MLB Player News

Smith (elbow) has been throwing and is on track with his recovery from minor elbow inflammation, according to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area.

Smith had been shut down earlier this spring after he experienced some inflammation in his left elbow. It was more of a case of the Giants taking extra precaution during a longer spring training than usual rather than a sign of a serious injury. It is unclear when the Giants' left-handed setup man will make his Cactus League debut, but the team still plans on getting him in six games before the regular season kicks off.

Robles struck out two in two shutout innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 26-year-old with the career 10.0 K/9 in the majors is expected to fill a setup role for the Mets this season, which could mean regular eighth-inning duty early in the year while Jeurys Familia serves his expected suspension. Robles stands an excellent chance of topping the 13 holds he recorded in 2016, giving him value in formats that use the category.

Montero threw two perfect innings of relief in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, striking out four.

He's now struck out six batters over four shutout innings to begin his spring. Montero's role is still uncertain heading into the 2017 season, and indeed there's no guarantee he's even on the Opening Day 25-man roster, but if he continues pitching like this he could force his way into the fifth starter battle between Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo.

Manager Bud Black said that the Rockies are thinking about deploying Rusin as a starting pitcher once again, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Black did say that he knows the left-hander can act as a reliever if it's what's best for the club, but he noted that Rusin's performance as a starter Sunday against the Diamondbacks was "a snippet of what he can do." Top prospects Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez were previously considered the top two candidates for the final rotation spot, but it seems that Rusin's name has also been thrown into the ring. It's unclear who has the leg up on the spot as of now, but that should become more clear as each hurler logs more innings this spring.

Kay (elbow) recently began playing catch after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 31st overall pick is already slated to miss the entirety of the 2017 campaign, but it's good to see his rehab process is coming along without a hitch thus far. Kay's next steps will likely be to lengthen his throwing before heading back to a mound in time for 2018.

Johnson will stay in the bullpen, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After an injury-plagued 2016 campaign, the Cubs are hoping that a move to the bullpen will keep their pitching prospect healthy while also helping his fastball and breaking pitches to become sharper. Johnson struggled in his first taste of Triple-A last season, but if he can right the ship while maintaining his uptick in strikeouts from last season, he could find his way to Wrigley Field later in the season.

Sewald got the start in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, tossing two shutout innings and walking one batter.

Victor Martinez was the only one of Detroit's big bats to make the trip to St. Lucie, but this was still a nice beginning to the spring for Sewald. The 10th round pick in 2012 has done nothing but produce as a minor league closer since turning pro, including a 3.29 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 80:21 K:BB in 65.2 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016, but his lack of a big fastball (he tops out at 92 mph) have created enough doubts about his big league future that he went unclaimed in the Rule 5 draft this offseason after not being added to the Mets' 40-man roster. If he continues doing well this spring, and back in the PCL this season, he could change that perception, however.

Rodney resolved his visa issues and arrived in Diamondbacks camp, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The veteran closer is still behind the other pitchers, as he only threw his second bullpen session Sunday. However, manager Torey Lovullo was pleased with what he saw from Rodney, making it seem that the delay won't be much of an issue moving forward.

Voth gave up a hit in a shutout inning of work during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The 24-year-old is the primary competition for A.J. Cole in the battle to be the Nats' sixth starter this season, but the fact that Voth was the last pitcher out of the 'pen Sunday, while Cole got the start, suggests he's far behind in that battle. Voth should begin the season at Triple-A, but as injuries crop up in the big league rotation, he stands a good chance of making his MLB debut some time in 2017.

Mayers (1-0) fired a pair of shutout innings in Sunday's 7-4 Grapefruit League victory over the Marlins. He also recorded a strikeout.

The 25-year-old righty had a disastrous cup of coffee with the Cardinals late last season, giving up 16 earned runs on 16 hits in just 5.2 innings. However, he's put together a decent body of work over his four minor league seasons, and generated a respectable 3.73 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 89.1 innings at Triple-A Memphis last season. The right-hander is vying for a bullpen spot this spring, and Sunday's effort certainly was good initial step in that direction.