MLB Player News

Lopez is set to serve as a high-leverage arm for the White Sox this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports. "He's a special talent, and he's also a special kid," said manager Pedro Grifol. "He likes the moment. He likes the stage."

Grifol swooned about how special he thinks Lopez is, having strategized against him for the past several years as the Royals' bench coach from 2020-22. The skipper indicated that bullpen usage will be determined by game situations, not a particular inning designation, so it sounds like Lopez will enter the season as part of a saves committee along with Kendall Graveman.

Lawrence was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence was signed to a minor-league contract in January with an invite to major-league camp. The right-hander gave up four runs in eight innings over four Grapefruit League appearances, and he'll be a bullpen depth option in 2023. It's unclear if he'll work as a reliever or starter with Triple-A Buffalo after starting 37 of his 48 minor-league appearances over the last two years.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Saturday that Kahnle (biceps) has been unable to resume throwing, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Kahnle is dealing with tendinitis in his right biceps, and because of soreness, the right-hander isn't able to start his throwing program. He's a lock to start the year on the injured list, and unfortunately for the Yankees' bullpen, it looks like he may not be able to join the group until the end of April at the earliest.

Romano struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning during Friday's split-squad game against the Phillies.

It's a bit odd to see a closer actually work the ninth in a meaningless Grapefruit League game, when the opposition's big-league hitters have generally already hit the showers, but Romano still carved up the minor-league batters he got to face. The right-hander has a 9:2 K:BB through 5.2 spring innings and looks more than ready for the regular season to begin. After recording 59 saves over the last two years with a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.20 K/9, Romano heads into 2023 as one of the most reliable closing options available to fantasy managers.

Estevez and the Angels aren't concerned over his poor numbers this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

He has walked 10 batters in 3.2 innings and has a 19.64 ERA, but the veteran righty has been experimenting with new pitches and strategies at the expense of clean innings in exhibition play. Estevez has been working more up in the zone, because the numbers say he is harder to hit up there, and he's been working on a new changeup grip while attempting to throw a harder slider. Pitching coach Matt Wise said Estevez is trending in the right direction and manager Phil Nevin said he expects Estevez to get more consistent as the start of the season nears.

White (shoulder) will throw either a bullpen session or get into a spring game in the middle of next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He threw a live bullpen Thursday and the club is still determining the next step for White. Regardless, it won't be until after Tuesday's off-day that he throws again.

Pressly is not in favor of the pitch clock that will be implemented in 2023, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly cited the fact that each pitcher is taught to work at their own pace to back his opinion, though he also didn't express concern about his ability to adjust to the new rule. He has most recently pitched in the World Baseball Classic, which does not use a pitch clock. Across three innings of Cactus League action, Pressly has allowed one earned run on five hits and a walk while striking out three across three frames.

Heasley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Friday.

Heasley struggled in the majors last season to the tune of a 5.28 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 104 frames, and his troubles have seemingly carried over into the spring (11.57 ERA, 2.29 WHIP through seven innings). He will likely need to show significant signs of improvement with Omaha before the Royals feel comfortable bringing him back onto the major-league roster.

Pilkington was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.

Pilkington will begin the year in the minors after failing to secure a bid on the Opening Day staff. The southpaw will likely be an up-and-down option for Cleveland during the 2023 campaign.

Cano struck out on in a perfect inning in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Twins.

Cano has had an uneven spring, allowing four earned runs on five hits over 2.2 innings across four appearances. The Orioles still have a lot of trimming down to do with the pitching staff, and it's unclear if Cano will fit into the Opening Day plans. He had an 11.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB across 18 innings between the Orioles and the Twins in 2022, which was his first taste of action in the big leagues.