MLB Player News

Varland has allowed one hit in 3.1 innings with a 9:0 K:BB over his last three spring appearances.

Varland allowed at least one earned run in three of his first four exhibition outings, but per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, his pitches were being tipped because his PitchCom was set too loud. Since turning down the volume, the right-hander has been almost perfect. Varland was selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft from the Dodgers' organization and has never pitched above the Double-A level, but he might end up proving to be a steal. Through 7.1 spring innings in total, he's posted a 15:1 K:BB.

Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless inning in a Double-A game Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc threw on back-to-back days for the first time this spring then dismissed any concerns over his decrease in velocity. "It's the same thing every year in spring training for me," the right-hander said. "But during the season, it picks up. It will be alright." Leclerc's fastball is living in the 92-93 mph range this spring after averaging over 96 mph in 2022. He remains the leading candidate to close games for the Rangers.

Jameson allowed four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over 4.1 innings in Thursday's split-squad start against the Dodgers.

Jameson gave up three runs in the first inning, then got a ton of run support -- 10, in fact -- during the bottom half of the inning. He settled in after that, although he dealt with base runners in four of the five innings he worked. Jameson's competition for the No. 5 starter job, Ryne Nelson, pitched in the other split-squad game and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Cubs. Neither pitcher has a statistical advantage in the job battle, which looks like it will go down to the wire.

Duran threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring training loss to Toronto. Duran was hit by a line drive in his leg Sunday during a minor league game.

Duran only suffered a bruise and his leg shouldn't be an issue for Opening Day. He'll be a primary weapon in the Minnesota bullpen again in 2023, but manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't tipped his hand about his plan for the closer role this spring. While Duran may be Minnesota's best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard to the save statistic. Duran had eight saves and 18 holds with a 1.86 ERA over 67.2 innings as a rookie last year.

Alcala threw a scoreless inning during Thursday's spring training loss to Toronto to lower his spring ERA to 2.35. He's averaging 95.4 mph on tracked fastballs this spring, MLB.com reports.

After giving up two runs in his first appearance, he's thrown six scoreless innings. He has 11 strikeouts, three walks and just three hits allowed in 7.2 innings. Alcala underwent season-ending arthroscopic debridement surgery on his elbow in August but looks back to full strength this spring. He's expected to be a key setup man and could figure in the mix for saves with the Twins possibly using a committee approach.

Manager Bud Black said Monday he is not concerned with Bard's struggles during the World Baseball Classic, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.

Bard allowed eight earned runs across only 1.2 innings while pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. His inability to find the strike zone was particularly troubling -- he surrendered four free passes -- given his history of a high walk rate during his big-league career. Despite those concerns, Bard will enter the season as the Rockies' closer, though the team did bolster its bullpen with offseason additions such as Brad Hand and Pierce Johnson.

Lange, who walked a batter in a scoreless inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, now has eight free passes in six innings this spring.

Lange has also struck out eight and has limited batters to a .190 average in Grapefruit League action, so he's been pretty good when he's throwing strikes. The righty has had a BB/9 of 4.0 or higher in each of his two MLB seasons, and if that continues this year, he'll be a volatile fantasy asset. However, Lange appears to be Detroit's most likely option to begin the season as the closer, so there should be fantasy value here as long as he's converting saves.

Cleavinger is expected to secure a high-leverage role in the Rays' bullpen in 2023, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Cleavinger spent the 2022 season with both the Dodgers and Rays, though he got his most consistent chances in the major leagues with Tampa Bay. He responded by delivering a 3.91 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, while also maintaining an impressive 32:7 K:BB across 23 frames. Cleavinger isn't projected to immediately factor into the mix for saves, though he could pitch in the ninth inning when the opposition has a lefty-heavy portion of their lineup due to hit.

Thompson tossed two scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Thompson pitched multiple innings for the first time this spring, as the team has worked him in slowly to his new relief role. The righty made 17 starts last season, but it seems like the Cubs primarily plan on using him as a long reliever in 2023. That role is a less fantasy-friendly job, so Thompson is mostly off the radar for the moment.

Warren could possibly make the Angels' Opening Day roster, but he's more likely to begin the campaign in the minors, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Warren has pitched well this spring, posting a 2.25 ERA and 9:0 K:BB over eight innings. However, he lost his spot on the team's 40-man roster in January, which may hinder his ability to break camp with the club this year. Warren struggled with a 5.63 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 16 frames in the majors last season, but he was excellent as a rookie in 2021, recording a 1.77 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB over 20.1 innings.