MLB Player News

Manager Pete Mackanin said that Hernandez's guaranteed contract gives him an edge in the competition for the Phillies' closer role this spring, the team's official site reports.

Hernandez is one of two relievers the Phillies have in camp on a guaranteed contract. He was signed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract in the offseason. He will be competing with Luis Garcia, Ernesto Frieri, Edward Mujica, and Andrew Bailey for the closing gig.

Waldron (shoulder impingement) has been shut down indefinitely, Barry Bloom of MLB.com reports.

Waldron was shut down for his scheduled bullpen session Saturday due to a shoulder issue, and now it has been announced that the 26-year-old right-hander is dealing with a shoulder impingement. He will be on the shelf indefinitely, which almost assuredly negates his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

Manager Craig Counsell announced Sunday that Smith will compete with Jeremy Jeffress in spring training for the Brewers' closer role, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Smith dominated opponents early in the season, posting a 1.87 ERA and accumulating 44 strikeouts over 33.2 innings prior to the 2015 All-Star break. He wore down a bit in the second half, but the strikeout totals (47 over 29.2 innings) remained. The fact that he's left-handed actually works as a bit of a disadvantage for his chances of becoming the closer, but he certainly has the stuff to earn the role. Even if Smith does take the job out of camp, the Brewers figure to be among the league's worst teams in 2016, which could limit his save opportunities.

The Padres are not yet ready to allow Rodney (hamstring) to throw a bullpen session, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.

Rodney appears eager to get back to the mound, but the Padres continue to take a conservative approach with the 38-year-old. He remains the favorite to lock down the closer's role in San Diego, so manager Andy Green doesn't seem keen to push the veteran too much, too early in an effort to preserve his longevity.

Waldron did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Saturday due to a setback with his shoulder, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Waldron joined the Cardinals organization last season, making 46 appearances at Triple-A Memphis and finishing the season with a 4.74 ERA and a mere 4.7 K/9 mark. He has apparently aggravated a shoulder injury and will miss at least Saturday's bullpen session. As a non-roster invitee, setbacks such as Saturday's could hurt his chances at sticking in the Cardinals' major league camp.

Coleman signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers, Devan Fink of CoverThoseBases.com reports.

Coleman was excellent in 64 innings in Triple-A in the Royals system last year, as he posted a 1.69 ERA and 8.9 K/9 in 64 innings. He has a 3.20 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 177.1 major league innings and will likely serve a middle relief role for the Dodgers.

Iglesias will get a late start to spring training games, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds said that there wasn't an injury involved, but rather that he began his winter throwing program late.

Ottavino has been put on the 60-day DL, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

This move followed the Rockies' claim of Tony Wolters off of waivers. The 30-year-old is recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day DL is not much of a surprise. He threw 10.3 shutout innings for Colorado in 2015 and has a career 3.88 ERA. The Rockies expect him to be back around mid-season.

Rodney (leg) estimates that his left hamstring is at 85 percent strength, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rodney hurt his leg during the Caribbean Series, shortly after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Padres. He'll likely be a bit behind San Diego's healthy pitchers during spring training, but this doesn't sound like an issue that will threaten his Opening Day availability. Rodney and Kevin Quackenbush are expected to compete for the closer's role.

Reds manager Bryan Price said the team will "look hard" at Stephenson for a rotation spot this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The soon-to-be 23-year-old has shown a continued ability to miss bats in the upper levels of the minor leagues, including 51 punchouts in 55.2 innings over 11 starts at Triple-A Louisville last season. Control continues to be Stephenson's bugaboo, and the hard-throwing right-hander remains a candidate to shift into the bullpen for a late-inning role if he is unable to scale back on the free passes in the near future. Given the Reds' current rebuilding situation, it makes sense to continue developing him as a starter for the time being.