MLB Player News

Winckowski was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Winckowski was added to Boston's 40-man roster in November and will now head to minor-league camp after opening spring training with the major-league club. He appeared in two games for Worcester but spent most of 2021 at the Double-A level, where he posted a 4.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 88:30 K:BB across 100 innings.

Mata (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Mata underwent Tommy John surgery last April and sat out the 2021 campaign, and he still has a bit to go in his recovery. The 22-year-old could return to game action sometime over the summer if there's no issues with his rehab program.

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

Texas sent out Rodriguez and fellow pitcher Demarcus Evans to Triple-A as it reduced its group in big-league camp to 57 players. While working as a swingman at Round Rock following a mid-season promotion from Double-A Frisco in 2021, Rodriguez appeared in 13 games (four starts) at the Triple-A level and finished with an 8.01 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 30.1 frames.

Patino (shoulder) threw an 18-to-20 pitch bullpen session Wednesday with no issues, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday with some shoulder soreness, but his quick return to the mound indicates it's not a serious concern. The 22-year-old is now scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday as he moves toward a return to game action.

The Guardians announced Wednesday that Morris is dealing with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder and will be shut down for 4-to-6 weeks before being re-evaluated, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

An MRI revealed the injury, which will keep Morris sidelined for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old has yet to make his major-league debut since being drafted by Cleveland in 2018, but if he can get healthy, he'll likely get the chance to join the big club at some point in 2022. Morris made eight starts with Triple-A Columbus in 2021, producing a 2-2 record with a 1.72 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 52 in 36.2 innings.

Montero (lat) reported to the Astros' big-league camp Wednesday after resolving his visa issue, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As a reliever, Montero likely won't require much build-up time in advance of Opening Day, despite having missed nearly two weeks' worth of workouts. However, he'll still need to prove that he's fully recovered from the right lat strain that kept him sidelined from Aug. 8 onward last season. If healthy, Montero will likely settle into a middle-relief role for Houston to begin the 2022 season.

Shaw signed a contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Shaw spent the 2021 season with Cleveland, appearing in 81 games and posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 77.1 innings. The veteran reliever converted two out of eight save opportunities while also recording 20 holds on the season. His 6-7 record and 71:38 strikeout to walk ratio from last season along with his inability to close games makes him an unattractive bullpen option.

The Twins optioned Henriquez to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Henriquez was one of six pitchers optioned to minor-league camp as the Twins made their first round of cuts. Acquired earlier this month from the Rangers in the deal that sent Mitch Garver to Texas, Henriquez will move up a level to begin his tenure with a new organization. He split time between Double-A Frisco and High-A Hickory in 2021, compiling a 4.71 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 105:25 K:BB in 93.2 innings between the two stops.

The Twins optioned Balazovic to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Balazovic was one of six pitchers optioned to minor-league camp as the Twins made their first round of cuts. The 23-year-old right-hander will move up a level to begin the 2022 campaign after he turned in a 3.62 ERA and 102:38 K:BB in 97 innings at Double-A Wichita in 2021.

The Twins optioned Sands to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sands was one of six pitchers optioned to minor-league camp as the Twins made their first round of cuts. The 24-year-old right-hander was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason after he turned in a 2.46 ERA and 96:35 K:BB in 80.1 innings at Double-A Wichita in 2021.