MLB Player News

VerHagen has allowed a walk and struck out two over two Grapefruit League innings.

Katie Woo of The Athletic reports VerHagen mixed his new four-seam fastball in with his usual sinker and slider. A hip injury ended the right-hander's season early in 2022, and his 6.65 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB over 21.2 relief innings weren't great marks when he was healthy. He remains in the mix as a multi-inning relief option who could also serve as a spot starter, though the Cardinals' rotation has enough depth to weather an injury or two before they'd need to turn to someone like VerHagen.

Morgan has allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four over three innings in three Cactus League games.

Morgan's solid control is nothing new -- he posted a 1.8 BB/9 over 66.2 innings last season. Given the right-hander's solid work as a reliever and the Guardians' stable set of starters, Morgan figures to pitch primarily out of the bullpen in 2023. He also had a 3.38 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 72:13 K:BB with 10 holds last year, so he could work his way into being part of the setup mix, though a multi-inning role is most likely.

Jimenez has struggled with his velocity this spring, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jimenez was throwing just 88-89 mph in his first Cactus League appearance before bumping it up to 91-93 mph his second time out. That's still down a bit from what he threw in 2022, which is especially concerning since he ended last season with a shoulder injury. Jimenez entered camp as arguably the favorite to close for the Athletics, but he'll probably need to show better velocity in order for the team to trust him in the role. Trevor May, Zach Jackson and Domingo Acevedo are alternatives for the closer job.

Robinson (ankle) is set to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday in relief, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

McCalvy was delayed a bit due to a sprained ankle, but that's in the rearview now. The 23-year-old right-hander was added to the 40-man roster in Milwaukee over the offseason and should make his MLB debut at some point in 2023. He posted a 2.49 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 65 innings last year between High-A Wisconsin, Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville.

The Nationals reassigned Perez to minor-league camp Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Perez made 10 relief appearances at the big-league level for Washington in 2022 but did little to distinguish himself, logging a 7.27 ERA and 2.54 WHIP across 8.2 innings. He'll likely need to turn in quality results at Triple-A Rochester over an extended period to begin the 2023 campaign before the Nationals consider giving him another look in the majors.

Puk (groin) threw a round of live batting practice Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Assuming there are no setbacks coming out of that workout, Puk will be on the rubber for his Grapefruit League debut Friday. He's been taking it slow over the last week or so due to left adductor tightness, but there are no serious concerns about his readiness for the beginning of the 2023 regular season. The southpaw figures to take on a share of the closer role this year in Miami, health permitting.

Scott (biceps) threw live batting practice Tuesday in Marlins camp, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

If he arrives back in camp Wednesday without any renewed discomfort, Scott should be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut this Friday. He's been eased along so far at spring training because of minor discomfort in his left biceps, but it's looking like the 28-year-old high-leverage reliever is on track for Opening Day.

Hoffman (elbow) worked an inning of relief and gave up two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Pirates in Grapefruit League play.

Hoffman, who inked a minor-league deal with the Twins in late February, made his spring debut Sunday after spending the prior week ramping up at camp. The right-hander appears to be healthy again after forearm and elbow trouble sidelined him for most of the entire second half of the past season while he was with the Reds. Since Hoffman isn't a member of the Twins' 40-man roster, he may face an uphill battle to win a spot in Minnesota's Opening Day bullpen.

Boxberger pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout to record a hold in Monday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Boxberger has made three appearances this spring, and each one has been a scoreless inning with a strikeout. He's also recorded two holds. The veteran's spot in the bullpen is secure and he could emerge as the closer if he continues to impress. Holdovers Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes are also in the mix to close, along with fellow newcomer Michael Fulmer. It might be a committee situation, at least to begin the regular season.

Snead has been shut down due to a left shoulder strain, MLB.com reports.

Snead felt discomfort in his shoulder after his spring debut Feb. 25. It's not clear when he will resume throwing, so his status for Opening Day is in question.