MLB Player News

Munoz (foot) is expected to need one or two more live batting practice sessions before appearing in a Cactus League game, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said that the team is "slow-playing" Munoz following offseason foot surgery, but the flame-throwing reliever is "looking good" and "feels great." Munoz will be in the mix for saves again this season alongside Paul Sewald. He has the potential to be a lockdown closer if given the job, but his manager has a track record of not settling on one guy.

McGough allowed one walk and struck out three over a scoreless fifth inning in Wednesday's spring game against Texas.

Wednesday's base on balls is the lone blemish for McGough, who has yet to allow a run or hit over four Cactus League innings. "He has the ability to mix his pitches and throw them all for strikes. And the ability to understand when he needs a swing and miss moment and when he needs to bury a pitch," manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched the last four seasons in Japan, serving as the closer for the Yakult Swallows. The Diamondbacks signed him to compete for a role in late-game situations, and McGough has shown himself capable.

Chafin is experiencing groin tightness and is getting a few days off.

Chafin has appeared in three Cactus League games, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings. He's part of the relief crew that could pick up saves in what manager Torey Lovullo describes as a "fluid" closer role.

Pint (oblique) is getting closer to throwing off a mound but has no official timetable to return, MLB.com reports.

Pint suffered an oblique strain early in camp and has yet to throw since. He was added to the 40-man roster over the winter and entered the season with an outside chance to earn a role in the team's bullpen. This injury all but ends those hopes, though it sounds as if Pint should return to the mound shortly.

Hand is planning to introduce a cutter to his arsenal this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.

Hand signed with the Rockies on Saturday and should immediately fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen. He's relied on a combination of his fastball and slider for the last several seasons, though he's now prepared to add a third pitch to that mix. Hand reportedly worked on the cutter in bullpen sessions during the 2022 campaign, but he did not throw any in game action.

Alcala threw a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in Wednesday's spring training win over Toronto. He reached 96.3 mph with his fastball.

After a rocky spring debut (two earned runs on two hits with a walk and no strikeouts over one inning), Alcala has improved. He has a 4.50 ERA with a 7:2 K:BB in four innings this spring. Alcala underwent season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery on his elbow in August, so a slow start to the spring isn't surprising. He's expected to be a key setup man and could figure in the mix for saves with the Twins possibly using a committee approach.

Stephenson (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Stephenson is slated to throw one more bullpen session before being re-evaluated. Conceivably, he could be ready for a Grapefruit League appearance at that point, which would hopefully give him enough time to get ready for Opening Day. If healthy, Stephenson projects as a primary setup man for Pittsburgh.

White (shoulder) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

White got through a 43-pitch bullpen session over the weekend and is now ready to take the next step in his spring throwing program. If the live BP workout also goes smoothly, he figures to be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut early next week. It's looking like that offseason shoulder impingement might prove to just be a blip for the 28-year-old right-hander, who is in the running for the final spot in the Blue Jays' season-opening starting rotation. He could be an option in long relief as well.

Almonte (elbow) will face hitters Wednesday for the first time this spring, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Almonte missed much of the second half last season with a right elbow injury, so the Dodgers have eased him into things this spring. It's not clear at this point when he might be in game-ready shape, but the club expects him to be available for the start of the season. Almonte was quite a find for the Dodgers in 2022, sporting a 1.02 ERA over 33 relief appearances.

Hudson (knee/ankle) will face live hitters Wednesday for the first time this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hudson has been eased along this spring after requiring surgery last June to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. He's not expected to be ready for Opening Day but could join the Dodgers' bullpen by the middle of April if all continues to go smoothly with his rehab program.