid-late March, we're in midseason form and ready to go." Even if he returns to form, Rainey figures to open the season behind both Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey in the pecking order for saves.

Finnegan threw three sweepers at 84-85 mph among his 15 pitches during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 32-year-old right-hander has gotten solid results in his big-league career with a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph in 2023 along with a a splitter and occasional slider that both sit about 90 mph, but Finnegan worked this offseason to add something slower to his arsenal to give batters a different look. The early results Wednesday with the sweeper were encouraging, as one of them generated an awkward swing on strike three from Ceddanne Rafaela. Finnegan threw his fastball 70 percent of the time last year and that likely isn't going to change, but the sweeper could help boost a strikeout rate that sunk to a career-low 21.9 percent. After recording a career-high 28 saves in 2023, Finnegan will be in the closing mix this season for the Nationals along with Hunter Harvey and potentially Tanner Rainey.

Brash was diagnosed with medial right elbow inflammation Friday and is expected to start playing catch early next week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Recent reports indicated Brash could be dealing with a serious arm injury, but it appears to be a more minor issue that won't keep him shut down for long. Still, the right-hander is likely to begin the season on the injured list, with the Mariners expected to build him up cautiously.

Soriano will be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Soriano showed last season that he can be a high-leverage reliever, and he still may very well settle back into that role. However, he does have past experience as a starter in the minors and the Angels will give him a shot to see if he can handle it. The 25-year-old is expected to throw three innings in his next Cactus League appearance.

Beck is scheduled to undergo vascular surgery Monday to address the aneurysm in his upper right arm, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was diagnosed with the aneurysm Thursday after experiencing hand discomfort earlier in the week, and there won't be much of a delay before he goes in for surgery. Beck has already been ruled out for Opening Day, and a return timeline won't be established until after the procedure.

Dubin (shoulder) has not yet been cleared to resume a throwing program, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros initially said Dubin would be shut down for three days due to right shoulder inflammation, but he's past that mark and isn't ready to throw just yet. He probably still has time to get ready for Opening Day but will need to progress in a hurry.

Patino has reported to Padres' camp after being delayed by visa issues, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Patino landed back in his original organization via waiver claim this offseason. It's not clear whether the Padres plan to stretch him out to start or if he's pegged for a relief role. The latter would certainly be the most expedient way to get him ready for Opening Day after the delay.