MLB Player News

Soriano will be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Soriano showed last season that he can be a high-leverage reliever, and he still may very well settle back into that role. However, he does have past experience as a starter in the minors and the Angels will give him a shot to see if he can handle it. The 25-year-old is expected to throw three innings in his next Cactus League appearance.

Dubin (shoulder) has not yet been cleared to resume a throwing program, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros initially said Dubin would be shut down for three days due to right shoulder inflammation, but he's past that mark and isn't ready to throw just yet. He probably still has time to get ready for Opening Day but will need to progress in a hurry.

Thielbar is dealing with a left hamstring strain and is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.comreports.

The left-hander's start to spring training has been slowed by the injury, but it's encouraging he's now throwing off a mound. Thielbar is scheduled for a live bullpen session next week and should then work through his standard spring buildup.

Alcala may begin the season in the minors since he has minor league options available after the Twins added several veterans to the bullpen, MLB.com reports. Alcala has thrown two scoreless innings with a strikeout and walk this spring while reaching a 96-97-mph range with his fastball.

Alcala is fully healthy after struggling with injuries the past two seasons. He threw just 17.1 innings last season with an ugly 6.23 ERA and missed more than four months with a stress fracture in his right forearm. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2022 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery. He features a plus fastball but control as been a recent problem (5.2 BB/9 last season). He'll likely need to prove himself at Triple-A before becoming a part of the bullpen mix in the majors this summer.

Barlow will be sidelined indefinitely after being diagnosed with right shoulder soreness Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Fellow reliever Jimmy Lambert is also battling shoulder soreness and is expected to miss 10-to-14 days, while Barlow's absence is expected to be longer. The former Ranger is in camp as a non-roster invitee and could have pitched his way into a prominent role given the uncertainty in the White Sox's bullpen, but now his status is cloudy.

Lambert will be sidelined for 10-to-14 days after being diagnosed with right shoulder soreness Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Lambert made one scoreless Cactus League appearance on Feb. 25 but hasn't pitched since. Now he'll be shelved for a while and seems likely to begin the season on the injured list. Lambert has collected a 4.33 ERA and 98:50 K:BB over 99.2 innings over parts of four seasons with the White Sox.

Manager Ron Washington said Thursday that Wantz will be used as a starter by the Angels this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Wantz started a Cactus League game this past weekend and went two innings and will remain stretched out for the time being. The 28-year-old hasn't been deployed extensively as a starting pitcher since 2019 in the minors, but the Halos are in need of rotation depth. Ultimately, if Wantz makes the Opening Day roster it would still likely be as a reliever.

Stephenson (shoulder) admitted Thursday that he's not sure he'll be ready in time for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson was able to play catch Wednesday as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness. While the reliever is confident he'll be pitching in Cactus League games before the schedule runs out, he's less certain about getting in enough work to be ready by March 28. The good news is that this does not currently appear to be a long-term injury, rather Stephenson could just need more time to be fully ramped up. The setup man was signed to a three-year, $33 million contract in January.

Pivetta is expected to start Saturday's split-squad game against Tampa Bay, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Pivetta prepared for the outing by tossing two innings in the bullpen Wednesday. He had been tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday, but Kutter Crawford started instead. Saturday will be Pivetta's spring debut.

Winckowski walked one and struck out one over two hitless and scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Washington.

Winckowski, making his Grapefruit League debut, walked the first batter he faced then retired six in a row, submitting his first piece of evidence that he should be Boston's fifth starter. The right-hander is transitioning from the bullpen -- he excelled in relief last season -- so Winckowski needs to show he can sustain through longer outings. His main competition for the final rotation spot is Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock.