MLB Player News

Johnson said Monday that the right knee injury which forced him from an appearance Sunday isn't a concern, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Johnson's knee was a little sore, but it sounds like he was lifted Sunday in large part because he needed 32 pitches to record just two outs. The Rockies are counting on the right-hander to be one of their high-leverage relievers this season, so they'll hope he can get sharper before Opening Day.

Howard will not pitch Monday as hoped due to arm fatigue, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers do not believe this to be a serious setback for the right-hander. Howard projects to open the 2023 season in the rotation at Triple-A Round Rock, although it's possible he could be look at as a bullpen arm. He'll need to get healthy first, though.

Baumann has allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over five innings across two Grapefruit League appearances.

Baumann is once again competing for a rotation spot this spring, and he's off to a decent start. The 27-year-old righty has started four of his 17 big-league appearances. All of those starts came last season, though his overall results -- a 4.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 23:9 K:BB and 1-3 record over 34.1 innings -- weren't that impressive. With Grayson Rodriguez pushing to open the year in the majors and other pitchers like Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish in the mix as well, Baumann will really need to stand out to land a starting role rather than a bullpen spot or a trip to Triple-A Norfolk.

Leone (elbow) has made three Cactus League appearances to date, striking out one over three innings while allowing one earned run on one hit and three walks.

Before inking a minor-league deal with Texas in February, Leone spent the 2022 season in the Giants organization. He logged a 4.01 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 49.1 innings for San Francisco before he was released in September while he was sidelined with right elbow inflammation. Though he's now healthy, Leone's lack of a 40-man roster spot could work against him in his bid to secure a spot in Texas' Opening Day bullpen.

Sborz (elbow) has made two Cactus League appearances to date, striking out four over two scoreless innings while working around one hit and one walk.

Sborz missed the final five weeks of the 2022 campaign with a right elbow sprain, finishing the campaign with a 6.45 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 22.1 innings for Texas. The injury doesn't look to be anything that has limited him thus far in camp, so Sborz looks as though he'll have a chance to secure a middle-innings role out of the Rangers bullpen heading into Opening Day.

Bard (thumb) gave up a solo home run and struck out a batter during an inning of relief Saturday in the Rockies' 7-1 Cactus League win over the Mariners.

Jake Scheiner's long ball prevented the Rockies from claiming a shutout, but the team was likely just happy to have their presumptive closer back in action after he suffered a small cut on his right thumb during his prior appearance three days earlier. Assuming Bard experienced no setbacks with the thumb coming out of the relief outing, he'll likely join the American team later this week in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

Borucki (forearm) is scheduled to make his third Cactus League appearance in Monday's game against the Mariners, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Between his first two relief outings of the spring, Borucki gave up one earned run on two hits while striking out three in two innings. The southpaw finished the 2022 season on the Mariners' 60-day injured list due to a forearm strain, and after being removed from Seattle's 40-man roster in November and electing free agency, Borucki struck a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January. He's attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is hoping to win a spot in Chicago's Opening Day bullpen.

Gilbert (elbow) tossed two innings and gave up two runs on five hits while striking out one in his Cactus League debut Feb. 28 in the Diamondbacks' 4-1 loss to the White Sox.

Gilbert closed the 2022 season on the 60-day injured list due to a left elbow sprain, but his return to game action early in the Diamondbacks' Cactus League slate offers encouragement that he's now moved past the health concern. Arizona removed Gilbert from its 40-man roster in December, so he could have a tough time getting another look in the majors unless he dazzles at Triple-A Reno. He struggled mightily over his 44 innings in the Pacific Coast League in 2022, logging a 7.57 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.

Okert (triceps) has made three Grapefruit League appearances to date, covering three scoreless innings while striking out two and allowing two hits and one walk.

Okert looks to be back to full strength for spring training after he finished the 2022 season on the 15-day injured list with left triceps tightness. The 31-year-old reliever turned in a 2.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 63:26 K:BB in 51.1 innings a season ago and should factor into the Marlins' setup mix once again in 2023.

Castano (shoulder) has made two Grapefruit League appearances to date, covering four innings while striking out three and allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks.

Castano didn't make any appearances after July 28 of last season after taking a line drive off the head and suffering a concussion, but he looked on tap to rejoin the Marlins in September before he developed a left shoulder strain while ramping back up once he was cleared for the head injury. The southpaw has since moved past the shoulder issue and looks healthy for spring training, but he was pushed off the Marlins' 40-man roster in January and will face an uphill battle to win an Opening Day role with the big club.