MLB Player News

Okert (groin) is unlikely to be ready for the beginning of the season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Okert began experiencing adductor tightness in his inner left thigh earlier this week and is not scheduled to pitch in the Marlins' final set of Grapefruit League games. "Bad timing obviously," the reliever said Friday. "There's never a good time to get hurt, but [especially] right at the end of camp. Just got to get healthy and come back so I can help the team as best I can."

Herrin has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster for the Guardians, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Herrin was added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft in November, and the southpaw registered an 11:2 K:BB with a 4.66 ERA over nine appearances in the Cactus League before receiving the good news. Herrin will likely will pitch in the middle innings while with the Guardians.

Kelly was reassigned Friday to the minor-league side of Guardians camp, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin will claim the final two spots in the Opening Day bullpen for Cleveland. Kelly made his MLB debut with the Phillies last year at age 29 but logged only four inning of relief before being outrighted off their 40-man roster in July.

Cordero is "in a good spot" to make the Yankees' Opening Day roster, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com Friday.

Not having options left improves his chances, but Cordero has also impressed with a 9:1 K:BB over nine innings this spring. The 31-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2020 with the White Sox.

Hatch struck out one in a perfect sixth inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The fact that the right-hander was being used for a short relief outing this late in camp could be a sign the Blue Jays plan to transition him to the bullpen on a full-time basis this season rather than stretching him back out to start at Triple-A Buffalo. Hatch's 9.35 ERA and 2.08 WHIP through 8.2 innings this spring are ugly, but they come with an 11:2 K:BB, and he could be an option later this season when the big-league 'pen needs reinforcements.

Hjelle appears to be in line for a spot in the Giants' Opening Day bullpen, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hjelle has covered 15 innings over five Cactus League outings, pitching to an excellent 1.80 ERA and 18:2 K:BB. The Giants' rotation remains crowded even with concerns around Alex Cobb's knee, but Hjelle should get a chance to be a long reliever or tandem starter early in the season. The right-hander made all eight of his major-league appearances out of the bullpen last season, but he's worked exclusively as a starter in the minors.

Norris signed a minor-league deal with the Guardians on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

After being released by the Reds on Monday, the 29-year-old reliever will get a shot with Cleveland and report directly to minor-league camp. Norris put up a 5.22 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 58.2 major-league innings last season with the Cubs and Tigers, and he will likely begin the season at Triple-A.

Tate (elbow) threw another side session Friday in Orioles camp, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Tate continues to make steady progress in his recovery from a November flexor strain, but he is still expected to spend the first month of the 2023 campaign on the injured list. The 28-year-old worked to a 3.05 ERA and 60:16 K:BB over 73.2 innings of relief for Baltimore in 2022.

Luetge struck out one in a perfect eighth inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

A.J. Minter worked the ninth, as manager Brian Snitker perhaps offered a preview of how he intends to deploy his bullpen lefties while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is on the shelf. Luetge, who has a 7:1 K:BB this spring through 5.2 innings, posted strong numbers for the Yankees the last two seasons in middle relief but managed only nine holds in 107 appearances. He could wind up seeing more high-leverage work for Atlanta in 2023.

Treinen (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a throwing program Monday.

He'll play catch for the first time since undergoing right shoulder surgery in November. Treinen is hoping to make it back at some point late this season, but he could very well be out until 2024.