MLB Player News

Davidson and Griffin Canning are battling for a role as the Angels' sixth starter, Adrian Garro of MLB.com reports.

The two hurlers have been battling it out throughout the spring, and Canning has put up better numbers, posting a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 13.2 innings versus Davidson's 5.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB across 17.1 frames. One thing working in Davidson's favor, however, is that he is out of minor-league options while Canning is not. Whichever pitcher wins the competition may not see action in a starting role right away, as Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday that the team is "going to take it day by day, but there's a possibility that sixth spot maybe we don't use it right off the bat ... and if we don't use him right off the bat, he's in the bullpen and provides length there," per Garro.

Joyce will open the year with Double-A Rocket City due to the way the altitude in Salt Lake impacts pitching development, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

For a pitcher who was the talk of the Angels' bullpen during spring training and didn't get reassigned until this past weekend, it would have seemed likely for Joyce to open the year at Triple-A. As Blum notes, Chase Silseth was held at Double-A last year before getting promoted to the majors, so this is a tactic the Angels like to use with young pitchers given the alternative of sending them to the Pacific Coast League. Joyce is a strong candidate to pitch his way to the majors if he stays healthy and could be the Angels' long-term closer.

Montes de Oca will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to remove bone fragments from his right elbow, Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports reports.

Dorsey hears that the 26-year-old right-hander is looking at around four months of rest and rehab "with a possible return to action in mid-August." Montes de Oca made his MLB debut in 2022 and almost certainly would have been given another shot at some point in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He spent the majority of last season in the upper minors, pitching to a 3.33 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 51.1 innings between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

Nelson will have the final spot in the Diamondbacks' bullpen to begin the 2023 season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Joe Mantiply is headed for a season-opening stint on the 15-day IL because of shoulder fatigue, and Nelson will essentially fill the vacancy. The 26-year-old left-hander registered a strong 2.19 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 37 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2022.

Mantiply will begin the season on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

While shoulder issues are always concerning for pitchers, nothing yet suggests Mantiply is dealing with a major issue. The 2022 All Star is coming off a 2.85-ERA season and should see plenty of opportunities for holds -- and maybe even saves -- once healthy.

Rodriguez (oblique) has no official timetable in place for his return, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Recent reports have said Rodriguez is already beginning to feel better after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on March 18, but he should still miss a good chunk of April. He will almost certainly be placed on the 10-day IL to start the year, which would open up a spot for Raimel Tapia to make the Opening Day roster as a backup outfielder.

Blanco has won the final bullpen spot for the Astros and will make the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Blanco will be the multi-inning option for the Astros after being stretched out to throw 40-to-50 pitches over the spring. The 29-year-old earned his spot with a 0.64 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB in 14 innings during Grapefruit League play.

Mayers was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Royals on Tuesday.

Mayers allowed eight earned runs through 14.1 innings this spring and will likely begin the season with Triple-A Omaha. The 31-year-old reliever recorded a 6.27 ERA and 1.42 in the minors last season.

Wittgren was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Royals camp.

Wittgren was in major-league camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. The 31-year-old reliever struggled to a 5.90 ERA and 17:10 K:BB in 29 innings with the Cardinals last season.

Cordero will be on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Randy Miller of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last week that Cordero was "in a good spot" to break camp with the club, and that's now been made official. The right-handed hurler has impressed this spring, posting a 4.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB over nine innings. He'll likely begin the campaign working in low-leverage situations.