MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Fermin to minor-league camp Friday.

The 24-year-old has had a rough spring, yielding five runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. Fermin made 40 appearances for the Halos last season and should still play a role in their bullpen in 2026.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Tiedemann (elbow) has yet to resume a throwing program, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Tiedemann was shut down a couple weeks ago after feeling left elbow soreness following a bullpen session. An MRI cleared the lefty of structural damage, and Schneider noted that Tiedemann could be cleared to resume throwing "hopefully in the next couple of days."

Bieber (forearm) had a heavy flat-ground throwing day Friday, but there remains no timeline for when he will throw from a mound, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that "all reports are good" on Bieber, who is "champing at the bit." It's clear, however, that Toronto will continue to proceed cautiously with the right-hander as he works his way back from last year's forearm fatigue. Bieber has already been ruled out for Opening Day, and given where he's at in his throwing program, a minimum stay on the injured list seems unlikely.

Alcantara struck out four over three perfect innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Houston.

The right-hander fired 31 of 43 pitches for strikes in an impressive performance against an Astros lineup that featured most of the team's likely Opening Day lineup, including Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. Alcantara has a 5:1 K:BB through his first four spring innings as he looks to rebound from a disappointing 5.36 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 174.2 frames in 2025.

Strider topped out at 96.7 mph with his fastball during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

The right-hander didn't get the best results, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over 2.1 innings after taking over for Chris Sale to begin the fourth inning, but Strider struck out four batters and the uptick in velocity was an encouraging sign after he was in the 92-94 mph range in his last spring start. Atlanta needs Strider to return to form after he stumbled to a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB over 125.1 innings last season in his return from April 2024 elbow surgery.

The Tigers optioned Miller (hip) to minor-league camp Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Miller is still recovering from surgery on both hips and did not make any Grapefruit League appearances. He will get a late start to the minor-league season, as well, and should eventually land at Double-A Erie.

The Reds optioned Franco to minor-league camp Friday.

After getting a spot on the 40-man roster earlier this offseason, Franco impressed in Cactus League play with an 8:1 K:BB over 4.2 innings. He should open the 2026 campaign in the rotation at Triple-A Louisville and could debut in the big leagues later on this summer.

Nelson allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three over 2.2 innings in Thursday's start against the Cubs.

Nelson was knocked around in the first inning before settling in to retire the final seven batters he faced in his second Cactus League start. He upped his pitch count to 42 (30 strikes). "Honestly, it felt like the stuff was good," Nelson told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "Pretty happy with how everything's coming out right now. Just got to clean a couple things up." The right-hander is looking to add more secondary offerings to complement the four-seamer that he threw 62 percent of the time in 2025. On Thursday, Nelson threw 20 four-seamers along with 11 cutters and nine curveballs.

Kelly (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday and said he felt fine afterwards, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Kelly unleashed his entire arsenal during the session, throwing close to 30 pitches. "I got a chance to speak with him directly after the bullpen, and he said he feels really good," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. The Diamondbacks have yet to determine the next steps for the right-hander, but the fact that Kelly was able to return to the mound this early in spring training bodes well for his availability for the regular season.

Luzardo allowed two hits and no walks in three shutout innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Boston. He struck out five.

The hard-throwing southpaw appeared to be just about in midseason form during his spring debut, getting the velocity on his fastball as high as 98.5 mph. Luzardo is looking to build off an excellent first campaign with the Phillies a year ago, when he recorded a career-high 216 strikeouts over 183.2 regular-season innings and finished seventh in National League Cy Young voting.