MLB Player News

Speas was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Monday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Speas allowed three runs with a 3:6 K:BB over six innings this spring. Walks have always been an issue for the 26-year-old and they could prevent the 26-year-old from receiving high-leverage looks for the White Sox even as he has better stuff than most of their other relievers.

Karinchak (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a throwing progression Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Karinchak had been shut down from throwing all spring after he had been experiencing right shoulder fatigue prior to reporting to camp. Since he's projected to serve as a one-inning reliever for Cleveland once healthy, Karinchak won't require as extensive of a ramp-up program as a starting pitcher, but with Opening Day approximately two and a half weeks away, the right-hander may not be ready to go by the time the Guardians open the regular season. Provided that he navigates his throwing program free of setbacks, Karinchak should be in store for only a brief stint on the IL to begin the season if the Guardians opt not to include him on the Opening Day roster.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Hernandez (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, but Bochy is unsure whether the reliever will have enough time to prep for Opening Day, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Hernandez has been slow-played this spring after suffering a right shoulder injury during last year's postseason. He's come along without any apparent setbacks, but the hard-throwing righty might not have enough runway to show he should be in the Opening Day bullpen.

Romano walked two and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning during a split-squad game against the Orioles on Sunday.

The free passes were the first Romano had issued this spring, and through 4.1 innings over five appearances he's rung up a 6:2 K:BB. The 30-year-old is locked in as the Blue Jays' closer after posting a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons while racking up 95 saves in 106 chances.

Matzek (side) is expected to return to Grapefruit League play in the next few days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek hasn't been available for a few days while dealing with some left side soreness, but he threw a bullpen session Monday and it sounds like he's mostly over the issue. The southpaw reliever has made three scoreless appearances this spring and looks ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen after missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery.

Minter (finger) is expected to make a Grapefruit League appearance soon, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 29 because of a cut on his left index finger, but the laceration is nearly totally healed. The left-handed reliever made two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances last month and has plenty of time to ramp back up for Opening Day.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Martin (groin) has time to be ready for Opening Day, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Right groin tightness prevented Martin from throwing a scheduled live bullpen session Saturday, but he was able to play catch Sunday and looks to be in line to do so again Monday. It's not clear when he might be ready for a Grapefruit League appearance, but this seems to be something Martin should be able to recover from soon.

Kelly (oblique) will play catch Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Kelly is starting to ramp back up after suffering a left oblique injury earlier this month. The reliever thinks he can be ready in time for Opening Day, but that wouldn't seem to be a given, nor would his inclusion on the big-league roster even if he is healthy.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Mercado, whom the Phillies acquired from the Rays in November, occupies a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster but has yet to make his big-league debut. He'll likely occupy a spot in Lehigh Valley's bullpen and will look to distinguish himself with the hope of earning a call-up to the Phillies.

Junis started and threw four scoreless innings in Sunday's exhibition contest. He did not allow a hit, hit a batter and posted a 3:2 K:BB in the contest.

Junis was tagged for four earned runs over 2.0 innings in his spring debut, but the results were much better his second time out, even though only 33 of the 56 pitches he tossed were strikes. Junis will occupy a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the team, and he is pushing to break camp in the starting rotation.