MLB Player News

Thompson will work exclusively as a reliever this spring, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Thompson's MLB debut was a four-inning relief appearance last June, and he followed that up with a five-inning start, but he filled a much more conventional relief role the rest of the way. He finished with an impressive 2.08 ERA, but that came with a sub-par 19.9 percent strikeout rate and 10.3 percent walk rate. Now 25 years old, the lefty could still spend time starting for Triple-A Memphis, but it looks as though he'll be relieving in St. Louis if all goes well.

Bautista (knee/shoulder) is expected to be game-ready by mid-March, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista's breakout 2022 campaign saw him deal with both knee soreness and arm fatigue in September. Neither issue sounded major at the time, but the fact that he came into camp with both problems still lingering was discouraging. While the injuries add risk to his profile this spring, it's possible they don't wind up costing him any game time, as he can still be ramped up by Opening Day if he gets the chance to appear in four or five Grapefruit League contests. He's already thrown a bullpen session without discomfort, albeit at 70 percent, per Dan Connolly of The Athletic.

Rodriguez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez joins a bullpen that was an area of weakness in 2022, particularly in the area of walks. As such, Boston revamped its crew of relievers, and Rodriguez is a virtual lock to make the team. He's had issues with walks in the past, but Rodriguez has excelled in limiting home runs and had a better FIP (3.23) and SIERA (3.54) than the 4.47 ERA he posted in 55 games with the Mets in 2022.

Martin (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Rangers on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's a procedural move for the Rangers, as Martin is going to miss at least the first half of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery on his left shoulder late in January. It clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Robbie Grossman after the veteran outfielder's one-year deal became official.

Roberts (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Cubs on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which needed an opening after the Cubs signed Edwin Rios on Friday to a one-year deal. Roberts is going to miss the overwhelming majority of 2023 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, and there's a decent chance he won't be able to pitch this season.

Bachman (back/biceps) has his fastball velocity up in the mid-to-high 90s this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Bachman was touted as a triple-digits flamethrower when the Angels made him a top-10 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, but he was forced to alter his mechanics last year in the minors due to back and biceps injuries, and his radar-gun readings dipped as low as 91 mph. He's healthier now and beginning to regain the form he showed at Miami of Ohio University. The 23-year-old right-hander could reach the MLB level at some point in 2023 if he continues to make encouraging strides.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz was forced to miss all of 2022 as he recovered from a flexor tendon surgery he received in 2021. Padres manager Bob Melvin said Pomeranz is "still a little behind everybody else," but is hoping the 34-year-old lefty is up to speed by the end of spring training. Between 2020-21, Pomeranz put up a 1.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP alongside a 59:20 K:BB through 44.1 innings.

The Tigers claimed Holton off waivers from Arizona on Friday

After being DFA'd by Arizona to free a spot for Andrew Chafin, Holton will now compete for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen. The 26-year-old lefty made 10 appearances for the D-backs last season, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through nine frames. Casey Mize (elbow/back) was placed on the 60-day IL to make room for Holton on the 40-man roster.

Hicks is expected to earn high-leverage spots as a reliever to begin 2023, Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hicks was used as both a starter and a reliever last season, but he was more effective out of the bullpen. The hard-throwing righty has added some weight to get back to where his body is most comfortable, and that should in turn help his durability after he missed time with shoulder, forearm and neck issues in 2022. Manager Oliver Marmol tends to avoid strict roles in the bullpen, so Hicks should join Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos as the Cardinals' top late-inning options.

Pivetta had to cut a workout short Friday due to illness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The right-hander walked off the field with a trainer, but it's believed his stamina just isn't where it needs to be yet due to the unspecified illness. It sounds like Pivetta should be back in action in a day or two.