MLB Player News

Webb owns a 3.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 5:1 K:BB and three holds across the 4.2 innings covering his first five Grapefruit League appearances.

The veteran southpaw has also held hitters to a cumulative .176 average while posting three scoreless one-inning outings in his five trips to the mound. Webb is coming off a career-best 2020 campaign during which he recorded a 2.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, one save and two holds across 21.2 innings (21 appearances).

Cabrera, who allowed three earned runs across two innings over his first pair of Grapefruit League appearances, has now tossed consecutive scoreless, one-inning outings.

Cabrera seems to be settling in after battling some of his trademark control issues during his first two trips to the mound this spring, when he issued four walks across his initial pair of frames. The 24-year-old southpaw was a revelation in 2020 with a 4-1 record, 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33.7 percent strikeout rate across 19 appearances, and he profiles for a similar high-usage bullpen role again this coming season.

Rainey (collarbone) could pitch in a game this weekend, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

He will throw another simulated game Thursday, and if that goes well, Rainey will pitch in an exhibition game this weekend. He still has time to get ready for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks.

Betances' four-seamer averaged 90.6 mph in Tuesday's appearance against the Astros, down a couple ticks from earlier this spring, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

He allowed two runs on a pair of hits (though one of those came on an outfield misplay) and a hit batsman while striking out one over one inning, and Betances has now given up six runs with a 2:3 K:BB in four innings this spring. It was reported earlier this spring that he had returned to his old arm slot after battling injuries in recent years, but something still isn't right for the towering righty. He should be considered a volatile middle reliever going forward.

Lambert (elbow) has been regularly taking part in long-toss throwing off flat ground during spring training, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

The Rockies appear to be pleased with how Lambert is advancing through his throwing program as he makes his way back from the Tommy John surgery he required last July. He could be ready to begin mound work by the end of the spring, which would likely put him on track to make his return to game action at some point late in the second half of the season. Colorado will likely place Lambert on the 60-day injured list shortly before Opening Day.

Garcia has an 11.25 ERA through his first four appearances (four innings) this spring.

The culprit has been two homers, as Garcia's 4:0 K:BB is solid. The 30-year-old has had issues in the past keeping the ball in the park, serving up 15 home runs over 62.1 innings for the Dodgers in 2019, but a small spring sample isn't cause for too much alarm. It may, however, be enough to put him behind Anthony Bass in the race to be the Marlins' closer to begin the season.

Bass has yet to give up an earned run this spring over five appearances (five innings) while posting a 4:2 K:BB.

The right-hander headed into the spring in the mix for the closer role in Miami, and while he hasn't been particularly dominant, he's been much more effective than his main competition, Yimi Garcia. Bass has 12 saves over the last two seasons while seeing some ninth-inning duty for the Mariners and Jays, but the track record of Marlins manager Don Mattingly suggests he prefers having one closer over a committee, so the 33-year-old could eclipse that number quickly in 2021.

Martin struck out two in a perfect inning of work during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

It was his first official game action of the spring, as Atlanta had held Martin to live batting practice and simulated games before Monday. The right-hander is expected to be a key part of the team's high-leverage mix this season, but he's more likely to move the needle in fantasy formats that reward holds instead of only saves.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martin to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Arizona gave Martin the token chance to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but he was never considered likely to unseat Merrill Kelly, Caleb Smith or Luke Weaver for a back-end starting role. Given that Martin hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since requiring Tommy John surgery in July 2019, the Diamondbacks likely want to give him an extended look at Triple-A.

The Diamondbacks optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Bukauskas was the most surprising of the Diamondbacks' five roster cuts Tuesday, as he appeared to be on solid ground in his bid for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The Diamondbacks are expected to continue developing Bukauskas as a reliever as he heads back to the minors, but the organization presumably wants to see how he fares in his first exposure to Triple-A hitters before considering a promotion. Bukauskas endured a rough 2019 campaign with the Diamondbacks' and Astros' Double-A affiliates, compiling a 5.44 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 92.2 innings.