MLB Player News

Quantrill signed a one-year, $2.51 million deal with the Guardians on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Quantrill recorded a 2.89 ERA last season, but it took some good luck in the form of a .267 BABIP and an 80.0 percent strand rate to get him there. He struck out just 19.6 percent of opposing batters, and while his 7.6 percent walk rate was better than average, that combination doesn't typically add up to an ERA below 3.00. He's locked into a rotation spot this season after spending part of last year in the bullpen, but a repeat of last year's performance seems unlikely.

Syndergaard will make his first appearance of spring in a minor-league contest Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Syndergaard recently stated that he has been able to throw without restrictions in bullpen sessions, but the Angels prefer to have him begin with a game against minor-leaguers so that they are better able to control his outing. The caution is reasonable considering that the right-hander is coming off a season during which he pitched only two major-league innings after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Syndergaard signed with the Angels on a one-year, $21 million contract last November.

Manning tossed two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Manning should have a rotation spot locked up to begin the season, but the recent addition of Michael Pineda likely bumps the former to the No. 5 position. That means Manning could get skipped when the team has more off days, and he could always lose the spot if he doesn't pitch well. Tyler Alexander would seem to be the top candidate to supplant Manning at some point in the season. A strong spring could help Manning earn a little job security, though.

Stripling agreed to a one-year, $3.79 million contract with the Blue Jays on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Stripling will set his sights on earning a spot in Toronto's starting rotation after getting his new deal sorted out. He's coming off a 2021 campaign in which 19 of his 24 appearances were starts, though he'll likely open the year in the bullpen unless someone ahead of him gets injured or Toronto opts for a six-man rotation.

Baz underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was in line for a spot in the Rays' starting rotation to begin the season, but he'll now be shut down from throwing for 2-3 weeks following his procedure. Since the right-hander will require time to build up following his shutdown, he'll presumably begin the 2022 campaign on the injured list and will likely head to Triple-A once healthy to essentially simulate his lost spring training. He showed promise in his first taste of major-league action last year, as he posted a 2.03 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 13.1 innings across three starts. However, Ryan Yarbrough, Josh Fleming and Jalen Beeks will now be candidates for a starting role to begin the regular season.

Albers agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Drayer notes that Albers was present Monday at the organization's big-league camp, so he looks as though he'll have a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation or in the bullpen as a long man. The 36-year-old lefty made five appearances (three starts) for Minnesota in 2021, turning in a 7.58 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB across 19 frames.

Roby (elbow) resumed facing hitters during the Rangers' fall instructional camp and is expected to enter the 2022 minor-league season with no restrictions, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

A 2020 draft pick who made his professional debut in 2021, Roby submitted a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35:7 K:BB across 22 innings in his first six starts with Low-A Down East before he was shut down in mid-June with a right elbow strain. He was fortunate to avoid Tommy John surgery, and after treating the injury with extended rest and recovery, Roby looked dominant once again in his limited action in instructional ball, most notably tossing an immaculate inning during one of his appearances. The Rangers may send him back to Down East to begin the 2022 campaign, but if he's able to immediately pick up where he left off last year, a promotion to High-A Hickory could come quickly.

Houck allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring-training game against the Orioles.

Houck allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Ramon Urias, then walked three and could not get out of the third inning as planned. He described it to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com as knocking off the rust. "You can throw as many (live batting practices) and bullpens as you want but getting in the game situation is definitely a little bit different. First one's out of the way. I felt good. Mixed in all the pitches." Houck, who pitched as both a reliever and starter in 2021, received the news that he will open the season in the starting rotation. The right-hander will likely pitch the third game of the season, April 10, in primetime against the Yankees.

Springs (knee) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Springs has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but his ability to face hitters at this stage in camp seemingly hints that he has a shot at being ready for Opening Day after tearing the ACL in his right knee July 31 of last year and undergoing surgery just over two weeks later. Before getting hurt, Springs had been a key piece out of the Tampa Bay bullpen, tossing 44.2 innings over 43 appearances while submitting a 3.43 and 63:14 K:BB and picking up 10 holds, five wins and two saves. If he gets a clean bill of healthy ahead of the start of the season, Springs will likely slot in as a setup man for Tampa Bay.

Severino pitched two innings in the Yankees' Grapefruit League loss to Detroit on Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently proclaimed Severino to be the "most ready" pitcher in camp for the team this spring, but the right-hander appeared rusty in his first Grapefruit League outing of 2022. He allowed a pair of runs in the first inning and served up a long ball to Robbie Grossman for two more runs in the second. Despite the rough start, it was promising to see Severino on the mound after he was limited to just six relief innings after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery last season. He figures to slot into the middle of New York's rotation and would be a valuable fantasy asset if he's able to recover the form that led to a 3.39 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 220:46 K:BB across 191.1 innings in his last healthy campaign, but there is plenty of risk given the fact that he's made only seven regular-season appearances over the past two seasons.