MLB Player News

Llovera was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Llovera had visa issues to begin spring training and didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games. He appears to be set to begin the regular season in the minors but could provide bullpen help in the majors at some point in 2021.

Hudson has made two Grapefruit League appearances so far this spring, giving up a home run in two innings without a walk or a strikeout.

The long ball remains a potential source of concern for Hudson after he served up six homers in 20.2 innings last year, but the veteran right-hander is healthy and on track to be ready for a high-leverage role Opening Day. He's picked up 16 saves for the Nats since they acquired him at the 2019 trade deadline, but the offseason addition of Brad Hand pushes Hudson back into a setup role, a job he's indicated in the past he's more comfortable with anyway. The 34-year-old has two 20-hold campaigns on his resume and could be poised to add a third in 2021.

Bard will serve as the Rockies' closer to begin the season, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Manager Bud Black unsurprisingly said Friday that Bard would handle the ninth-inning duties to begin the season after he ended the 2020 campaign in the role. Right-hander Scott Oberg could compete for save chances once he builds back up to full strength after he underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September, but Bard will have the opportunity to secure the role early in the season. Bard converted on all six of his save chances in 2020 and posted a 3.65 ERA and 27:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings.

Manager Craig Counsell said that he thinks Suter (hand) will be fine following his early exit from Friday's intrasquad scrimmage, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Suter will be evaluated again Saturday, but it appears as though he avoided a major injury after being hit on the left hand by a comebacker Friday. If he's healthy for Opening Day, Suter should serve as a swingman for Milwaukee after posting a 3.13 ERA and 38:5 K:BB over 31.2 innings last year.

Rodriguez was optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

The 24-year-old missed all of 2020 with a right biceps strain and will open 2021 at the Double-A level. Rodriguez last pitched in 2019 and posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB over 47 innings at High-A.

Suter left Friday's intrasquad scrimmage after being hit in the left arm by a comebacker, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but the 31-year-old's status should come into focus once he's been evaluated. Suter had a 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 38:5 K:BB over 31.2 innings as a swingman for the Brewers last season, and he's primed to fill a similar role in 2021.

Miller was assigned to minor-league camp Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Miller had at best an outside chance at breaking camp in the big leagues, as he did make his debut last season but threw just five innings. The Cubs expect to rotate players through their fifth starter spot, so Miller could still earn starts later this year if he looks good in the minors.

Doyle was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The 24-year-old finished last season on the big-league roster while giving up six earned runs over 2.1 innings, and he'll open 2021 in the minors. Doyle will skip Double-A after posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB over 36 innings at High-A in 2019.

Davidson was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old allowed two earned runs over 1.2 frames in his big-league debut last season but won't open 2021 in the majors. Davidson had a 2.03 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 122:45 K:BB over 110.2 innings at Double-A in 2019 before earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A.

Arano (visa issues) was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old was a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues, but he gave up four runs over two spring innings before being optioned. Arano last pitched in the majors during 2019 with 4.2 frames for the Phillies.