MLB Player News

Pivetta allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Astros.

Pivetta, who was making his Grapefruit League debut after being delayed due to illness, needed 43 pitches to get five outs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe that Pivetta's curveball and fastball were good but location was an issue. Pivetta will be part of the team's rotation, likely slotting in third behind Chris Sale and Corey Kluber.

Jarvis made adjustments to his delivery during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Specifically, Jarvis is getting more extension on his fastball, which averaged 5.2 feet of extension last season, one of the lowest marks in organized baseball (average is 6.3 feet). That means his fastball has farther to travel to home plate than that of the average pitcher, giving hitters more time to react. He possesses a 95 mph heater, but it was hit hard in 2022, and the right-hander believes it was due to his short extension. He reached 5.8 feet last week and has reached 6.1 to 6.3 feet of range in mound sessions this spring. Jarvis is also working on better pitch deception so that hitters have less time to adjust to what he's throwing. The first-round pick in 2020 posted an 8.27 ERA and gave up 27 home runs (2.3 HR/9) over 25 starts (106.2 IP) at Double-A Amarillo in 2022. The results this spring are encouraging, as Jarvis has allowed one run on four hits while striking out three batters over four innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) hasn't yet thrown to live hitters this spring, though Angels manager Phil Nevin hasn't ruled him out for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez last saw big-league action in 2021. He underwent shoulder surgery in November of that year and missed all of last season after suffering a setback while working through a throwing program. Nevin indicated that Rodriguez could see Cactus League action in "the middle of spring," and the right-hander tossed a bullpen session Friday, so he's behind the Angels' other pitchers but still in the mix for the Opening Day roster. If he does make the team, it's uncertain if it would be as a reliever or as a starter.

Vest allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while not recording an out in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

It was a disastrous outing for Vest, who looked better in his spring debut Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. The righty should still have a key role after appearing in 59 games for the Tigers last season, though he could slide down some in the bullpen pecking order if he continues to struggle throughout the spring. Vest is likely behind Alex Lange and Jose Cisnero as a closing option at this point, so his fantasy value is limited.

Chafin allowed two runs on three walks and two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.

Chafin's off to a rocky start in the Cactus League. The left-hander has allowed four runs on four hits and walked five batters over 2.2 innings. He's part of the fluid mix of relievers that could get save opportunities. Others in that group are Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply and Mark Melancon.

The Cubs are building up Thompson slowly this spring as he adjusts to a new role as a reliever, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson made his Cactus League debut Saturday and logged a scoreless inning with a strikeout. The team wanted to see how the righty responded to throwing bullpen sessions more frequently to begin spring training as they transition him into a relief role. Thompson made 17 starts and 12 relief appearances last season, recording a strong 3.76 ERA across 115 total innings. He figures to be a multi-inning bullpen option in 2023, though he's capable of making spot starts when needed.

The Cubs are easing Hughes into Cactus League action after the lefty set a career high in innings pitched last season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes has yet to appear in a spring contest, which is by design after he logged 57.2 innings in relief last season. That's not a particularly high number, but the converted outfielder tossed only 17 innings in the minors the year before, which was his first time on the mound as a professional. The lefty should once again be a key bullpen weapon for the Cubs, possibly closing out games, though Rowan Wick along with newcomers Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger could factor into the mix as well.

Silseth has added a new cutter to his arsenal this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth already had a variety of pitches to go to -- per Statcast, he threw five different pitches during his time in the majors last year. The cutter is new wrinkle, and he believes that it could help him against left-handed hitters, per Bollinger. Silseth dominated at the Double-A level last season, but he struggled during a call-up to the majors, posting a 6.59 ERA (5.97 FIP) over 28.2 innings. He's competing for the Angels' sixth-starter job this spring, though he'll most likely open the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Zuniga was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Zuniga signed an MLB contract in December, but has options remaining, so the right-hander will open the season in the International League rather than with the Cards. He could be a bullpen option for St. Louis at some point in 2023.

Pacheco (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Pacheco has been slowed by arm trouble in the Grapefruit League, but was always unlikely to make the Cardinals' roster to open the season anyway. He'll provide depth for the St. Louis pitching staff in Triple-A.