MLB Player News

Thielbar (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Saturday, MLB.com reports. "I don't know exact timeline, but I anticipate being just fine for the second half of March at least to get into some games and be ready to go," Thielbar said afterward.

The Twins could have Thielbar throw one more live BP session before turning him loose in a game setting for his Grapefruit League debut, but the reliever still looks on pace to be ready for Opening Day. Thielbar, who is recovering from a left hamstring strain, turned in a 3.23 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 36:6 K:BB while collecting 14 holds and three wins in 30.2 innings out of the Minnesota bullpen in 2023.

The Angels optioned Mederos to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Mederos got his feet wet in the majors last season and pitched well this spring, allowing three runs with a 12:3 K:BB over 8.2 frames. The 22-year-old was used in relief in his three big-league appearances but should be part of Salt Lake's rotation.

Marsh has allowed one run on five hits and four walks while striking out 12 over 10 innings across four Cactus League appearances.

Marsh doesn't have a clear path to the Royals' rotation, and that's been reflected in his usage -- only one of his four spring outings has been a start. The 25-year-old started eight of his 17 appearances last season, posting a 5.69 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 85:39 K:BB over 74.1 innings overall. Marsh may still be stretched out in the minors at Triple-A Omaha if he doesn't earn a spot in the Royals' bullpen, but he's pitched well enough this spring to earn a spot in the majors. The one knock against Marsh is that he still walks too many batters.

Hernandez (shoulder) played catch over the weekend and will do so again Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was shut down from throwing after a cortisone injection in late February. He's now beginning to ramp up again, though it still seems likely he'll have to miss part of the regular season. Hernandez is likely to join the Royals' bullpen once he's up to speed.

Curry has allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking none over eight innings across three Cactus League appearances.

Curry has started two of his three outings. The 25-year-old appears set for a swingman role in 2024, though a lot could hinge on the status of Gavin Williams (elbow) and his availability to begin the campaign. Curry started nine of his 41 appearances last season and stayed in the majors for the whole season since the Guardians' rotation was plagued by injuries. He was solid with a 4.07 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 67:30 K:BB over 95 innings. Curry won't be much of a fantasy option out of the bullpen given his low strikeout numbers, but there's no clear path to the rotation for now.

Tate has allowed one hit and hit one batsman while striking out three over four scoreless innings across four Grapefruit League appearances.

Tate didn't pitch in the majors in 2023 while rehabbing a forearm injury. While he's not the favorite for saves in the Orioles' bullpen, he's put in good work in the spring to push his way into the setup mix. Tate was strong in that role in 2022, logging 16 holds, five saves, a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB over 73.2 innings in 2022. Tate figures to compete with Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe for late-inning work.

Speas was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Monday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Speas allowed three runs with a 3:6 K:BB over six innings this spring. Walks have always been an issue for the 26-year-old and they could prevent the 26-year-old from receiving high-leverage looks for the White Sox even as he has better stuff than most of their other relievers.

Karinchak (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a throwing progression Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Karinchak had been shut down from throwing all spring after he had been experiencing right shoulder fatigue prior to reporting to camp. Since he's projected to serve as a one-inning reliever for Cleveland once healthy, Karinchak won't require as extensive of a ramp-up program as a starting pitcher, but with Opening Day approximately two and a half weeks away, the right-hander may not be ready to go by the time the Guardians open the regular season. Provided that he navigates his throwing program free of setbacks, Karinchak should be in store for only a brief stint on the IL to begin the season if the Guardians opt not to include him on the Opening Day roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Hernandez (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, but Bochy is unsure whether the reliever will have enough time to prep for Opening Day, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Hernandez has been slow-played this spring after suffering a right shoulder injury during last year's postseason. He's come along without any apparent setbacks, but the hard-throwing righty might not have enough runway to show he should be in the Opening Day bullpen.

Romano walked two and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning during a split-squad game against the Orioles on Sunday.

The free passes were the first Romano had issued this spring, and through 4.1 innings over five appearances he's rung up a 6:2 K:BB. The 30-year-old is locked in as the Blue Jays' closer after posting a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons while racking up 95 saves in 106 chances.