MLB Player News

Gott is expected to be a factor in high-leverage, late-inning situations in 2020, but Giants manager Gabe Kapler isn't likely to define roles for any of his relievers prior to Opening Day, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. "We don't really have the personnel with the track record where we could just slot guys into roles," Kapler said. "Outside of [Tony Watson], and Watty is still working himself into shape, we don't have a long track record of success, a long track record of guys being in one role in our bullpen. I think roles will define themselves as performance happens in-season at the major-league level."

During his time as Philadelphia's manager, Kapler was similarly reluctant to set roles for his top late-inning options, so it's no surprise he's planning to take a similar approach with a Giants bullpen that's lacking in proven options. That reality makes it difficult to bank on any one Giants pitcher being the top option for saves, but when handicapping the closer situation, Pavlovic suggests that Gott is an "easy third answer" behind Tony Watson and Tyler Rogers. A former college closer, Gott already boasts ninth-inning experience, and he was generally one of the Giants' more dominant bullpen arms in 2019, posting an 18.7 K-BB% while doing a good job of keeping the ball in the yard (0.7 HR/9). The Giants have had Gott stretch out during both spring training and summer camp, suggesting that he could be groomed for a potential multi-inning role that might give him some value as a ratio stabilizer even if he's not getting save opportunities.

Abbott was added to Chicago's 60-man player pool Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Abbott will report to the team's alternate camp site in South Bend, Indiana, where he'll continue his development after spending the entire 2019 season with Double-A Tennessee. Across 26 starts with the Smokies last season, Abbott posted a 3.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 166:52 K:BB in 146.2 innings.

Miller was added to Chicago's 60-man player pool Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Miller will report to the team's alternate camp site in South Bend, Indiana. The right-hander notched a 2.56 ERA across 15 starts with Double-A Tennessee in 2019 but struggled following a promotion to Triple-A Iowa, posting a 7.58 ERA in 11 starts.

The Cardinals assigned Thompson to their alternate training site in Springfield on Thursday.

Though he's one of the top pitching prospects in the organization, Thompson hasn't pitched above the High-A level and was considered a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster. The Cardinals remain committed to developing Thompson as a starter, but he's most likely to work as a reliever if he makes his big-league debut in 2020.

Bowman threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday after missing the start of summer camp with elbow soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Bowman already had an uphill battle to make the team for Opening Day, even with the expanded rosters. This elbow problem probably keeps him on the taxi squad once the season begins.

Jansen needed only eight pitches to retire four batters in an intrasquad game Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

In Jansen's first intrasquad appearance since joining the team at camp Sunday as he returned from COVID-19, the right-hander made swift work of four teammates, including a pair of league MVPs (Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger). Jansen picked up one strikeout in the efficient appearance, punching out Corey Seager on three pitches. Despite his late start to camp, Jansen should be ready to close games by Opening Day.

Pivetta could be on the outside looking in for the final spot in the starting rotation, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Vince Velasquez has put on a strong performance early in summer training and appears to have the upper hand with just over a week before Opening Day. Regardless, Pivetta will remain stretched out, as the protocols for any player who potentially has COVID-19 could quickly open up a spot in the rotation. Zack Wheeler is also expected to miss some time early in the season while on paternity leave, so at least some starting chances will be available.

Wingenter (elbow) has been prescribed extra rest by team doctors and won't be re-evaluated until this weekend, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Wingenter dealt with a shoulder issue in spring training but appeared to be healthy at the start of summer camp. However, he developed elbow irritation last week and was subsequently shut down. Given the timeframe of his re-evaluation and the rapidly approaching start to the regular season, it is highly unlikely that Wingenter will be part of the Opening Day bullpen.

Neris (illness) is scheduled to throw one inning during Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Neris spent time on the COVID-19 injured list earlier in the month but is back with the team and ready to make his first appearance of summer camp. Barring setbacks, the right-hander tentatively looks on track to be ready to handle closing duties for the Phillies when the abbreviated season begins next week.

Manager Gabe Kapler suggested Rogers will fill a flexible role but could see save opportunities this season, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. "He's one guy we've been very clear and upfront with. There's been extra conversations with [Rogers]," Kapler said. "We see him as a Swiss army knife, a guy who can bounce back from a two-inning stint and give us an inning the next day. ... We also see his ability to perform in a traditional reliever's role. But he's mentally equipped to handle high-leverage situations. The fastball-slider combination can play to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. We also have data over the last three years that makes us confident in that assessment."

It's hard to know what exactly to make of this quote, though it's clear Rogers is going to play a big role in the San Francisco bullpen this season. Perhaps a tell: Kapler saying Rogers is "mentally equipped" for high-leverage duty, and his mention of "data over the last three years," perhaps alluding to Rogers closing in the minors in recent seasons. The submariner got the save opportunity in Saturday's intrasquad game and allowed a walkoff hit, per Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com, and the Giants are probably not going to provide a lot of save chances in a short season. That said, it sounds like Rogers has Kapler's trust, and it's not out of the question Rogers ends up seeing the lion's share of those opportunities over Tony Watson, even if he lacks the dominance typically associated with closing.