MLB Player News

Harvey (triceps) is slated to face hitters in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals picked up Harvey on March 21 via waivers after the 27-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment for the second time since the end of the 2021 season. Though the oft-injured pitcher was able to pass a physical, he's still in the process of building up after he finished last season on the injured list with a right triceps strain. Harvey has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut and could be a candidate to open the season on the 15-day injured list, but he shouldn't be sidelined for much longer than the minimum amount of time if he avoids any further setbacks.

Underwood (shoulder) is scheduled to make his third relief appearance of spring training in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Underwood reported to Pirates camp at full health after a bout with right shoulder inflammation sidelined him for the final month of the 2021 campaign. He's been effective in both of his first two Grapefruit League appearances, spinning three scoreless frames while striking out three and allowing only two baserunners. Underwood looks well positioned to win a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen.

The Pirates plan to split closing duties between Bednar and Chris Stratton to open the season, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Bednar and Stratton split the job last year after the departure of Richard Rodriguez, and it's not a major surprise the pair will continue to do so to begin 2022. Bednar had a lighter share of the role with three saves but pitched better with a 2.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 77:19 K:BB across 60.2 innings. Meanwhile, Stratton picked up eight saves and had a 3.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 86:33 K:BB.

Lamet is expected to open the season in the bullpen, though the Padres haven't officially decided on his role, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Lamet mostly worked in relief last season with nine starts in 22 appearances, and he finished with a 4.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 57:22 K:BB across 47 innings. The right-hander was electric as a starter during 2020 with a 2.09 ERA and 93:20 K:BB in 12 starts, but he then had four stints on the injured list last season with elbow issues. A move to the bullpen could help keep Lamet healthy, and his stuff would play well as a closer. However, the 29-year-old, who rarely worked in relief prior to 2021, would need to get acclimated to regularly pitching out of the bullpen before taking on a high-leverage role, so he's unlikely to be a factor in the late innings until later in the season should the Friars opt to utilize him that way.

Atlanta has placed Jackson on the 60-day injured list March 19 with a right lat strain.

The transaction opened up a roster spot for reliever Kenley Jansen, who inked a one-year, $16 million deal with Atlanta. Jackson, whom Atlanta acquired from San Francisco in November, recorded a 3.74 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 21.2 innings with the Giants in 2021.

Kahnle (elbow) threw his second live batting practice Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The 32-year-old won't be ready for Opening Day as he nears his return from Tommy John surgery in August of 2020, but he could be off the injured list by the end of April, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Kahnle was a key bullpen piece for the Yankees back in 2019 and had 27 holds with a 3.67 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 88:20 K:BB over 61.1 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Bickford isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after experiencing arm soreness before the start of spring training, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Bickford had a delayed start to camp and has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game, though his spring debut may not be far off given he's already thrown live batting practice. The 26-year-old turned into a reliable bullpen piece for the Dodgers last season with nine holds and a 2.81 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 51.1 innings, and he should fill a setup role once healthy in 2022.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Brogdon is scheduled to make his third Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday against the Tigers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Brogdon reported to camp with a clean bill of health after finishing the 2021 campaign on the injured list with a groin issue, but he hasn't looked particularly sharp in his limited spring action to date. Over two relief appearances, Brogdon has given up two earned runs on two hits and four walks across 1.1 innings, with Zolecki noting that the right-hander's average fastball velocity has been down a few ticks from his 2021 average of 96 miles per hour. The Phillies haven't suggested that Brogdon is dealing with any sort of physical issue, but his poor form so far this spring might mean that he'll have to settle for lower-leverage work when the regular season begins.

Santillan told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday that he'll serve as a reliever for the Reds to begin the season. "I'll go in and attack every hitter I face," Santillan said.

Santillan has mostly served as a full-time starter since joining the Reds organization as a second-round pick in 2015, with this past season marking the first time he dabbled between starting and relief duty. The 24-year-old still made four starts across his 26 appearances with the big club in 2021, and though he was expected to compete for a rotation role in spring training, the Reds have since tabled those plans. Even with Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Mike Minor (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, the Reds may be content to let prospects Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene fill out the final two openings in the rotation behind Tyler Mahle, Vladimir Gutierrez and Reiver Sanmartin. Meanwhile, manager David Bell informed Santillan that he'll be heading to the bullpen, where he's expected to serve as one of the Reds' high-leverage relievers, according to Goldsmith. Santillan could be a factor in the Reds' closing picture, which has become more murkier this spring with Lucas Sims (elbow) on track to join Castillo and Minor on the IL to begin the season.

Robertson (personal) faced hitters in a live batting practice session Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After recently taking a few days away from the team to witness the birth of his child, Robertson is back at Cubs camp and has resumed gearing up for the regular season. The workouts he missed likely won't put him too far behind in his preparation for Opening Day, so Robertson should remain on track to break camp with the club. He linked up with the Cubs on a one-year, $3.5 million deal earlier in March after impressing during his stint with the United States team in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo last year before he joined the Rays for the final month of the 2021 campaign.