MLB Player News

Winckowski will pitch in relief during Thursday's spring game against the Pirates, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

Winckowski will pitch after Kutter Crawford during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh. The right-hander is competing with Crawford for the final spot in the Boston rotation, and he has yet to allow a run this spring with a 10:4 K:BB in his 10 innings of work in Florida. Winckowski or Crawford could also be options out of the bullpen, and the odd man out also is a candidate to head to Triple-A Worcester to remain stretched out for a possible promotion back to the big leagues over the summer.

Santillan (back) is scheduled to pitch a minor-league game Wednesday for the Reds in Arizona, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This will be Santillan's first appearance of the spring -- albeit on the minor-league fields -- as he has been sidelined with a back strain that also saw him miss action during the 2022 campaign. The right-hander is hoping to be ready for his 2023 debut by mid-April, and barring unforeseen circumstances, he'll open the regular season on the injured list.

Bird (oblique) allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 14-2 loss to the Padres in Cactus League play.

Bird faced four batters in his spring debut, which had been delayed after he suffered a left oblique strain early in spring training. The injury initially seemed to put him in line to open the season on the injured list, but as a reliever who never threw more than 43 pitches in any of his 38 appearances in 2022, he probably won't require much time to build up. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com, Bird is listed among the Rockies' available relievers for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

Cubs manager David Ross told reporters that Assad is lined up to pitch Thursday for Chicago, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hayden Wesneski is listed as Thursday's probable starter, and it's worth pointing out the two are currently in a battle for one of the final starting spots in Chicago's rotation. Assad impressed in his time with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, and he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs if he doesn't open the season in the starting rotation.

Machado was touching 98 mph with his fastball while pitching for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander is also out of minor-league options, which could give him a leg up on winning one of the final spots in the Nationals' bullpen. Machado also has a 5:0 K:BB through three scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play, so he's done just about everything he can this spring to earn a job. The Nats' bullpen is very unsettled behind Kyle Finnegan, so if Machado's stuff has taken a step forward this offseason, he could work his way into some high-leverage work before long.

Karinchak struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Dodgers.

Karinchak has covered 7.1 innings this spring, though he's allowed five home runs, five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts. There shouldn't be too much concern for his performance this spring, as long as he can leave his uneven pitching in Arizona when the Guardians begin the campaign. Karinchak should serve in a high-leverage role as a setup man to Emmanuel Clase.

Manager Aaron Boone said Kahnle (biceps) should resume throwing in a few days after receiving a cortisone injection Tuesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Kahnle should still miss at least a few weeks to begin the regular season, as biceps tendinitis has prevented him from progressing in his throwing program. Assuming he returns to full health, the veteran right-hander should see some high-leverage opportunities this season in his second stint with the Yankees.

Banda is the only healthy left-handed reliever left in the Nationals' big-league camp and figures to be part of the Opening Day bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old journeyman pitched for three different teams in 2022 with poor results, but Banda has struck out 12 batters in 9.1 innings this spring without allowing a homer. The Nats have gone without a southpaw in their bullpen in the past, so his spot is far from secure; however, if he does break camp on the 26-man roster, Banda figures to work in middle relief rather than seeing consistent high-leverage action.

Ward remains in the mix to break camp as part of the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Ward would have to be offered back to the Red Sox if he doesn't make the roster, giving the Nats extra incentive to find room for him. The 26-year-old right-hander hasn't been a reliever since college and the adjustment to the bullpen this spring hasn't exactly been smooth -- seven of his eight Grapefruit League appearances have been scoreless, but his 11:6 K:BB through 8.2 innings highlights both his upside and his inconsistency. Ward's future might still lie in the rotation, but if he sticks in Washington, expect him to be used primarily as a low-leverage long reliever to begin his big-league career.

Harris could break camp in the big-league bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander has yet to make his MLB debut, but Harris has ridden his plus splitter to a 0.00 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across eight innings this spring. The Nationals' bullpen picture is extremely murky behind Kyle Finnegan, so if Harris does win a spot, he could work his way into high-leverage spots fairly quickly. Even if he begins the season with Triple-A Rochester, he could be one of the first arms called up when the Nats' bullpen needs reinforcements.