MLB Player News

Manaea recorded seven strikeouts and allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over 5.2 innings during a Cactus League loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The left-hander was in midseason form as his numbers indicate, making it two straight strong performances for Manaea after a rocky spring debut against the Reds back on March 19. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Manaea retired nine straight hitters at one point against a Dodgers lineup replete with regulars, recorded all seven of his punchouts on swinging strikes and was especially effective with his slider. "My sliders over the past two games have just gotten better and better," Manaea said. "I feel like I'm really starting to rip it and not worried about placing it somewhere and trying to make it do something. I just get my grip and let it go."

Clase has struck out three and allowed three hits across three innings in three Cactus League appearances.

Clase enters the 2022 campaign as the Guardians' top closing option. With James Karinchak (shoulder) sidelined to start the season, it's safe to say Clase will get a week or two at a minimum to take full control of ninth-inning duties. The flamethrowing right-hander was fantastic last year with a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 74:16 K:BB across 69.2 innings. He logged 24 saves, six holds and five blown saves.

Trivino, who's fired three scoreless innings across three Cactus League appearances, should be the clear-cut closer to open the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has worked around three hits and a walk while recording six punchouts thus far, an encouraging start after he saw his strikeout rate tumble to 21.6 percent last season. Trivino recorded a career-high 22 saves last season over 26 chances and added eight holds, giving him no shortage of fantasy relevance. Given his experience, solid results in the role last season and the makeup of the rest of the bullpen, it appears he'll be given every opportunity to hold on to the closer job in 2022.

Misiewicz, who logged a team-high 66 appearances last season, should continue as the bullpen's primary left-handed specialist in 2022, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. "He's had stretches where he's been really good, then he'll have other stretches where it'll happen really quick," manager Scott Servais said. "I'm really hoping he takes a step forward. He could be another guy, pivotal guy, a true pivot guy."

The 27-year-old produced a so-so 4.61 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across his 54.2 innings last season, underscoring some of the inconsistency Servais was alluding to. However, Misiewicz rewarded fantasy managers with 19 holds and five victories. There are blemishes attached to fellow southpaw bullpen options Justus Sheffield, who may also be picking up some spot starts, Nick Margevicius (shoulder) and Roenis Elias (elbow).

Munoz has logged two scoreless innings during which he's allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts across his first two Cactus League appearances this spring.

The flamethrowing right-hander's arrival in camp was delayed by visa issues, but he's made good use of his scant opportunities thus far. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that Munoz, who's already the hardest thrower on staff, is also working on refining his slider to reduce the sweep it has at the moment. The 23-year-old, who's logged just five total appearances -- four at the minor-league level -- since 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, should be a key late-inning option for manager Scott Servais in the coming season.

Bowlan (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bowlan underwent Tommy John surgery early last summer, and Tuesday's bullpen session marked his first time back on the mound. The 25-year-old still has a significant way to go in his recovery, and he should continue building up his arm in hopes of being cleared for game action during the second half of the 2022 campaign.

Pivetta allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over four-plus innings in Tuesday's spring training start against the Pirates.

Pivetta took the mound for the third time and clearly didn't have his best stuff. In addition to the three free passes, the right-hander gave up two home runs. He did, however, get his pitch count up to 78, which puts him on schedule with one more Grapefruit League start before facing the Yankees in the second game of the regular season. The plan is for Pivetta to throw six innings the next time out, Dawn Klemish of MLB.com reports.

Alexander is expected to be included in the Tigers' Opening Day rotation as the No. 5 starter while Michael Pineda's arrival at spring training remains delayed by visa issues, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Though Pineda's visa issues could be resolved any day now, the 33-year-old won't have enough time to complete a buildup program that would put him on track to handle a starter's workload by the time the regular season begins. Prior to Detroit's addition of Pineda earlier this month, Alexander had already been stretching out for a possible starting role. According to Morosi, the Tigers are expecting Alexander to take up to two turns in the rotation before transitioning into a long-relief role once Pineda is available.

The Angels reassigned Weiss to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Considering Weiss hasn't pitched in the majors since 2018, his exclusion from the Angels' Opening Day roster comes as little surprise. After inking a minor-league deal with the Halos earlier in the offseason, Weiss is expected to serve as organizational bullpen depth at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2022.

The White Sox optioned Lambert to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

He was one of nine players optioned or reassigned Tuesday in the latest round of the White Sox's cuts from big-league camp. Lambert is expected to slot into the Charlotte rotation for the second year in a row after producing a 4.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 64.1 innings across 19 starts. The 27-year-old will be an option to make spot starts for the big club in 2022 if the White Sox's rotation depth should be tested at any point.