MLB Player News

Beeter is a candidate to claim a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day rotation if Gerrit Cole (elbow) needs to miss time, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Beeter has impressed in Grapefruit League play this spring, posting a 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB over nine innings across three outings, including two starts. In the right-hander's most recent appearance, he recorded four scoreless frames with four strikeouts against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Cole has already undergone an MRI and is slated for additional testing on his pitching elbow, and manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Monday that the ace is unlikely to be ready for the start of the campaign, per Erik Boland of Newsday. Along with Beeter, fellow youngsters Will Warren and Luis Gil are candidates to fill in for Cole if he does indeed need to miss time, although Warren isn't on the 40-man roster.

Thompson, who logged a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, has yet to allow a run this spring.

Thompson has only tossed three innings across three Cactus League appearances, so it's a small sample size, but he's looked good so far. After making 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, the righty worked entirely in relief last season, and he struggled with a 4.71 ERA across 28.2 innings. Now that Thompson has settled in a bit more as a reliever, he'll look for better results in 2024, though it likely will be in a lower-leverage role.

Cuas allowed a run on three hits in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, pushing his spring ERA to 1.50.

Cuas came into the game having logged five straight scoreless appearances this spring, and he's struck out eight batters in six innings overall. The righty is trying to build on an effective 2023 campaign, when he posted a 3.99 ERA and struck out 71 across 65.1 total innings with the Cubs and Royals. Cuas will likely work in middle relief, however, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Matsui (back) will pitch in the Padres' Cactus League finale against the A's on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Back tightness cost Matsui several weeks of his first major-league spring training after he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December. However, the lefty made it through an intrasquad game over the weekend and his imminent return to exhibition play bodes well for his chances of making the trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the Dodgers. Matsui was a top closer in Japan and could eventually find his way into the ninth inning, though MLB.com is projecting him to to open the season as one of the team's primary setup men.

Thielbar (hamstring) still isn't able to run at full speed, but he believes he'll be ready for Opening Day, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He threw another batting practice session Tuesday.

It's a little worrisome he can't run at full speed, but it sounds like he has enough time to be ready for the start of the season. He will try to progress to appearing in a spring game in the next week. Thielbar is an impact reliever who will serve in the setup corps for the Twins again this season.

Martin (lat) allowed one hit and struck one over one scoreless inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Padres.

Martin pitched in a game for the first time since last spring. He missed the entire 2023 season due to a tear in the lat tendon of his right shoulder. The right-hander may not have enough time to be ready for the start of the season, but Martin's performance Tuesday suggests he'll get an opportunity to contribute for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2024.

Sands could make Minnesota's major-league roster in a long-relief role to begin the season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands shuffled between Triple-A and the majors multiple times last season, working in a long-relief role with the Twins. He posted a respectable 3.74 ERA, but it was accompanied by an 8.7 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. If he begins the season in the majors, he may end up splitting time between Triple-A and the big-league club again.

Staumont may not make the opening roster due to decreased velocity this spring, with his fastball clocking 92-94 mph in games, MLB.com reports. He has a 4.50 ERA with two strikeouts and three walks in four innings this spring.

Staumont is working his way back after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July. He has a minor-league option left, so he may begin the season in Triple-A as he builds back to full speed.

Berroa was sidelined Tuesday due to an injury in his arm/shoulder, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Details regarding the nature of Berroa's injury or a potential return timeline are currently unknown. Berroa found consistent success at the Double-A level last year with a 2.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 101 strikeouts across 65.1 frames, and he held his own on the mound during his two MLB appearances with the Mariners. The 23-year-old reliever was in the hunt to make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen, but his injured shoulder could put his chances in jeopardy.

The White Sox optioned Horn to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Horn opened spring camp with the Cubs, but he was traded to the White Sox on Feb. 27 and has surrendered one run in five innings since joining the South Siders. The 26-year-old southpaw logged a 4.58 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 53 frames in Triple-A last season, but a strong start in Charlotte could earn Horn a promotion into what projects to be a relatively weak White Sox bullpen.