MLB Player News

McGough has not allowed a run or a hit over 5.2 spring innings.

McGough is among the candidates to get save opportunities, although Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said he doesn't plan to have a set closer to start the season. However, any of the candidate relievers could become the primary arm to close games, and McGough is doing his part to emerge from the group with a strong spring. He talked to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic about the adjustments he made while in Japan that put him in a position to be an important piece in the bullpen. In addition to throwing more four-seam fastballs, the right-hander adjusted the grip of his splitter, which gave it more depth and helped make it a weapon to go with a low-90s fastball and slider. "He's got all the weapons, I'll tell you that right now," Diamondbacks bullpen coach Mike Fetters said. "Now, it's just a matter of execution."

Red Sox manager Alex Cora believes that Rodriguez (torso) will likely begin the season on the injured list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora said that Rodriguez will undergo imaging in the coming days, but that it's highly likely the left-hander will start the year on the shelf. The southpaw left Saturday's Grapefruit League game with right torso pain, and multiple reporters noted that he appeared to be in considerable pain. With Rodriguez out, Cora mentioned Ryan Sherriff and Oddanier Mosqueda as possibilities to open the season with Boston as southpaw bullpen options.

Smith gave up a hit and a walk while striking out three in a scoreless eighth inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Max Scherzer worked the first seven frames, so manager Buck Showalter may have been hinting at how he plans to use Smith in the regular season by deploying him in this spot. The right-hander was already set to have a fairly significant role in the Mets' bullpen this season, but the injury to Edwin Diaz (knee) bumps everyone else up a rung on the ladder. With at least one of David Robertson and Adam Ottavino moving into the ninth inning, Smith could be one of the team's primary high-leverage right-handers. The 29-year-old recorded a career-high 14 holds in 2022, but he could easily top that number this season. Smith has looked sharp this spring to boot, posting an 8:2 K:BB through five innings while giving up only one run.

Bautista will pitch Monday against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League game, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista will follow starter Kyle Bradish at some point in the contest. The right-hander got off to a late start in spring action because of shoulder and knee troubles, but he showed off his impressive fastball in his spring debut earlier in the week and looks ready to roll for the start of the season.

Megill was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Megill made 39 appearances out of the bullpen for Minnesota last season and had a 4.80 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 49:17 K:BB across 45 innings, but he won't make the Opening Day roster after he allowed eight earned runs in 6.2 frames this spring. The 29-year-old should join the big-league club at some point this season but is likely to be limited to low-leverage work.

Munoz (foot) pitched in a B game against the Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex's back fields Thursday as planned, but he's yet to make his Cactus League debut.

Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Munoz threw 18 pitches and had his fastball sitting at 97-98 mph during his outing against San Diego. However, Munoz also conceded he has some adjustments to make, noting he was "thinking too much about the pitch clock", which caused him to rush his delivery a bit. Most important, there were no reported setbacks with Munoz's surgically repaired ankle, and his next opportunity to make his official Cactus League debut comes Sunday in split-squad action against either the Rangers or White Sox.

Trivino (elbow) began throwing again Monday, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Trivino suffered a right elbow ligament strain early in spring and will begin the season on the injured list. Though he's started throwing again, the right-handed reliever is expected to be out until at least late April.

Doval has allowed one run over three appearances so far in his Cactus League appearances.

Doval has allowed four hits without issuing a walk, and has picked up four strikeouts. The right-hander is expected to serve as the closer for the Giants in 2023, and while there have been some hiccups in his short professional career, his stuff suggests he has the potential to be one of the best relievers in baseball.

Hader has yet to give up a run in his three innings of work in the Cactus League.

The left-hander has had some command issues in Arizona with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch, but he's also allowed just two hits with a pair of strikeouts. Hader had the most ups-and-downs of his career in 2022 with a 5.22 ERA between the Brewers and the Padres, but the stuff is still elite, and he should have plenty of save chances for the Padres in 2023.

Wantz remains the favorite for the final bullpen spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

There are seven relievers -- Carlos Estevez, Jimmy Herget, Jaime Barria, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Jose Quijada and Matt Moore -- who are seen as locks to break camp with the club, potentially leaving just one more bullpen spot available. Wantz appears to be the favorite for the opening, and he hasn't done anything to hurt his chances this spring, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings during which he's allowed three hits and posted a 4:2 K:BB. The biggest threat to Wantz's opportunity could be hard-throwing youngster Ben Joyce, who has opened eyes with a strong spring and a fastball that has reached 104 mph. While Joyce is the flashier pitcher, he's not currently on the 40-man roster and has yet to pitch above the Double-A level, while Wantz has two big-league seasons under his belt and was effective for the Angels in 2022, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 50.1 innings while picking up eight holds.