MLB Player News

Whitlock allowed one hit and walked one while striking out two over three scoreless innings in a spring training start against the Twins on Sunday.

This was Whitlock's first Grapefruit League start and first start of any kind since July 2019 prior to undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery. Although used exclusively out of the bullpen last season, Whitlock's in the mix for the final rotation spot along with Rich Hill, who also pitched three innings Sunday. That starting spot will last as long as it takes Chris Sale (rib) to get over his injury. Sunday's outing marked the second time both pitchers have appeared in the same game this spring. Both hurlers will likely appear in the same game this Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Boston manager Alex Cora has not revealed how he plans to utilize Whitlock, whose versatility in relief was key for the Red Sox. It's safe to say he'll be an high-leverage piece if relegated to the bullpen.

Ray was credited with the victory in a Cactus League win over the Rangers on Monday, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

The left-hander held the Rangers at bay for the first four frames before yielding a pair of runs on a lineout and double by Charlie Culberson and Marcus Semien, respectively. Despite those stumbles, Ray once again missed plenty of bats, pushing his spring strikeout total to 11 over his first two Cactus League turns.

Syndergaard tossed 3.2 innings in a Cactus League win over Oakland on Monday, allowing an unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out four.

Making his first Cactus League appearance in an Angels uniform, Syndergaard breezed through the Athletics' lineup, allowing only an unearned first-inning run. He notched three of his final five outs via punchout before being pulled following a fourth-inning walk. Syndergaard has thrown only two major-league regular-season innings since 2019, but he could be a steal for the Angels -- and for fantasy managers -- this season if he's able to come anywhere close to the form he displayed early in his career with the Mets.

Bradish was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Bradish fared well in spring training, fanning five and walking three over four scoreless innings of work. He's in line to begin the 2022 campaign at Triple-A, where he finished with a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with a 105:39 K:BB across 86.2 innings a season ago.

Cole pitched two innings in a Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh on Sunday, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk. He struck out five.

Cole looked strong in his first frame of the spring, retiring the side in order and picking up two punchouts. However, the Pirates stung him for a pair of runs in the second on a Diego Castillo long ball. Cole returned for the third inning but served up a leadoff homer to Cole Tucker and was pulled after the following two batters reached base. In more positive news, Cole touched 99 mph on his fastball and got five of his six outs via strikeout, which should be the most important takeaway given the context of the exhibition affair.

Rodriguez allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits across five innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He walked one and struck out three.

This was Rodriguez's least effective start this spring, as he had allowed a total of just two earned runs across seven innings in his previous two outings. The lefty is still looking solid in camp with a 3.75 ERA and should slot in as the Tigers' ace this season. Working in a pitcher-friendly home ballpark, Rodriguez could be poised for good results in his first season with Detroit.

The Tigers optioned Garcia to Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

Garcia was one of four relievers cut from big-league camp Monday as the Tigers look to pare down their bullpen ahead of Opening Day. The demotion to the minors doesn't come as a major surprise after Garcia turned in a 7.55 ERA and 1.86 WHIP across 39.1 innings with the big club in 2021.

The Rangers reassigned Arihara to minor-league camp Monday.

Along with Brandon Workman and Nick Tropeano, Arihara was one of three Rangers pitchers with prior MLB experience who was reassigned Monday. After agreeing to a two-year, $6.2 million deal with Texas last offseason, Arihara made 10 starts for the big club and submitted a 6.64 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 40.2 innings before being removed from the 40-man roster in September.

Kaprielian (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Saturday and responded well to the throwing workout, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander is scheduled to throw off a mound again Tuesday while he continues to build up after a bout with AC joint irritation in his shoulder delayed him to begin spring training. Because he has yet to face hitters in camp, Kaprielian is set to open the season on the 10-day injured list, but the fact that he hasn't been shut down from throwing suggests he'll avoid a lengthy absence. He could be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after Oakland opens its regular season April 8 in Philadelphia.

Javier will begin the 2022 season in the bullpen, operating as a long-relief option, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Javier will be a relief option to start the 2022 campaign, potentially making a spot start here and there. The 25-year-old mostly pitched out of the bullpen last season, appearing in 36 games while starting nine times. He'll look to build on his strong numbers from 2021 where he produced a 3.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while going 4-1 with two saves on four attempts and collecting five holds. Javier also excelled in strikeout department, finishing the year with a 11.5 K/9.