MLB Player News

Nelson is projected to make the Opening Day roster for the Dodgers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Nelson signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Dodgers after missing all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he's struggled to throw strikes in the Cactus League with eight walks against zero strikeouts over four appearances and 2.1 innings. It's not surprising that there's some things to iron out considering how much time Nelson has missed, but the lack of strike-throwing at least puts him on the roster bubble.

Hicks has allowed four earned runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings over six Grapefruit League appearances.

Hicks' strikeout potential remains enticing, but the overall results are not where they need to be to feel confident about his ability to fill a high-leverage role. With experience as a starter, there's always the option to stretch Hicks out for long-relief duties, but the right-hander has also had success in the past as a reliever. He's little more than a late-draft dart throw in fantasy given his skill set.

Lawrence was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence was signed to a minor-league contract in January with an invite to major-league camp. The right-hander gave up four runs in eight innings over four Grapefruit League appearances, and he'll be a bullpen depth option in 2023. It's unclear if he'll work as a reliever or starter with Triple-A Buffalo after starting 37 of his 48 minor-league appearances over the last two years.

Alexander has allowed one earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings through four Cactus League appearances.

Alexander saw limited time in 2022, but he found success with a 1.04 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 17.1 innings. It's highly unlikely he repeats that over the course of a full season, but he could find some success as a middle reliever and occasional opener. The 33-year-old southpaw has amassed just 62.1 innings in the majors over the last four campaigns due to hand, forearm and shoulder injuries that have cost him large chunks of time.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Saturday that Kahnle (biceps) has been unable to resume throwing, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Kahnle is dealing with tendinitis in his right biceps, and because of soreness, the right-hander isn't able to start his throwing program. He's a lock to start the year on the injured list, and unfortunately for the Yankees' bullpen, it looks like he may not be able to join the group until the end of April at the earliest.

Sims has been shut down for a few days with a back spasm, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He had season-ending back surgery last year, yet the team says it's not related to that procedure to address a herniated disk. Either way, it sounds like Sims is could still make the Opening Day roster.

Romano struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning during Friday's split-squad game against the Phillies.

It's a bit odd to see a closer actually work the ninth in a meaningless Grapefruit League game, when the opposition's big-league hitters have generally already hit the showers, but Romano still carved up the minor-league batters he got to face. The right-hander has a 9:2 K:BB through 5.2 spring innings and looks more than ready for the regular season to begin. After recording 59 saves over the last two years with a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.20 K/9, Romano heads into 2023 as one of the most reliable closing options available to fantasy managers.

Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over four innings in two appearances this spring. Kilian will work on putting the finishing touches on his development at Triple-A while he awaits another opportunity in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.

Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Estrada is a popular speculative play for saves in draft-and-hold leagues, but it seemed likely he would open the year in the minors. He gave up one run with four strikeouts in four innings this spring after registering nine saves across the three highest levels of the minors last season en route to making his big-league debut.

Puk walked one and struck out three in a scoreless eighth inning during Friday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.

The southpaw continued an outstanding spring that has seen him post a 7:1 K:BB through three scoreless innings. Puk figures to be one of the Marlins' top high-leverage relievers this season and in the mix for saves as new manager Skip Schumaker deploys a closer committee, but the fact that Dylan Floro worked ahead of him Friday in the sixth inning -- when St. Louis still had most of its starters in the lineup -- could be a sign the right-hander remains ahead of Puk in the pecking order.