MLB Player News

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that Pearson suffered a "mild re-aggravation of his right groin" injury while throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Toronto is labeling Pearson as day-to-day, but the setback effectively eliminates any hope he had of making the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster. With Pearson out of the rotation for the time being, Atkins said that Ross Stripling "has a leg up" over Thomas Hatch and Anthony Kay for the fifth starter's role, according to Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star.

Pivetta allowed four hits, a walk and a run while striking out four over four innings in Monday's spring game against the Rays.

Pivetta had some early issues, giving up hits to the first two batters and a run in the first inning. After that, he worked around all the traffic encountered over the final three innings. Pivetta has pitched well during Grapefruit League play, allowing three runs in nine innings as he continues solidifying securing his spot in the rotation.

Mayers has gotten into four Cactus League games thus far, pitching three innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five.

In addition to giving up too many hits, Mayers was literally hit by a batted ball in early March, though he turned out to be fine despite having to leave that game. While the slow start to spring is mildly concerning, the right-hander figures to begin the campaign as one of the Angels' top setup options after posting a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 30 innings in 2020.

Iglesias is likely to pitch exclusively in save situations this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Manager Joe Maddon noted late last week that Iglesias could be used for multiple-inning saves in certain situations, but the veteran closer isn't expected to be used much in non-save situations. Iglesias has compiled 106 career saves and brings a level of stability to the back end of an Angels bullpen that ranked dead last in baseball with 14 blown saves last season.

Puk, who Martin Gallegos of MLB.com relayed Sunday could be a top candidate to open the season as the No. 5 starter, is likely to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday, Gallegos separately reports.

Puk threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and reportedly impressed with his velocity and a sharp breaking ball, and he's now in the midst of a three-day rest period. That lines him up for a potential spring debut against the Royals on Wednesday, an outing in which he'd begin the ramp-up process to potentially serve in the capacity of an opener or conventional starter early in the season if Mike Fiers (hip) is sidelined.

Anderson has been credited with a hold in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances, firing two clean frames during which he's recorded two strikeouts.

It's a very small sample, but Anderson has put on a pretty convincing impression of the late-inning dominator he was throughout the regular season last year before running out of gas in the postseason. The 30-year-old pitched to a career-best 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP across 19 appearances in 2020, displaying his versatility by garnering six holds and saves apiece. Anderson is likely to see some save opportunities again in 2021, as manager Kevin Cash could well deploy a closer-by-committee approach.

Jimenez was returned to the Blue Jays by the Athletics on Monday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Jimenez was selected by Oakland in the Rule 5 draft, but he evidently wasn't going to secure a roster spot. He'll join Toronto's camp as a non-roster invitee and could push for a promotion at some point this season, but he's unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster.

Pearson (groin) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Pearson's groin strain is expected to prevent him from being ready to start by Opening Day, but the fact that he continues to throw is certainly a good sign. It's not yet clear if Pearson will be ready to open the year in the bullpen or if he'll continue to go through a throwing progression while off the active roster.

Staumont revealed Monday that he contracted COVID-19 right before the start of camp, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

He lost weight and dealt with a high fever, which is why he is a little behind the rest of Kansas City's relievers in terms of getting spring work in. Staumont made his spring debut Sunday, striking out one while allowing zero baserunners in one inning against the Dodgers. He should work in the late innings and will compete with Greg Holland and Scott Barlow for save opportunities.

Manager Bob Melvin suggested Sunday that Puk will be the top candidate to begin the season as the Athletics' fifth starter if Mike Fiers (hip) is placed on the injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

With Fiers having yet to pitch in a game this spring and now expected to be shut down for a few days after receiving an injection to address inflammation in his hip, his chances of being ready for Opening Day are growing increasingly dimmer. Puk would at least present the Athletics with a high-upside replacement, so long as he can get enough innings under his belt this spring for Melvin to feel comfortable deploying him in a starting role. If Puk's workload is still a concern for coming out of spring training, the Athletics could choose to deploy him as more of an opener or primary pitcher when Fiers' turn in the rotation is due. Daulton Jefferies and Cole Irvin are other candidates to step in as a fifth starter if Oakland prefers to keep Puk in the bullpen.