MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Joyce to Double-A Rocket City on Friday.

The hard-throwing reliever held an 8.59 ERA and 6:9 K:BB over 7.1 innings this spring. Joyce could still be a key cog in the Angels' bullpen at some point this season, but he'll work on tightening things up in the minors first.

The Angels optioned Wantz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

The Angels stretched Wantz out this spring but he didn't pitch well, allowing seven runs on 14 hits and four walks over 10 innings. He seems likely to return to a relief role at Salt Lake.

The Red Sox optioned Criswell to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Criswell put his best foot forward in competing for a rotation spot this spring, collecting a 2.95 ERA and 17:3 K:BB across 18.1 innings of work. However, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock also pitched well and they were ultimately given the fourth and fifth slots. Criswell will stay stretched out in Worcester's rotation.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Friday that Bradford will make at least one start early on in the season, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Bradford is expected to lose his spot in Texas' rotation following the addition of Michael Lorenzen, but the club has yet to determine when Lorenzen will be ready to take the mound. Even if he's not part of the first turn through the rotation, the left-handed Bradford will likely be needed when the Rangers play 17 days in a row in the middle of April. After that, it's not clear whether the plan is to shift him to the bullpen or keep him stretched out in the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.

Hernandez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez has been throwing for nearly two weeks, but this appears to be an increase in intensity. The right-hander's status for Opening Day remains up in the air, but it doesn't seem likely he'll be ready to begin the season.

Gott will undergo Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a fully torn UCL in his right elbow, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear how long the elbow has been bothering Gott, but he was blasted for eight runs in three innings this spring. He had been in the high-leverage mix for the Athletics but instead will miss the entire 2024 campaign. Gott will become a free agent after the season.

Hentges (finger) will begin the season on the injured list, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

There's no word yet on a specific diagnosis for Hentges' finger injury, but it's apparently bad enough that a stint on the IL will be required. It's a blow to the Guardians' bullpen, as he boasts a 2.91 ERA and 128:37 K:BB over 114.1 innings across the last two seasons.

Beede was informed Friday he made the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander signed with Cleveland as a non-roster invitee in January and earned a roster spot by posting a 1.69 ERA with a 10:4 K:BB over 10.2 frames in spring training. Beede spent last season pitching in Japan and had a 4.08 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 75 innings. He still needs to be officially added to the club's 26-man and 40-man rosters.

The Yankees optioned Andrews to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Acquired via trade last month, Andrews struggled this spring and posted a 9.53 ERA over five appearances. He'll provide left-handed relief depth in the minors.

The Tigers reassigned Anderson to minor-league camp Friday.

Anderson impressed early in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he ended up with a 7.88 ERA in his six spring appearances. The right-hander spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan, and he'll likely be one of Detroit's top options for a promotion when bullpen depth is needed.