MLB Player News

Rainey (collarbone) tossed a live batting practice session Sunday, Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com reports.

After experiencing no issues with his collarbone coming out of his bullpen sessions in recent days, Rainey was cleared to take the next step forward in the recovery process by facing hitters. The Nationals have yet to pinpoint a target date for Rainey to make his Grapefruit League debut, but his activity Sunday is certainly a step in the right direction. Rainey was arguably the Nationals' top reliever in 2020, finishing the abbreviated campaign with a 2.66 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

The Cubs are awaiting word from the league on whether they'll have a fourth minor-league option on Alzolay for the upcoming season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The issue comes down to how the shortened 2020 season will be treated for purposes of options. If the Cubs do have another option year with Alzolay, the righty could be sent to the alternate training site to start the year in an effort to manage his innings. He should still figure into the team's rotation plans for 2021 either way, as he posted a solid 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts) last season.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Moll to their minor-league camp Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Moll is expected to slot into the Triple-A Reno bullpen to begin the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old lefty hasn't appeared in the majors since 2017, when he made 11 appearances out of the Oakland bullpen.

Yamamoto was stretched out to over 60 pitches in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, allowing one run on two hits and striking out two over 3.1 innings, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.

The right-hander, acquired from the Marlins in the offseason, came into camp competing for the No. 5 spot in the Mets rotation, but David Peterson remains the front-runner for that assignment. However, if Carlos Carrasco (elbow) isn't deemed ready for Opening Day, Yamamoto could still open the season in a starting role, though Joey Lucchesi is also an option. Home runs have been the biggest issue for Yamamoto in the majors -- after serving up eight in only 11.1 innings last season, he has a 1.9 HR/9 for his career -- and if he can't find a way to keep the ball in the park, he'll be fantasy poison no matter how he's deployed.

Rainey (collarbone) continues to throw bullpen sessions, and the Nationals have no timetable for his readiness to pitch in Grapefruit League games, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander is dealing with what manager Dave Martinez called a "minor" muscle strain along his right collarbone, but the team is taking no chances with Rainey and has limited him to bullpen sessions so far in camp. With Daniel Hudson and Will Harris available to handle setup duties in front of closer Brad Hand, the goal will likely be to make sure Rainey is healthy for the season rather than pushing him to get ready for Opening Day, but if he makes good progress over the next week the 28-year-old might still be able to avoid an IL stint to begin the campaign.

Bukauskas struck out three over a scoreless fifth inning in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.

Bukauskas, a starter in the minors, is being groomed as a reliever for 2021 and has excelled in four Cactus League outings. Saturday's appearance was his first during the middle of a game -- thus, facing more experienced hitters -- which is an indication of the team's growing trust in the right-hander, who has not allowed a hit, walk or run while striking out nine over four spring innings.

Quezada was optioned to minor-league camp by the Cardinals on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals in February but was unable to make the Opening Day roster with his new team. Quezada made his big-league debut with the Marlins in 2020 and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk over three innings.

Hartlieb recorded a scoreless inning Saturday against the Yankees, striking out a pair without permitting a hit or walk.

The righty, who hasn't allowed a run in three outings covering three spring innings, is likely a favorite to earn a bullpen spot. Hartlieb compiled a 3.63 ERA working relief in 2020, though he allowed 19 walks in 22.1 innings. He has yet to issue a free pass in Grapefruit League action. Most likely, he'll continue to work the middle innings in 2021.

Alvarado has looked good to start camp, retiring all nine batters he's faced thus far while striking out three.

The Phillies acquired Alvarado fairly cheaply from the Rays back in December, as he's posted a 5.08 ERA over the last two seasons while battling injuries. He's been in vintage form so far this spring, however, with his fastball touching triple digits and his conditioning looking much improved. His recent struggles mean he probably begins the year behind Archie Bradley and Hector Neris on the closer depth chart, but he could certainly add to his 15 career saves if he carries his spring success into the regular season. If the Phillies adopt a committee approach at any point this year, he should have a strong chance of picking up saves when opposing lefties are due up in the ninth inning, as both Bradley and Neris throw right-handed.

Hicks, who has been impressive in live batting practices and a "B" game appearance, will next progress to making his Grapefruit League debut at a yet-to-be-determined date, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt confirmed the right-hander's imminent spring debut Friday, and Silver notes it could unfold this weekend against either the Mets or Marlins. The eventual appearance will mark Hicks' first in official game action since June 22, 2019 following Tommy John surgery that summer and a subsequent 2020 opt-out.