MLB Player News

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Saturday that Bradford will begin the season in the starting rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 26-year-old lefty entered camp as the favorite to open the season as Texas' No. 5 starter, and his 2.45 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11 spring innings likely helped him secure the role. Bradford worked as a swingman as a rookie last season and had a 5.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB across 20 outings (eight starts) overall, though he pitched much better in his 12 relief outings with a 2.82 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP in 22.1 frames.

Otto (shoulder) had a setback early in spring camp and is expected to open the regular season on the injured list, per MLB.com.

Otto dealt with a shoulder injury last season but was expected to be among the competitors for a rotation spot for San Diego this spring. However, the right-hander suffered a setback early in camp and didn't pitch at all in Cactus League play. Manager Mike Shildt indicated March 9 that Otto is getting closer to playing catch and resuming baseball activity, but even if that happens soon, the hurler won't be ready for game action by the opening of the campaign.

Matsui struck out two batters and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against Oakland in San Diego's Cactus League finale Wednesday.

Prior to Wednesday's outing, Matsui had been sidelined from game action since late February due to back inflammation. He resumed throwing in early March and looked good in his return to Cactus League play Wednesday, and he was included on the Padres' 31-man travel roster to Korea for the season-opening set against the Dodgers that begins Wednesday. Per MLB.com, Matsui is expected to be ready for the Seoul Series, though he may be working in a setup role behind presumed closer Robert Suarez.

After yielding five earned runs and five walks over his initial 1.1 innings this spring, Joyce has since allowed two earned runs and two walks over his subsequent six frames.

Joyce is expected to be part of the Angels' bullpen on Opening Day, but there may have been some initial doubt about his readiness after he struggled to harness his control in the early portions of Cactus League play. The flamethrower has since settled down, with his most recent outing being a scoreless one-inning appearance against the Cubs on Saturday. Joyce's improved results have coincided with a lowering of his strikeout rate -- over his past five frames, he's struck out a modest three batters. Though he consistently throws a triple-digit fastball, these results may suggest that the key to Joyce's success in the majors may be him learning how to use his impressive heater to generate poor contact rather than always relying on punching batters out.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Hurt has a "very good possibility" of being a relief option for the Dodgers during the season-opening series against the Padres in South Korea, which begins Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old has prepped as a starter during spring training and is still viewed as one long term, but he could help Los Angeles in relief to begin the season. Hurt's inclusion on the roster for South Korea doesn't necessarily mean he'll retain that spot once the Dodgers return stateside, but it could give him a chance to show why he should stick in the majors.

Thielbar (hamstring) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session without issue Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Thielbar hasn't been able to run at full speed with his injury, but he hasn't had issues pitching. There's still time for him to be ready for Opening Day, but he may need to show he can pitch in a major-league spring training game in the next week.

Lambert does not need surgery on his right shoulder following a visit with Dr. Neal AlAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lambert said of the condition of his shoulder that "there's something there," but whatever he's dealing with will be treated non-surgically. There's no timetable for when the reliever might be ready to pitch in games, but it seems like it will be a while.

Castillo is day-to-day after tests on his left hand came back negative, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Castillo was struck in the hand by a comebacker during a Cactus League appearance Saturday, but he's managed to escape with just a contusion. The 28-year-old is trying to win a bullpen job as a non-roster invitee and has pitched well this spring, allowing two runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings.

The Orioles optioned Ort to minor-league camp Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Ort was acquired by the Orioles on Feb. 19 after being DFA'd by the Phillies. Ort has given up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in spring training. The right-hander will start the 2024 season in the minors.

The Orioles optioned Krook to minor-league camp Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Krook was acquired by the Orioles on Feb. 18 after being designated for assignment by the Yankees five days prior. Krook has allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 4.0 innings in spring training. He'll start 2024 in the minors and look to work his way back to the big leagues.