MLB Player News

Lee (shoulder) will need to pitch well this spring to ensure he breaks camp on the big-league roster, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old southpaw dazzled in 2022 with a 2.13 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB through 50.2 innings, but shoulder trouble rendered him far less effective last season and he underwent surgery in October. Lee's healthy to begin the spring, but he faces plenty of competition for a spot in the bullpen after Atlanta added Aaron Bummer, Reynaldo Lopez, Ken Giles and other relief arms this offseason. As Lee still has minor-league options remaining, he could find himself on the outside looking in when camp breaks if he doesn't force the issue with his performance.

Tarnok (hip) is a bit behind schedule at the beginning of Athletics camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Tarnok needed surgery on his right hip last August and will be eased into things this spring. The 25-year-old will be in the mix for a spot in Oakland's rotation once he's ready to roll, although a trip back to Triple-A Las Vegas to knock some rust off at the start of 2024 seems likely.

Newcomb (knee) is slightly behind schedule at the start of Athletics camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Newcomb had surgery on his left knee in September and on his right knee in December and is still working his way back into shape from those procedures. At this point, he should not be at risk of being unavailable for Opening Day. Newcomb is likely pegged for a long relief role.

Lopez will be stretched out as a starter to begin spring training, but his ultimate role remains uncertain, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The flamethrowing right-hander hasn't been able to find much sustained success during his career, but Lopez did post a combined 3.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 146:45 K:BB over 131.1 innings over the last two seasons while getting the start in only one of his 129 appearances, so he seems better suited to bullpen work. On the other hand, he converted only six of 17 save chances during that time, suggesting he's a risky option in high-leverage spots. Nonetheless, an Atlanta squad that had its rotation depth tested in 2023 will keep its options open with the 30-year-old early in the spring. However he gets deployed, Lopez figures to have a significant role after signing a three-year, $26 million contract with the AL East champs in November.

Bachman is expected to miss the first month of the season following right shoulder surgery last October, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Bachman missed the final three months of last season with a shoulder issue which eventually required a cleanup procedure. The 24-year-old was pitching in relief for the Angels before getting hurt but is slated to open the 2024 season in the Triple-A Salt Lake rotation, once healthy.

Young is set to be evaluated after feeling back tightness during a throwing session Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It doesn't seem to be a major concern at this point, but Young will be examined before being cleared to resume his throwing program. The left-hander collected a a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB across 53.2 frames for Cincinnati in 2023 and, assuming health, will open 2024 in its bullpen.

Bazardo will be behind schedule in his throwing program this spring due to an undisclosed injury, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It's not clear at this point what Bazardo is dealing with or how far behind he might be. The 28-year-old reliever finished strong for the Mariners last season, holding a 2.63 ERA and 14:4 K:BB over 13.2 innings of work. Once healthy, he should occupy a middle-relief role.

Santos (elbow) will be a bit behind schedule at the start of Mariners camp, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos ended last season with a right elbow injury and will be held back from mound work for a while this spring. Seattle felt confident enough in the reliever's health to trade for him earlier this month, so he doesn't seem to be in any danger of not being ready for Opening Day.

Bard did not need to have the meniscus repaired as initially expected during his arthroscopic left knee surgery Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He merely had a cleanup performed instead, which has shortened his timetable to return from 5-to-7 weeks down to four weeks. A stint on the injured list still seems likely for Bard, but it might now be a relatively short one. Once healthy, the 38-year-old could eventually be in the mix for saves in Colorado's bullpen.

Trivino (elbow) said Thursday that he's hoping to return at some point in the middle of the season, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Recovering from last May's Tommy John surgery, Trivino has already resumed throwing off a mound and is feeling good. The veteran reliever re-signed with the Yankees on Wednesday on a one-year contract with a club option for 2025.