Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain. If things go well Saturday, Kerkering would likely then progress to facing hitters before appearing in a game. The right-handed reliever has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day, barring setbacks.

The Dodgers signed Middleton to a minor-league contract Feb. 16.

Middleton made just five rehab appearances in 2024 before having flexor tendon surgery and then appeared in four games in 2025 with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The 32-year-old pitched well in his last healthy season in 2023, posting a 3.38 ERA and 64:23 K:BB over 50.2 regular-season frames between the White Sox and Yankees. Middleton will give the Dodgers some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he's been encouraged by how Stewart (shoulder) has looked in bullpen sessions and believes the pitcher's absence to begin the season could be brief, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Stewart has been brought along slowly this spring following a right shoulder debridement procedure he underwent last September. The reliever has already been ruled out for Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be back sometime in April. Stewart made only four appearances for the Dodgers last season before getting hurt, but he was superb for the Twins prior to being traded, posting a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Graterol (shoulder) is in a "holding pattern," Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Though Roberts has refrained from referring to Graterol's ongoing shoulder issues as a setback, it's difficult to categorize them as anything else. The reliever missed the entire 2025 season following a November 2024 procedure, and he hasn't been able to regain his pre-surgery velocity. Graterol has already been ruled out for Opening Day and he could be looking at a lengthy absence.

Bivens allowed two hits in one scoreless inning during Thursday's 11-3 Cactus League loss to the Rockies.

Bivens escaped the third inning without allowing a run after surrendering a pair of singles. He tossed 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes and primarily relied on his sinker, which he threw five times. The 31-year-old is likely to make the Opening Day roster in a relief role after spending all of last season in the majors with San Francisco. Over 54 relief appearances in 2025, the right-hander posted a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 61:25 K:BB across 81 innings.

Kolek has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

As Rogers reported Thursday, Kolek will be shut down for at least the next week before the next steps in his recovery are mapped out. The right-hander is competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation this spring.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Brieske is day-to-day with thoracic spine inflammation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske was injured during fielding drill this week and was unable to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest against Baltimore. The right-hander appeared in 22 regular-season games for the Tigers in 2025, registering a 6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB across 22 innings. He's competing for a role in the bullpen.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Wilson is dealing with back issues and will not be ready for Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilson missed significant time during the 2024 season with the White Sox due to back problems, though it's not clear whether this is a recurrence of those issues. The veteran reliever was acquire via trade this offseason and has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League contest. Expect Wilson to begin the year on the IL, with no clear target date yet for his season debut.

Crochet allowed one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rays.

Crochet made his Grapefruit League debut, throwing 23 pitches (14 strikes) in his first step on the way to an Opening Day start. Other than a lack of strikeouts, it was an unremarkable outing for the left-hander, who led the majors in 2025 with 255 punchouts. He used most of his repertoire, including a splitter he'd like to use more of in 2026.

Pivetta completed two innings in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.

Pivetta gave up a triple in the first inning but held Cincinnati scoreless. However, he was touched up for three runs in the second frame as a result of issuing two walks and giving up two hits. Pivetta threw just 22 of 38 pitches for strikes, but a rough outing near the start of spring for a veteran pitcher shouldn't cause fantasy managers to be concerned. The right-hander is coming off arguably his best MLB campaign and is locked in near the top of San Diego's rotation for 2026.