MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Kahnle (biceps) should resume throwing in a few days after receiving a cortisone injection Tuesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Kahnle should still miss at least a few weeks to begin the regular season, as biceps tendinitis has prevented him from progressing in his throwing program. Assuming he returns to full health, the veteran right-hander should see some high-leverage opportunities this season in his second stint with the Yankees.

Banda is the only healthy left-handed reliever left in the Nationals' big-league camp and figures to be part of the Opening Day bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old journeyman pitched for three different teams in 2022 with poor results, but Banda has struck out 12 batters in 9.1 innings this spring without allowing a homer. The Nats have gone without a southpaw in their bullpen in the past, so his spot is far from secure; however, if he does break camp on the 26-man roster, Banda figures to work in middle relief rather than seeing consistent high-leverage action.

Ward remains in the mix to break camp as part of the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Ward would have to be offered back to the Red Sox if he doesn't make the roster, giving the Nats extra incentive to find room for him. The 26-year-old right-hander hasn't been a reliever since college and the adjustment to the bullpen this spring hasn't exactly been smooth -- seven of his eight Grapefruit League appearances have been scoreless, but his 11:6 K:BB through 8.2 innings highlights both his upside and his inconsistency. Ward's future might still lie in the rotation, but if he sticks in Washington, expect him to be used primarily as a low-leverage long reliever to begin his big-league career.

Harris could break camp in the big-league bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander has yet to make his MLB debut, but Harris has ridden his plus splitter to a 0.00 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across eight innings this spring. The Nationals' bullpen picture is extremely murky behind Kyle Finnegan, so if Harris does win a spot, he could work his way into high-leverage spots fairly quickly. Even if he begins the season with Triple-A Rochester, he could be one of the first arms called up when the Nats' bullpen needs reinforcements.

Krehbiel has pitched 4.2 scoreless innings over his last five Grapefruit League outings.

Krehbiel also has a 6:1 K:BB in that span. The right-hander was a solid part of the Orioles' strong bullpen last season, but he was torched for eight runs over his first two appearances this spring. Now that he's back on track, he should remain in contention for the Opening Day roster, though the Orioles still have a lot of trimming to do to their pitching staff.

Bummer (lat) is scheduled to appear in Friday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Bummer will be making his Cactus League debut against Oakland after missing the start of spring training with soreness in his right lat. The right-hander isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster because of how much time he'll have missed, but his stint on the injured list would likely be short if he isn't available for the start of the season. Bummer could be in line for save chances for the White Sox at some point in 2023 with no defined closer for Chicago to begin the campaign.

Phillips is expected to be utilized by the Dodgers "in the most important situations" this season, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

That will equate to save situations on occasion but also earlier in games in a "fireman" role. The Dodgers do not plan on having a set closer to begin the season, but Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has written that Brusdar Graterol and Daniel Hudson (knee) -- once healthy -- have the best shot to emerge at closer if the team eventually lands on one guy. The news hinders Phillips' outlook a bit for fantasy purposes, but it's a bullpen situation that's far from settled.

Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to start and cover two innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After a three-week layoff from Cactus League action while he managed a groin strain, Yarbrough returned to the Royals' pitching schedule Sunday, working out of the bullpen to toss a scoreless inning in a 13-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. He'll increase his workload by another inning Wednesday, but Yarbrough still doesn't look as though he'll be on pace to handle a traditional starter's workload by the time Opening Day arrives. If his appearance Wednesday goes well, Yarbrough would likely then be cleared for one final 3-to-4-inning outing this spring, which should be enough for him to be a piggyback option or primary pitcher out of the bullpen when his first turn through the regular-season rotation comes up.

White (shoulder) is aiming for 45 pitches during Wednesday's minor-league appearance, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

It's a little more clarity after it was announced Monday that White would throw around 50 pitches over three innings. The right-hander has yet to be able to make an appearance during the Grapefruit League because of a right shoulder impingement, but that could change if Wednesday's outing goes well. White isn't expected to begin the season in the Toronto rotation, but he does have a chance to make starts for the Blue Jays before 2023 comes to a close.

Moran threw a scoreless inning with two walks in Tuesday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. He's thrown four scoreless innings with four walks this spring. Moran reached 98 mph on the radar gun while pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, MLB.com reports.

Moran gave up one earned run with five strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings in the WBC. Moran improved in his second season in the majors to become an impact reliever in the Minnesota bullpen due to his strikeout rate (32.9% in 2022). A big part of his success last season was due to improving his control (allowing just a 11% walk rate from 18.4% in 2021). His six walks in 6.2 innings between the two teams this spring is thus a concern. However, he's set to begin the season as a second lefty setup man in the Minnesota bullpen.