MLB Player News

Rainey topped out at 92 mph with his fastball while working a scoreless inning of relief during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander made only one appearance last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but he's healthy coming into camp and looking to regain a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen. Rainey averaged 97.0 mph with his fastball in 2022 prior to going under the knife, but he said after Thursday's game he wasn't concerned about the radar gun readings. "You go back and look at my springs the past four or five years, that's probably harder than I'm usually throwing [at this point]," Rainey said. "I've started springs before at 88-89 mph. The velocity is not an issue... Hopefully from here on, it's a normal spring training, every two or three days on the mound. Being able to work on things while I'm pitching. That way come mid-late March, we're in midseason form and ready to go." Even if he returns to form, Rainey figures to open the season behind both Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey in the pecking order for saves.

Finnegan threw three sweepers at 84-85 mph among his 15 pitches during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 32-year-old right-hander has gotten solid results in his big-league career with a fastball that averaged 97.3 mph in 2023 along with a a splitter and occasional slider that both sit about 90 mph, but Finnegan worked this offseason to add something slower to his arsenal to give batters a different look. The early results Wednesday with the sweeper were encouraging, as one of them generated an awkward swing on strike three from Ceddanne Rafaela. Finnegan threw his fastball 70 percent of the time last year and that likely isn't going to change, but the sweeper could help boost a strikeout rate that sunk to a career-low 21.9 percent. After recording a career-high 28 saves in 2023, Finnegan will be in the closing mix this season for the Nationals along with Hunter Harvey and potentially Tanner Rainey.

Brash was diagnosed with medial right elbow inflammation Friday and is expected to start playing catch early next week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Recent reports indicated Brash could be dealing with a serious arm injury, but it appears to be a more minor issue that won't keep him shut down for long. Still, the right-hander is likely to begin the season on the injured list, with the Mariners expected to build him up cautiously.

Soriano will be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Soriano showed last season that he can be a high-leverage reliever, and he still may very well settle back into that role. However, he does have past experience as a starter in the minors and the Angels will give him a shot to see if he can handle it. The 25-year-old is expected to throw three innings in his next Cactus League appearance.

Beck is scheduled to undergo vascular surgery Monday to address the aneurysm in his upper right arm, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was diagnosed with the aneurysm Thursday after experiencing hand discomfort earlier in the week, and there won't be much of a delay before he goes in for surgery. Beck has already been ruled out for Opening Day, and a return timeline won't be established until after the procedure.

Dubin (shoulder) has not yet been cleared to resume a throwing program, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros initially said Dubin would be shut down for three days due to right shoulder inflammation, but he's past that mark and isn't ready to throw just yet. He probably still has time to get ready for Opening Day but will need to progress in a hurry.

Patino has reported to Padres' camp after being delayed by visa issues, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Patino landed back in his original organization via waiver claim this offseason. It's not clear whether the Padres plan to stretch him out to start or if he's pegged for a relief role. The latter would certainly be the most expedient way to get him ready for Opening Day after the delay.

Thielbar is dealing with a left hamstring strain and is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.comreports.

The left-hander's start to spring training has been slowed by the injury, but it's encouraging he's now throwing off a mound. Thielbar is scheduled for a live bullpen session next week and should then work through his standard spring buildup.

Alcala may begin the season in the minors since he has minor league options available after the Twins added several veterans to the bullpen, MLB.com reports. Alcala has thrown two scoreless innings with a strikeout and walk this spring while reaching a 96-97-mph range with his fastball.

Alcala is fully healthy after struggling with injuries the past two seasons. He threw just 17.1 innings last season with an ugly 6.23 ERA and missed more than four months with a stress fracture in his right forearm. He threw just 2.1 innings in 2022 due to an elbow injury that required season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery. He features a plus fastball but control as been a recent problem (5.2 BB/9 last season). He'll likely need to prove himself at Triple-A before becoming a part of the bullpen mix in the majors this summer.

Kranick was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Kranick will be shut down for "a while" and will begin the regular season on the injured list. A clearer picture regarding Kranick's return timeline should emerge once he resumes throwing, but the 26-year-old right-hander is officially out of the race for an Opening Day rotation spot.