MLB Player News

Kimbrel (quadriceps) expects to make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The veteran closer had to cut a live batting practice session short over the weekend due to quad soreness, but he faced hitters Monday and reported feeling "great" Tuesday morning. With that, he appears to be in the clear for his debut in an Orioles uniform. Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million deal in December to replace the injured Felix Bautista (elbow) in the ninth inning.

Martinez walked one and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against the Brewers.

The Reds deployed Martinez and Andrew Abbott in their two split-squad games. Abbott is penciled in for the rotation, but Martinez's role is less clear. He wants to start but has been effective in a dual starter/reliever role.

Woods Richardson has worked on adjusting his arm angle this spring from a strictly 12 o'clock release to down a few slots, MLB.com reports. Woods Richardson threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in his spring debut Monday against the Yankees.

Woods Richardson took a step backward last season at Triple-A with a 4.91 ERA and 7.6 K/9 along with an increased walk rate to 4.8 BB/9. He also struggled in his one outing in the majors, giving up five runs in 4.2 innings. He's never had great velocity, so it was encouraging to see his fastball sit in the 92-94 mph range, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. While he'll likely need to prove himself at Triple-A before getting another extended shot in the majors, he could be counted on this summer if Minnesota's rotation depth is tested.

Hendriks (elbow) was spotted Monday playing catch from about 60 feet, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Hendriks is in the early stages of his throwing program after undergoing Tommy John surgery Aug. 2. The veteran reliever has stated that he hopes to be ready to make his Red Sox debut by late July, though the final month of the season may represent a more realistic target for Hendriks, assuming he navigates his throwing program without issue. Hendriks signed a two-year deal with Boston last week, with the organization bringing him aboard with the aim of having him being a more impactful contributor out of the bullpen in 2025.

Wesneski allowed four runs on six hits across 1.1 innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out one.

Wesneski got off to a rough start as he competes for the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation. The righty, who posted a 4.63 ERA across 34 games (11 starts) for the Cubs last season, should still have a handful of opportunities to make his case. Javier Assad, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks are likely the top competition at this point. Wesneski could have some fantasy value if he wins the job, though he'll need to be a little more consistent to really take a step forward in 2024.

The Twins placed Winder (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Monday.

Winder's move to the IL is in correspondence with the Twins acquiring outfielder Manuel Margot, infielder Rayne Doncon and cash considerations from the Dodgers in exchange for Noah Miller. Winder has been slowly building his way back from a right scapula stress fracture he sustained late in 2023, and he will now be forced to sit out for the first portion of 2024. Before his injury last season, Winder appeared in 19 games in the majors and posted a 2-1 record with a 4.15 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB.

Thompson will have his elbow re-evaluated early this week, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander has yet to throw in camp after reporting soreness when he first arrived, and if the elbow hasn't improved with rest, Thompson could potentially be facing Tommy John surgery. "Keeping my fingers crossed," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday. "To be honest with you, I'm a little concerned." Thompson showed flashes last year of becoming a high-leverage option in the team's bullpen, but he finished the 2023 season with a 5.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 54 innings.

The Giants reassigned Szapucki (pectoral) to minor-league camp Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Though Szapucki received an invitation to big-league spring training after re-signing with the Giants on a minor-league deal in November, he didn't appear in any Cactus League games while he continues to recover from the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent last May. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Szapucki had his first rib removed as part of the procedure, along with his pectoralis minor and one of his scalene muscles. He's been able to throw off a mound during camp and is expected to be ready to make his season debut in April or May, likely with Triple-A Sacramento.

Santos (lat) will resume a throwing program Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos has been slowed this spring by some soreness in his right lat, which cropped up during an early bullpen session. He's made the necessary progress to be cleared to throw again and will presumably start with some flat-ground work before progressing to the mound and facing hitters. Santos has time to be ready for Opening Day but can't afford a setback.

Dubin will be shut down from throwing for three days because of right shoulder inflammation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Some early spring shoulder inflammation isn't uncommon, but it won't help his bid for a bullpen spot. Dubin allowed seven runs over nine innings while striking out 11 during his brief time with the Astros last season.