MLB Player News

Davidson struck out four batters over three perfect innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Facing something very close to Minnesota's Opening Day lineup, Davidson went nine up and nine down, with his strikeout victims including Gary Sanchez, Miguel Sano and Alex Kirilloff. Davidson has looked very good to begin spring training, posting an 8:0 K:BB through his first five innings, and after getting his first taste of success in the majors at the end of the 2021 campaign, the southpaw could be emerging from the pack of younger arms competing for a spot at the back of Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

X-rays came back negative on Rogers' shin Sunday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Rogers was hit by a line drive off the bat of Joey Votto on Saturday and exited with the trainer immediately after. Though he may not re-take the mound for a few days, the injury should not affect his ability to be ready for Opening Day.

Williams threw a new cutter about eight times, all of which were to left-handed hitters, during Friday's spring training game, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Williams' changeup remained extremely effective with .161 BA, .232 SLG and .211 wOBA in 2021. With above-average horizontal and vertical movement, it would benefit Williams to add a pitch that breaks towards lefties. Williams hopes to use the cutter against lefties to "get them off of the other side of the plate a little bit." Although Williams isn't sure how effective the cutter will be, it's something to monitor during the season.

Fulmer was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The eighth overall pick in 2015 by the White Sox has a career 6.41 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 130.2 innings. Fulmer threw three scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and four strikeouts in spring training.

Treinen has not been given the closer role, but he is the leading candidate for saves, reports Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated, "Right now where we're at, we don't have a dedicated closer." While this seems a negative, Roberts also mentioned that the "easy answer" would be to turn to Treinen as the closer. It's possible the veteran reliever will be needed to put out fires earlier in games occasionally.

Alvarado has not made an appearance this spring due to "a little neck issue," manager Joe Girardi revealed on Saturday.

Alvarado was shut down from throwing for three days beginning Thursday as he looks to recover from the issue. The reliever hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but may be delayed if the issue lingers.

Kahnle (elbow) threw live batting practice Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Saturday's session was Kahnle's first live batting practice since he underwent Tommy John surgery back in August of 2020. He's being brought along carefully this spring and isn't considered likely to make the Opening Day roster, but he doesn't appear to be too far behind. The 32-year-old righty should have the chance to carve out at least a middle-relief role once fully healthy, as he owns a 3.82 ERA and a 29.3 percent strikeout rate in 277.2 career major-league innings.

Rogers left his spring outing Saturday against the Reds after getting hit by a comebacker, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Rogers took a hard hit in his lower right leg from a one-hopper off the bat of Joey Votto and exited with a team trainer. If he suffered nothing worse than a bruise, he should still have time to get up to speed by Opening Day, but a more serious issue could send him to the injured list.

Antone (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Antone underwent Tommy John surgery in late August and is expected to miss most or all of the 2022 campaign, so his placement on the 60-day IL isn't surprising. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Tommy Pham, who officially signed a one-year contract with Cincinnati on Saturday.

Bender could step in as the Marlins' closer early in the season since Dylan Floro is behind schedule in camp due to arm soreness, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

Bender made his major-league debut in 2021 and posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 61.1 innings across 60 appearances (one start). The right-hander converted three of five save chances while recording 12 holds during that time. It's possible that Bender will be able to carve out ninth-inning work early in the 2022 campaign.