MLB Player News

Lopez threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Tuesday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. It was his first outing since throwing three scoreless innings in three games for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Lopez has looked sharp this spring between the WBC and Grapefruit League action (three scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one walk). Twins manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't given any indications about how he plans to use his bullpen this spring, but Lopez figures to be in the mix for saves. While Jhoan Duran may be the best reliever, Baldelli usually runs his bullpen with disregard for the save statistic. Duran may be used in high-leverage matchups with Lopez pitching the ninth inning, for example. Griffin Jax and Jorge Alcala could also figure into the mix to finish games. Lopez struggled with a 4.37 ERA and just a 18:14 K:BB in 22.2 innings after his trade to Minnesota, so it's encouraging to see him have a strong spring.

Topa owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across six innings in six Cactus League appearances.

The big right-hander is an intriguing reclamation project of sorts for the Mariners after previously having undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries and finishing last season with the Brewers on the injured list with an ankle contusion. Topa has appeared healthy this spring while working an inning apiece in each of his six appearances out of the bullpen. He projects for a low-leverage role to open the season, which will limit his fantasy appeal overall.

With Michael Lorenzen (groin) uncertain to make his final Grapefruit League start, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Brieske could be an option to fill the fifth rotation spot to begin the regular season.

Lorenzen is projected to be the team's regular No. 5 starter, but his groin strain has his status up in the air heading into the regular season. The Tigers are lined up to use their fifth starter April 4 against Houston, so Brieske or Joey Wentz may be needed if Lorenzen can't go. Brieske made 15 starts for Detroit last year and compiled a 4.19 ERA across 81.2 innings.

Alzolay is slated to start Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs have said Alzolay is exclusively being viewed as a reliever this spring, but he's set to start his first Cactus League contest Wednesday. The righty likely won't work too deep into the game and the outing may resemble a multi-inning relief appearance, which could be Alzolay's typical usage this year. Alzolay made only six appearances last season due to a lat strain, all of which came out of the bullpen, but he did start 21 games back in 2021.

Valdez was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Valdez pitched in one inning for the Halos last season, allowing a run on two hits, but he spent most of his time with Triple-A Salt Lake. The 38-year-old reliever will likely return to Salt Lake for the 2023 campaign but could rejoin Los Angeles if the Angels' bullpen depth is tested during the season.

Rosenberg was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Rosenberg cracked the majors for the first time in his career last season, allowing five earned runs over 10.2 innings while striking out eight batters. He performed well in Triple-A last season (3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) and is having a very good spring, so there is a chance Rosenberg can work his way back into the Angels' bullpen if he maintains his current pace.

Devenski was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Devenski was signed to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training with the hope that he could make the Angels as a middle-innings option. He comes up short in that goal, and now is likely going to be a relief option for Triple-A Salt Lake to begin 2023. There's a chance he could join Los Angeles and its pitching staff in the early months if he pitches well, but the Angels would have to add Devenski to their 40-man roster in order for him to pitch in the majors.

Weiss was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Angels on Tuesday.

Weiss did not pitch well in his Cactus League contests with a 15.75 ERA over four appearances in four innings. The right-hander will head to Salt Lake to begin 2023, but he could be an option for the Angels at some point before the end of the year as a middle-innings option.

Silseth was optioned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Silseth struggled in the majors last season after getting called up from Double-A, logging a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 28.2 innings. The 22-year-old righty will most likely start the season with Triple-A Salt Lake but could return to the big leagues if he performs well enough there.

Mears was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque by the Rockies on Tuesday.

Mears was claimed off waivers by the Rockies from the Rangers in January. The right-hander turned in a 1.27 ERA in seven innings during Cactus League play with 11 strikeouts, but he also walked six while allowing four hits in those contests. Mears will likely be an up-and-down option for the Colorado bullpen through the 2023 season.