MLB Player News

Alexander is a candidate to open the year as the Rays' No. 5 starter due to Taj Bradley (pectoral) being ruled out for the start of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A partial lat tear ended Alexander's season in July and the Tigers decided to move on in November. The Rays claimed Alexander off waivers and may need him for important innings right away with Bradley shut down for a couple weeks. Alexander threw over 100 big-league frames for Detroit in 2021 and 2022 and has been building up for a substantial workload this spring. Jacob Lopez, Naoyuki Uwasawa, Jacob Waguespack and Chris Devenski were also mentioned as possible replacements in the starting rotation.

Waguespack is one of the candidates for the Rays' rotation while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Waguespack signed a minor-league contract with the Rays in January following a two-year stint in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. The 30-year-old has experience as a starter and a reliever and holds a 5.40 ERA and 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. Waguespack might not be stretched out enough to be used as a traditional starter, but he could perhaps work as an opener or bulk reliever.

Lopez is a candidate to open the year as the Rays' No. 5 starter due to Taj Bradley (pectoral) being ruled out for the start of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Naoyuki Uwasawa, Jacob Waguespack, Tyler Alexander and Chris Devenski were also mentioned as potential replacements. The lefty Lopez operated as a starter at Triple-A Durham last season, posting a 2.72 ERA and 87:47 K:BB over 18 starts (79.1 innings) to earn his first MLB looks over the final six weeks. He has allowed one hit and five walks in 3.1 innings so far this spring.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Chargois is scheduled to visit with a neck specialist, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Chargois' spring debut was delayed until Tuesday while he contended with neck spasms early in camp, and he apparently didn't respond as well as hoped during his one-inning appearance out of the bullpen. Once Chargois meets with a specialist, the Marlins should be able to map out a treatment plan for the reliever. If Chargois is shut down from activity for any period of time at this stage of spring training, he could be at risk of missing Opening Day.

Chargois (neck) struck out a batter and gave up one run on two hits over one inning of relief Tuesday in the Marlins' 9-1 loss to the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

Chargois made his spring debut Tuesday after he was slowed by neck spasms in the early part of camp. Though he's still behind the Marlins' other healthy relievers for the moment, Chargois should be ready to go for Opening Day once he gets a couple more Grapefruit League appearances under his belt. The right-hander posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 42.1 innings out of the Miami bullpen in 2023.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bednar (lat) will throw off a mound in the coming days, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar has progressed to 120 feet with his flat-ground throwing and is almost ready to get back on the mound as he works his way back from right lat tightness. He doesn't have much time to get ready for Opening Day, but working in his favor is the fact that as a one-inning reliever, he requires a shorter ramp-up period than others. If Bednar needs time on the injured list to begin the season, Aroldis Chapman would fill in as the Pirates' closer.

Moreta (elbow) will meet with Dr. Keith Meister next week to discuss treatment options, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Moreta is dealing with ligament damage in his right elbow and might require surgery, but that determination hasn't been made yet. Even if the rest-and-rehab route is chosen, Moreta will be sidelined for a significant period of time.

Wood allowed two earned runs on four hits over 4.1 innings in the Athletics' Cactus League win over the Mariners on Tuesday. He also hit two batters and recorded five strikeouts.

Wood built on a decent showing in a rain-shortened outing against the Guardians on Thursday, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 2.1 innings with five strikeouts. The left-hander was able to match the latter total Tuesday while upping his workload, and although his control wasn't at its sharpest, Wood appears increasingly ready to open the regular season as the Athletics' No. 4 starter.

Beeter is a candidate to claim a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day rotation if Gerrit Cole (elbow) needs to miss time, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Beeter has impressed in Grapefruit League play this spring, posting a 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB over nine innings across three outings, including two starts. In the right-hander's most recent appearance, he recorded four scoreless frames with four strikeouts against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Cole has already undergone an MRI and is slated for additional testing on his pitching elbow, and manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Monday that the ace is unlikely to be ready for the start of the campaign, per Erik Boland of Newsday. Along with Beeter, fellow youngsters Will Warren and Luis Gil are candidates to fill in for Cole if he does indeed need to miss time, although Warren isn't on the 40-man roster.

Thompson, who logged a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, has yet to allow a run this spring.

Thompson has only tossed three innings across three Cactus League appearances, so it's a small sample size, but he's looked good so far. After making 17 starts for the Cubs in 2022, the righty worked entirely in relief last season, and he struggled with a 4.71 ERA across 28.2 innings. Now that Thompson has settled in a bit more as a reliever, he'll look for better results in 2024, though it likely will be in a lower-leverage role.