MLB Player News

Edgin (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Edgin continues to progress nicely from the operation and appears to still be in line for a return around the beginning of May.

Grace was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Grace was one of three players optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, joining Wilmer Difo and Taylor Jordan. In two appearances this spring, Grace struck out four batters across 2.0 innings of work. He'll continue his spring in the Nationals' minor league camp.

Iglesias will toss a bullpen session Friday and is scheduled to start Monday's spring game against the Angels, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

A shoulder-conditioning program has left Iglesias a bit behind in spring training, but he's progressing nicely and should have no problem being ready in time for Opening Day.

Hernandez (triceps) said he could be ready to pitch off a mound in the next day or two, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hernandez said he should still be ready for Opening Day despite not pitching since March 1 due to triceps tendinitis. He is expected to open the year as the Phillies' closer if healthy.

Rusin (finger) was able to play catch Wednesday, marking his first such activity in six days, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

Rusin has tended to inflammation in his left middle finger for about a week, forcing the southpaw off the mound for a scheduled Cactus League start last Friday. It remains to be seen when he'll be ready for game action, but as long as he avoids a setback, he should resume the drive for one of the Rockies' final rotation spots in short order.

Hernandez (triceps) is expected to throw a side session Wednesday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hernandez has not pitched in a game since March 1 due to soreness in his right triceps. The Phillies are saying the injury is not serious. If Hernandez is healthy, he will likely open the year as the Phillies' closer. If he is not, it creates an opportunity for Luis Garcia, Ernesto Frieri, Edward Mujica, and Andrew Bailey.

Rodney (hamstring) is set to make his spring training debut Friday against the White Sox, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

Rodney has been brought along slowly this spring while he rehabs a left hamstring injury, but the veteran reliever has progressed to the point where he'll be ready for game action on Friday. According to Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune, Rodney was able to log a live batting practice on Tuesday without any issues. He is currently the favorite to open the year as the Padres' closer.

Hernandez has right triceps tendinitis, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It had previously been reported that Hernandez may have been dealing with an elbow issue, but the current diagnosis appears more minor and the club is deeming it just a day-to-day situation. If that's the case, the team's likely closer should be ready to go for Opening Day if he's able to get back on the field without missing extended time.

Iglesias threw 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Iglesias got a late start to the spring after completing a shoulder-conditioning program over the offseason, but he appears to still be progressing well and plans to make his spring debut next Monday. The 25-year-old remains on track to be ready by Opening Day and should slot in toward the front end of the Cincinnati rotation.

Hernandez has been held out since March 1 with a tender elbow, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Elbow issues are always a concern for pitchers, but Hernandez has been downplaying the situation and said as recently as Sunday that he wasn't experiencing any physical ailments. The 30-year-old appears to be the favorite to win the closer job out of the spring, but it's worth monitoring the situation to see if the outlook becomes more serious.