MLB Player News

Yamamoto announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he has decided to retire from professional baseball.

Yamamoto's decision comes just one week after the Dodgers reassigned him to minor-league camp after he was unable to claim a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old right-hander made 21 appearances (19 starts) in the majors from 2019 through 2021, logging a 6.05 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 96.2 career innings between the Marlins and Mets. Yamamoto struggled mightily in 2022 in stops with three of the Mets' minor-league affiliates, and rather than facing the likelihood of another year on the farm in the Dodgers organization, he's elected to close the door on his playing career.

The Giants announced Monday that Szapucki is seeking a second opinion for his left upper arm injury, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The initial diagnosis was that Szapucki is dealing with neuropathy, which left his fingers numb during his lone Cactus League appearance back in late February. He remains shut down from throwing as the Giants attempt to get a clearer handle on the situation.

Rodriguez has allowed one earned run, three hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings across five Grapefruit League appearances.

The Cardinals scooped up Rodriguez in the Rule 5 draft this fall, and his work early in spring training is giving him a shot of sticking in the majors. His only other experience in the majors was in 2014 with the Royals, and he logged just two innings. He spent most of the time between 2015 and 2022 in foreign leagues before signing with the Yankees last August. The 33-year-old right-hander will probably be a low-leverage reliever if he breaks camp with the Cardinals.

Clase gave up a two-run home run in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Royals.

Clase worked the fifth inning in this contest and ended up giving up his first two runs of the spring. The Guardians' closer posted 42 saves with an excellent 1.36 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and just three homers allowed over 72.2 innings last season, so this is likely just a blip on the radar. He'll be one of the most popular relievers in fantasy drafts, with a cutter that can top 100 mph and two straight years of ninth-inning dominance under his belt.

Morejon (elbow) will undergo an MRI this week, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Morejon had to depart Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Athletics due to soreness above his elbow. Arm injuries are, unfortunately, nothing new for the left-hander, and he would appear likely to need another IL stint to begin the season even if he receives relatively good news from the MRI.

Pomeranz (elbow) will throw another simulated game Thursday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Assuming the sim game goes well, Pomeranz should be cleared to make his Cactus League debut next week. The veteran southpaw missed all of 2022 following a setback in his recovery from 2021 flexor tendon surgery, but he's getting back on track. The Padres seem hopeful that he'll be able to join their bullpen at the start of the season rather than go on the injured list.

Manager Buck Showalter said Monday that Ridings (shoulder) might not be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training, Michael Mayer of Metsmerized reports.

Ridings has resumed throwing off a mound as he works his way back from a shoulder injury which cost him most of the 2022 season. However, he's still ramping back up slowly and appears to be a lock to begin the season on the injured list. Ridings was claimed off waivers from the Yankees back in November.

Bautista (shoulder/knee) will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Pirates, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista and the Orioles had been eyeing Thursday for his spring debut, but that timeline was apparently moved up a couple days. It's a good sign that Bautista's shoulder and knee aren't a concern anymore, which matches reports of how his bullpens and live batting practice sessions have looked. "The Mountain" is on track to be ready to roll for the O's on Opening Day as the club's clear closer.

Ridings (shoulder) was spotted throwing off the slope of a mound Monday at the Mets' spring workout, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Ridings, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Yankees in November, is one of the few members of the 40-man roster who has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, as the organization appears to be taking things slowly with the 27-year-old reliever while he works back from the right shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season. Given that he's not yet facing hitters with two and a half weeks to go before Opening Day, Ridings appears likely to begin the season on the injured list.

Tate (elbow) said he will throw 20 pitches off a full mound Tuesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate is set to take the next step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain after he resumed throwing off a half mound last week. The 28-year-old noted that he'll throw only fastballs in Tuesday's workout, but if all goes well, he could begin to incorporate breaking pitches in his throwing sessions in the near future. Tate is set to begin the season on the injured list and could be sidelined through April.