MLB Player News

Guardians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Hentges is dealing with left shoulder inflammation and will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Hentges was a strong performer for the Cleveland bullpen in 2023, finishing with a 2.32 ERA and 72:19 K:BB over 62 innings in 57 appearances. The Guardians should have a clearer idea regarding his availability for the start of the season within the next couple of issues, but it's not the most encouraging sign that he's being listed as week-to-week rather than day-to-day.

Bautista (shoulder/knee) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 27-year-old continues upping his intensity on the mound and is scheduled for another bullpen session Saturday. It's unclear when Bautista will be cleared for game action, but he appears to be close to throwing against live hitters.

Soto remained absent from Phillies camp Tuesday due to ongoing visa issues, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's a pretty safe bet at this point that Soto is not going to be allowed to suit up for Team Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Even if he arrived at the Phillies' complex Wednesday, he'd have less than a week there before having to depart. The 28-year-old reliever was acquired via trade from the Tigers in January.

Nance is being evaluated for slight right shoulder discomfort, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

More should be known about Nance's status in a couple of days. He is currently projected for a middle-relief role this season in Miami after posting a 4.33 ERA and 57:21 K:BB over 43.2 innings in 2022.

Brazoban has solved his visa issues and is expected to arrive at Marlins camp Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

There should still be plenty of time left on the spring training calendar for Brazoban to carve out a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He appears to be slated for a long-relief role this year with Miami after registering a 3.09 ERA and 40:21 K:BB across his first 32 major-league innings in 2022.

Scott has been experiencing minor biceps discomfort, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Scott is scheduled to test the issue with a round of catch Tuesday in Marlins camp. For now, it doesn't seem to be anything overly concerning. The 28-year-old left-hander is in line to handle at least some share of the save opportunities in Miami this season, assuming his health cooperates.

Puk has been battling slight left adductor tightness in Marlins camp, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

However, Puk is scheduled to play catch Tuesday and will aim to quickly put this upper-leg issue in the rearview. The left-hander was acquired from the Athletics earlier this month and is expected to work in a high-leverage role out of Miami's bullpen in 2023. He could even see semi-regular save opportunities along with Dylan Floro, Tanner Scott and Matt Barnes.

Balazovic (jaw) said Tuesday that he plans to throw a bullpen session before the end of this week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Balazovic suffered a broken jaw when he was involved in an altercation at a bar earlier this month. He doesn't think the injury will affect his availability for the start of the minor-league season. Balazovic struggled mightily during his first taste of the Triple-A level in 2022 but is still viewed as one of the Twins' better pitching prospects.

Santillan (back) is throwing a side session Tuesday in Reds camp, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan is likely to spend a bit of time on the IL to begin the 2023 regular season as he continues to work through a back strain that popped up last summer, but the hope is that he could be a high-leverage bullpen option in Cincinnati around early-to-mid April.

Chapman (mouth) is slated to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Chapman had been slated for a bullpen session Tuesday after suffering a split lip and a cracked tooth in a fall at home, but it appears he'll be thrown into game action instead. The veteran reliever inked a one-year deal with the Royals last month and is expected to be in the mix for saves along with Scott Barlow.