MLB Player News

The Royals placed Zerpa (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Zerpa hasn't thrown all spring due to the left shoulder issue, which the Royals are labeling as tendinopathy. He'll be out at least the first two months of the 2023 regular season and is likely to settle into the rotation at Triple-A Omaha once healthy.

The Royals optioned Kowar to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Kowar had surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and three walks through five innings this spring in the Cactus League. The 26-year-old carries a ghastly 10.76 ERA in 46 career frames at the MLB level.

Castillo has allowed seven earned runs over 5.2 innings across four Cactus League appearances this spring.

Castillo started spring training in the mix for a spot in the rotation, but it doesn't look like he's earned such a role through his performance. He allowed two runs on a hit and a walk over one innings in Tuesday's game versus the Mariners. Castillo is just 23 years old, so it's completely reasonable to assume he could use a little more time at the Triple-A level before making the jump full-time to the majors.

Lovelady has yet to allow an earned run over six innings across six Cactus League appearances.

Lovelady has allowed four hits and struck out eight without issuing a walk. The 27-year-old returned from Tommy John surgery late in the 2022 campaign, logging four scoreless outings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. He has 46 appearances in the majors during his career, and he should slot into a low-leverage role in the bullpen this season thanks to his strong play in spring.

Stephan has allowed five earned runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings through three Cactus League appearances.

Stephan has had a bit of bad luck -- two of the three hits he's allowed have been home runs. He was excellent at suppressing the long ball in 2022, giving up just three of them over 63.2 innings after allowing 15 homers in 63.1 innings in 2021. The right-hander emerged as a setup man to Emmanuel Clase last season, so there's not much reason to be concerned about Stephan's performance in spring training, but he could move down the pecking order if he struggles to begin the regular season.

Lange is the most likely candidate to open the regular season as the Tigers closer, Cody Stavengagen of The Athletic reports.

While he doesn't expect manager A.J. Hinch to anoint a closer anytime soon, Stavenhagen believes Lange is best suited for the role due to his stuff and demeanor. It tracks with what the common perception has been regarding the Tigers' bullpen situation following the trades of Gregory Soto and Joe Jimenez. Lange's control can evade him at times -- and it has this spring with a 5:6 K:BB over four innings -- but he has swing-and-miss stuff and no platoon split. Hinch might not settle on one guy, but Lange does seem to be the best player for fantasy managers to target.

The Rays selected Kelley's contract Wednesday and added him to their 40-man roster.

Kelley joined Tampa Bay on a minor-league deal in January and had been in line to have his contract selected shortly before spring training, but the Rays later rescinded the transaction. One month later, Kelley will now officially get a spot on the 40-man roster since Wednesday marked the first day that MLB teams can select the contracts of non-roster invitees. Kelley has a minor-league option remaining, so the Rays' decision to select his contract doesn't guarantee that he'll break camp as a member of the big club's Opening Day bullpen.

Kittredge was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Rays on Tuesday as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Trevor Kelley. Kittredge will miss at least the first half of the season following last June's Tommy John surgery.

Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Though Yarbrough hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since Feb. 27 while managing what the team has labeled as a minor groin strain, he'll be able to build up his pitch count Wednesday on the back fields at Royals camp. Assuming his groin checks out fine Wednesday, Yarbrough should have one or two more chances to pitch this spring as he looks to stake his claim to a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation. It's unclear if Kansas City has plans to deploy Yarbrough as as a traditional starter or as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, with the latter role being one he became accustomed to over his past five seasons with Tampa Bay.

The Rangers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Rodriguez, who made one appearance out of the Texas bullpen in 2022 in what was his MLB debut, fell short in his bid for a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster after he was tagged for five runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk across three innings in Cactus League play.