MLB Player News

King (shoulder) is expected to be a full participant during the Rangers' spring camp, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

King has yet to make his 2022 Cactus League debut, but that shouldn't be far away now that the Rangers are giving him full clearance after he underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in September. Though the track record of pitchers returning from the procedure isn't promising, King has apparently been free of setbacks in his recovery and should have a chance at making the Opening Day bullpen if he fares well in his spring outings. King still has three minor-league options remaining, so it wouldn't be too surprising if the Rangers took a cautious approach and sent him to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the season so he can attempt to regain form in a lower-pressure setting.

Scott (knee) is scheduled to appear in relief Tuesday in the Orioles' Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Scott will be making his second appearance of the spring after he worked around a pair of walks to turn in a scoreless frame in his Grapefruit League debut Friday versus the Blue Jays. His inclusion on the Orioles' pitching schedule Tuesday is an indication that he's at full health this spring after he missed the final three weeks of the 2021 campaign with a left knee sprain. Baltimore hasn't appointed a closer ahead of Opening Day, but Scott and Cole Sulser look like the top frontrunners for saves among the relievers currently on the roster.

Munoz will throw a live batting practice session Monday after resolving the visa issue that delayed his arrival at big-league camp, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

The fact that Munoz is facing hitters shortly after reporting to camp suggests that he was able to do some ramping up on his own while he was away from the team. After inking a four-year extension in November, Munoz is locked in as a critical late-inning piece for Seattle entering 2022. The availability of Munoz -- who was limited to one late-season appearance in 2021 while finishing up his recovery from Tommy John surgery -- takes on added importance after ace setup man Casey Sadler was ruled out for the season Sunday after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Crochet is following last year's Michael Kopech plan and is hopeful he will move into the rotation in 2023, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech threw 72.1 innings last season (including the playoffs) and made four starts and is now competing for a rotation spot. Crochet, who is three years younger than Kopech, logged 56.2 innings (including the playoffs), and he only logged two or more innings on six occasions, never surpassing three frames in an outing. He was able to have a normal offseason, which was not the case heading into last year, as he spent last winter rehabilitating from a flexor strain. Crochet's fastball and slider will always be his top two offerings, but if his changeup improves and he stays healthy, he should be given the chance to follow in Kopech's footsteps.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Taylor is dealing with a minor back issue that could affect his availability for Opening Day, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Taylor contended with a back injury late in the 2021 regular season, but he was reinstated from the injured list prior to the Red Sox's wild-card round series. Though he seemingly came out of the postseason without any setbacks, the back issue has apparently reared its head again while he's been throwing during the spring. The 29-year-old was an important bullpen arm for Boston in 2022, but the Red Sox are better equipped to handle a potential Taylor absence after adding two lefties to the bullpen this offseason in Jake Diekman and Matt Strahm.

Beeks (elbow) is listed as the Rays' starting pitcher for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays will likely ask Beeks to cover only one or two innings in what marks his first competitive action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2020. Before sustaining the season-ending injury, Beeks had made 12 appearances out of the Rays' bullpen, but the decision to have him start Monday could signal that the organization plans to have him work as a starter at Triple-A Durham to begin the 2022 campaign.

Cisnero (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cisnero has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but his ability to face hitters suggests that he's moved past the elbow laceration that resulted in him concluding the 2021 season on the injured list. After submitting a 3.65 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while striking out 62 over 61.2 innings in 67 appearances last season, Cisnero should be in good position to break camp as a member of the Detroit bullpen.

The Mariners will use a committee to close out games again in 2022, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports. "We'll have a number of guys who will finish off games for us," manager Scott Servais said.

Sewald was one of the top breakout relief pitchers of 2021, using the change in his fastball angle to explode his strikeout rate. He certainly possessed closer skills last season with a 39.4% strikeout rate and a 30.3% K-BB%. But his ability to go longer in outings can work against him, as it could encourage Servais to turn to Sewald earlier in the game and get 4-to-5 critical outs, as he did five times in September last year.

Giles (elbow) has been throwing 95 mph in batting practice and will make his spring training game debut soon, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports.

Giles will not be a full-time closer for the Mariners, nor will anyone else in their pen, as they will be going by committee again by design. "We'll have a number of guys who will finish off games for us," manager Scott Servais said.

Akin (hip) will start Monday's spring training game against the Twins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin underwent a hip procedure early in the offseason, but it doesn't appear it will affect his availability for the start of the season. The 26-year-old struggled in 24 appearances (17 starts) for the Orioles in 2021 with a 6.63 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 82:40 K:BB over 95 innings.