MLB Player News

Vespi (abdomen) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and appears set to advance to facing hitters next week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi mixed in all of his pitches during Friday's bullpen session. "I'm right where I need to be," he said. "Everything feels great. My arm feels great, my body feels great. I'm ready to go." Despite the delayed start this year, Vespi is still in contention for a bullpen spot, as he should have at least a couple of Grapefruit League appearances before the regular season begins. It'll likely come down to his performance in those games that determines if he begins the campaign with the Orioles or at Triple-A Norfolk.

Yarbrough is nursing a "slight" groin strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander will throw a bullpen Sunday and, if it goes well, he should be back in action shortly. Yarbrough is looking to begin his Royals tenure on a good note after posting a pedestrian 4.50 ERA in 80 innings for the Rays last season.

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Saturday.

Houston declined Smith's $13 million club option for 2023 after the lefty posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and five saves over 65 appearances last season. Smith surpassed 30 saves in 2019 and 2021 with San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively, and could close in Texas with Jose Leclerc (neck) banged up. Smith is expected to join the team right away Saturday.

The Twins optioned Balazovic (jaw) to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

It's the first cut out of Twins camp, and it comes after Balazovic suffered a broken jaw during an altercation at a Fort Myers bar Feb. 11. The 24-year-old former top prospect struggled to a 7.39 ERA over 70.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022, and he had yet to appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring.

Krehbiel has given up eight runs over 1.2 innings across his first two Grapefruit League appearances.

Krehbiel's place in the Orioles' bullpen can't be considered safe, as the team has a high number of candidates for the rotation that could begin the year as relievers. The shaky start to the spring is a concern, but Krehbiel did fairly well in a setup role last season with a 3.90 GAA, 1.23 WHIP, five wins, one save and 10 holds across 57.2 innings. With Dillon Tate (elbow) out for the first month of the season, that could give Krehbiel a chance to make the roster anyway if he can improve over the rest of spring training.

Faucher (oblique) is expected to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher has stretched out his flat-ground throwing to 120 feet and is almost ready to take the mound the next time he throws. Assuming the reliever is able to continue progressing with no setbacks, the Rays anticipate him being ready to go for Opening Day.

Cisnero is day-to-day while dealing with a non-COVID illness, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cisnero should be fine in a day or two, but he's been limited to just one appearance this spring due to a neck injury and now an illness. As a veteran, though, he shouldn't need too many outings to get ready for the regular season. Cisnero could factor into the saves mix this season for the Tigers alongside Alex Lange.

White (shoulder) will throw a 40-pitch bullpen session this weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

If that goes well, he'll progress to live batting practice and eventually games. White has been slowed so far in camp due to a right shoulder impingement which has his status for Opening Day up in the air, but he appears to be moving in the right direction.

Pivetta (illness) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus the Astros, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pivetta contracted COVID-19 shortly before the start of camp and has been eased into things so far. He won't be able to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic as hoped, but the veteran right-hander is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Pitching coach Josh Miller said Thursday that Blanco will get stretched out to 40-to-50 pitches this spring, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco reached Triple-A for the first time in 2019 but has struggled to keep a spot on the major-league roster as a reliever. By shifting him toward longer stints on the mound, the Astros hope to give Blanco an additional path to sticking on the roster. He's pitched well early on this spring, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out six.