MLB Player News

Anderson signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Saturday and received an invitation to big-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Anderson logged a 5.42 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 86.1 innings between the Rays and Rockies last season. The 36-year-old right-hander hasn't turned in a season with an ERA below 5.00 since 2019 (4.21), making him an unreliable fantasy option even if he were to make the Pirates' roster out of spring training.

Meyer is fully recovered from his elbow injury, but the Marlins won't push him too hard to begin spring training, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

"It's probably more mental than the physical," manager Skip Schumaker said Thursday about a group of pitchers that also includes Trevor Rogers and Anthony Bender. "They are healthy physically and trying to get over that mental hurdle of what if they throw too hard or throw too much [or] it's just gonna happen again. It's more of a mental hurdle than anything." Meyer, the third overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022 and didn't pitch at all last season after the Marlins elected not to send him to the Arizona Fall League. The 24-year-old right-hander displayed an ace-level arsenal prior to the surgery, and a strong showing in camp could land Meyer in the Opening Day rotation as the team looks to fill the hole left by Sandy Alcantara (elbow).

Rogers is healthy to begin spring training, but the Marlins intend to bring him along slowly during the early part of camp, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

"It's probably more mental than the physical," manager Skip Schumaker said Thursday about a group of pitchers that also includes Max Meyer and Anthony Bender. "They are healthy physically and trying to get over that mental hurdle of what if they throw too hard or throw too much [or] it's just gonna happen again. It's more of a mental hurdle than anything." Rogers made only four big-league starts last year, getting shut down in April with a bicep strain and then having his recovery derailed in June by a lat tear. With Sandy Alcantara (elbow) set to miss all of 2024, Miami's counting on Rogers to stay healthy and take a regular turn in the rotation, so getting the southpaw to Opening Day in one piece will be the priority.

Bello threw his slider during a live batting practice session Thursday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Adding a slider was a point of emphasis for Bello during the winter. "I felt more comfortable with that pitch," Bello said. "I feel like I can throw it in any count. [Thursday] in live BP, I used it and felt really good about it. So it was a good offseason for that pitch." The slider could be a good third pitch to go with a filthy sinker and changeup. The right-hander said he also plans to use a four-seamer outside the zone to elicit chase. Additionally, the 24-year-old worked on his lower half and back during the offseason, hoping not to wear down over the course of the season. Bello hit a wall late in 2023, losing his final three starts, including the final two outings in which he allowed 13 runs over nine innings. That brought his overall record to 12-11 and swelled his ERA from 3.68 to 4.24.

Soroka (forearm) is penciled into a rotation spot, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soroka ended the 2023 season on the injured list but threw about 40 pitches in a bullpen session Friday without issue. Problems staying on the mound are nothing new for Soroka, as he has managed only 46 big-league innings across the last four seasons. If he manages to stay healthy for the rest of spring training, he'll get a chance to take a consistent turn in a big-league rotation for the first time since 2019.

Bradley is a favorite to win a rotation spot in camp, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bradley got his first taste of the majors in 2023 and suffered through some inconsistency. However, he's more comfortable heading into 2024 and has also made tweaks to his cutter to make it a more effective pitch. The right-hander is projected to slot in at the back of the Rays' rotation behind Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell.

Baz (elbow) expects to begin the season in extended spring training before starting a rehab assignment, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz threw around 20 pitches in his first bullpen session of spring training Friday and felt good afterward. The right-hander suggested afterward that he may not be able to contribute to the big-league club until the summer. The Rays have announced no formal plan, but it appears to be a near certainty Baz won't begin the regular season on the 26-man roster.

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).