MLB Player News

Bieber will have no restrictions to begin spring training, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bieber dealt with elbow inflammation in the middle of 2023, the second time in three years he's missed a large portion of the season. He had a pedestrian 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 107:34 K:BB over 128 innings across 21 starts last year. The right-hander is still considered the Guardians' staff ace heading into 2024, so it's a good sign that he's beginning the spring healthy.

Marquez (elbow) threw off a mound Friday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Marquez is ramping up his throwing program after he underwent Tommy John surgery last May. The hope is that the veteran right-hander will be ready to rejoin the Rockies' rotation at some point after the All-Star break.

Garrett is being brought along slowly in Marlins camp due to soreness in his left shoulder, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett was still allowed to throw each of the last two days, so there doesn't appear to be any major concern on the team's part. The southpaw collected a 3.66 ERA and 156:29 K:BB across 159.2 innings for Miami last season, making a career-high 30 starts (31 total appearances).

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that the team's tentative plans have Means (elbow) making his season debut in April, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

When exactly in April the left-hander is expected back isn't clear, but at least there's now a timeline on record. Means experienced a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October, and he remains about a month behind the team's other starters to begin camp. With Means and Kyle Bradish (elbow) slated for stints on the injured list to begin the season, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin have the inside tracks on spots in Baltimore's rotation.

Cortes (shoulder) said Friday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cortes missed a large chunk of the 2023 season with a left shoulder strain. He noted Friday that he'd had trouble getting over the hump with his shoulder earlier this offseason while throwing on his own, but once he shifted his rehab to the Yankees' spring training complex in December, things have been trending up. Cortes is tentatively lined up to pitch one of the Yankees' exhibition games in Mexico City on March 24-25.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Verlander's (shoulder) arm is feeling good following Thursday's bullpen session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The pitcher looked to be throwing at less than 100 percent effort in the session, but it's nonetheless a positive development that he experienced no issues a day later. By Verlander's own tally, it was the fourth time he's thrown off a mound since an offseason "hiccup" with his shoulder. It's unclear when the veteran right-hander might be ready for Grapefruit League action.

Means (elbow) conceded Friday that it's unlikely he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Thursday that Means is one month behind schedule as he rebounds from a left elbow flare-up last October. While it seems as though he's recovered from the elbow issue, Means still needs time to build back up. He'll join Kyle Bradish (elbow) on the IL, creating a pair of early-season vacancies in the O's rotation.

Miller, who's projected to open the season in the bullpen, was already "lighting up the radar gun" in his first official bullpen session of spring Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller averaged 98.3 mph on his fastball as a rookie last season, but he was limited to just 10 appearances (six starts) due to a UCL sprain on his throwing elbow and posted a solid 3.78 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 33.1 total innings. Miller was managed carefully upon returning from a four-month absence in September while working as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 12.0 K/9 and 0.8 HR/9 across the 12 frames he logged over the final month of the campaign. With a four-pitch arsenal that also includes a slider, cutter and changeup in addition to his elite fastball, Miller could well earn some closing opportunities and will be limited to two innings per outing at most during spring training, per manager Mark Kotsay.

Duffy is stretching out as a starter this spring but could also make the Rangers' Opening Day roster as a starter or reliever, Jeff Wilson of Rangerstoday.com reports.

Duffy is currently in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he is set to compete with Cody Bradford, Adrian Sampson and some of the team's prospects to earn a roster spot. He has battled arm injuries during the last two seasons and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, but he is currently healthy and could take advantage of the Rangers' lack of pitching depth. Duffy was with the Rangers' organization in 2023, pitching as a reliever for Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, but he stretched out as a starter in the Puerto Rican Winter League. There, the left-hander didn't allow an earned run over 15.2 innings while striking out 19 and limiting opponents to a .161 batting average.

The Marlins will limit the amount of innings Perez pitches in 2024, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The Marlins have yet to decide on a number, but the team figures to bump Perez up from the 128 innings he pitched last season (91.1 in MLB). The 20-year-old right-hander ended 2023 on the injured list due to inflammation in his shoulder but posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP alongside a 108:31 K:BB while healthy. He is expected to be a part of Miami's Opening Day rotation.