Chapman's spring struggles along with those of Liam Hendriks leave Boston's closer role unsettled, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Chapman has a 4.91 ERA with six walks through 3.2 spring innings, which is better than Hendriks, who has a 13.50 ERA and 11 hits allowed over four innings. Manager Alex Cora acknowledged both pitchers have been knocked around but is taking an optimistic view that both are "going to be OK." If neither Chapman nor Hendriks improve over the last two weeks of the Grapefruit League, then Justin Slaten, unaccustomed to the mental aspects of closing, might sneak in to take on the ninth-inning role.

Boston manager Alex Cora is not panicked by Hendriks' spring results thus far, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports. "The velo's good, he's just got to execute," Cora said Monday. "I think it's too early to be worried about that. As long as he's healthy, we're going to keep running him out there."

Hendriks was most recently tagged for two runs on three hits over one inning Sunday, the third consecutive outing in which the Red Sox's potential closer has given up runs. The manager pointed to Hendrik's velocity, which was at 91 mph early in camp before increasing to 96 mph in Grapefruit League games. Cora takes an optimistic tack, while others, like one rival scout told McAdam, see Hendriks has been missing location over the middle of the plate. There's still time for Hendriks (13.50 ERA, 11 hits, four spring innings) to stabilize, but at this point in the Grapefruit League, Boston's closer situation remains unsettled. Aroldis Chapman (4.91 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 3.2 spring innings) and Justin Slaten (no earned runs, three innings) are also in the mix.

The Blue Jays optioned Robertson to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Robertson struck out a pair in a scoreless inning in his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday versus the Twins but was then cut from big-league camp after the contest. The 26-year-old will begin the season at Buffalo but should get an opportunity in the Blue Jays' bullpen eventually.

Green struck out one in a perfect inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The right-hander has been nearly untouchable so far this spring, allowing zero runs or hits over four innings with a 4:1 K:BB. Green recorded a career-high 17 saves in 2024, but the January signing of Jeff Hoffman to be the Blue Jays' closer bumped everyone else in the bullpen down a rung. Green has experience in a setup role as well, producing 10 wins and 19 holds for the Yankees over 67 regular-season appearances in 2021.

The White Sox Sox" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="MLB" data-team-abbreviation="CHW">White Sox optioned White to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

A late entry into the competition for a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day pitching staff after he was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Feb. 17, White made just one appearance in Cactus League play before getting sent back to minor-league camp. Though White has made all five of his career appearances in the majors as a reliever, he worked as a swingman at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization in 2024 and could get a look in the Charlotte rotation to begin the upcoming season.

Uceta threw 1.2 scoreless innings against the Blue Jays on Sunday and now has a 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through four Grapefruit League appearances.

The right-hander struck out the side in his spring debut back on Feb. 25. Overall, he has held opponents to a .143 BAA during this year's exhibition slate. Uceta had one of the highest strikeout rates in baseball in the second half last year at nearly 40 percent, and he looks like the top candidate for saves in Tampa Bay behind primary closer Pete Fairbanks entering the 2025 regular season.

Smith struck out five batters and walked none while allowing one hit over three innings in his Cactus League start against the Dodgers on Saturday.

The first pick of the 2024 Rule 5 draft, Smith was left unprotected by Milwaukee but has impressed thus far in White Sox camp. The 24-year-old righty averaged 96.8 mph on his four-seam fastball (touching 98.4 mph) and threw the pitch 55 percent of the time Saturday. He mixed in his three secondary offerings, but it was Smith's fastball that shut down a stacked Dodgers lineup, including two Ks against Shohei Ohtani plus one apiece against Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. With Drew Thorpe (elbow) likely to open the year on the shelf, Smith could win the final spot in Chicago's rotation. He has certainly pitched well enough this spring (nine Ks, 0.75 WHIP in 6.2 innings) that the White Sox won't be returning Smith to the Brewers.

Mata (lat) is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

While battling hamstring, lat, shoulder and elbow issues, Mata spent the entire 2024 season on the Red Sox's injured list. He was able to make 13 rehab appearances across four different affiliates last season, but he was never cleared to make his MLB debut before Boston non-tendered him in November. Mata re-signed with Boston on a minor-league deal and finally looks to be healthy again as he prepares to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, but the 25-year-old right-hander won't be in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's instead expected to open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he could end up making a full-time move to relief due to injuries having sidetracked his development as a starter.

Ort (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has taken a step forward in his throwing progression after he had previously been limited to playing catch off flat ground. The 33-year-old right-hander tweaked an oblique early in camp and has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but since he'll be deployed as a one- or two-inning reliever once healthy, Ort could still have a shot at being ready to go for Opening Day.

Fairbanks has thrown 1.2 innings across two appearances in the Grapefruit League.

Fairbanks ended the 2024 season on the injured list with a lat injury, so the fact that he's had a healthy spring is positive. While he hasn't seen much game action, he's projected to serve as the Rays' primary closer once the regular season kicks off.