MLB Player News

Bautista (shoulder/knee) is aiming to make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday versus the Blue Jays, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista is expected to get in at least one live batting practice session before he is ready for game action. He's been throwing bullpens for the last two weeks after battling shoulder and knee soreness early in the spring. Despite debuting late in the spring, the closer is still on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Canterino (elbow) was optioned to to Double-A Wichita on Saturday.

Canterino is expected to miss most of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. The 25-year-old had a 1.83 ERA across 34.1 innings for Double-A Wichita prior to the injury.

Cordero has a chance to make the Opening Day roster with both Lou Trivino (elbow) and Tommy Kahnle (biceps) expected to begin the campaign on the injured list, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Cordero last pitched in the majors in 2020, when he posted an ugly 6.08 ERA and 1.58 ERA over 26.2 innings with the White Sox. However, the right-hander turned things around in the Yankees system with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, recording a 1.67 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 49:12 K:BB across 37.2 frames. The reliever has tossed four scoreless innings so far this spring, and Goodman reports that Cordero hit 99 mph on the radar gun with his sinker in his last outing. Helping his case is that he's on the 40-man roster and doesn't have much to gain by being in the minors as a 30-year-old journeyman. If he does make the Opening Day roster, Cordero would likely begin the season pitching in lower-leverage situations.

Loup was named as an injury replacement Friday for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Loup will be a bullpen option for the United States in the mid-to-late innings. The left-hander appeared in 65 games for the Angels in 2022 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB over 58.2 innings.

Johnson (elbow) was optioned Friday to minor-league camp by the Orioles, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Johnson was added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The right-hander was acquired in a three-way trade between the Orioles, Rays and Astros from Tampa Bay in August and underwent Tommy John surgery a few days later. He likely won't be ready to help the Orioles until the 2024 season.

Munoz (ankle) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports reports.

Munoz will throw one more live batting practice session before making an appearance in a Cactus League contest. The right-hander underwent foot surgery in the offseason, and the team is being conservative to make sure there's no setback. Munoz was dominant in 2022, and while he may not see the bulk of the save opportunities this season, he's the rare reliever who can be relevant in fantasy without them because of his ability to miss bats.

Martinez was optioned Friday to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics.

Martinez was competing for a spot in the Oakland starting rotation, but the right-hander will instead open the season with the Aviators in the Pacific Coast League. In 2022, the right-hander struggled to a 6.24 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 57.2 innings pitched. He'll likely be an up-and-down option for the A's again in 2023.

Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad indicated Friday that Rodriguez is still having some issues with his surgically repaired shoulder, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

"We sort of listen to Chris and how he's telling us he's feeling every day," said Frostad. "He has great days and there's some days where it's not as great." Rodriguez is continuing to throw on the side in camp, but there's no timetable for when he might begin appearing in games. The 24-year-old right-hander hasn't thrown a pitch at any level since August 2021.

Marte (general soreness) is scheduled for another bullpen session Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

If that workout goes well, the next step could be his Cactus League debut. Marte, 26, has been brought along slowly this spring due to general soreness. He has also surrendered 14 runs -- 13 earned -- in 15 career major-league innings and will probably be ticketed for Triple-A Salt Lake out of camp.

Bachman (general soreness) made it through another successful bullpen session Friday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Bachman has been held out of Cactus League action over the last two weeks due to general soreness, but it sounds like he should now get the go-ahead to return to live competition. The 23-year-old right-hander is likely to begin the 2023 season back at Double-A Rocket City.