MLB Player News

Estevez and the Angels aren't concerned over his poor numbers this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

He has walked 10 batters in 3.2 innings and has a 19.64 ERA, but the veteran righty has been experimenting with new pitches and strategies at the expense of clean innings in exhibition play. Estevez has been working more up in the zone, because the numbers say he is harder to hit up there, and he's been working on a new changeup grip while attempting to throw a harder slider. Pitching coach Matt Wise said Estevez is trending in the right direction and manager Phil Nevin said he expects Estevez to get more consistent as the start of the season nears.

White (shoulder) will throw either a bullpen session or get into a spring game in the middle of next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He threw a live bullpen Thursday and the club is still determining the next step for White. Regardless, it won't be until after Tuesday's off-day that he throws again.

Smeltzer was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Smeltzer had a strong spring debut against the Astros on Feb. 27, but he proceeded to give up seven earned runs on 13 hits over 5.2 innings in his next two appearances. He is capable of serving as a spot starter and/or long reliever, but Smeltzer is not on the 40-man roster, so he could spend most or all the season at Triple-A.

Pressly is not in favor of the pitch clock that will be implemented in 2023, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly cited the fact that each pitcher is taught to work at their own pace to back his opinion, though he also didn't express concern about his ability to adjust to the new rule. He has most recently pitched in the World Baseball Classic, which does not use a pitch clock. Across three innings of Cactus League action, Pressly has allowed one earned run on five hits and a walk while striking out three across three frames.

Heasley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Friday.

Heasley struggled in the majors last season to the tune of a 5.28 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 104 frames, and his troubles have seemingly carried over into the spring (11.57 ERA, 2.29 WHIP through seven innings). He will likely need to show significant signs of improvement with Omaha before the Royals feel comfortable bringing him back onto the major-league roster.

MRI scans on Morejon's elbow came back negative Friday, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

After having to leave Sunday's contest against Oakland early with elbow soreness, Morejon's MRI results bring some good news for the 24-year-old lefty. He will be treated for elbow inflammation going forward, and there is still no official word on how much time, if any, he will miss to start the season.

Pilkington was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday.

Pilkington will begin the year in the minors after failing to secure a bid on the Opening Day staff. The southpaw will likely be an up-and-down option for Cleveland during the 2023 campaign.

Martin has been diagnosed with a right lat tendon tear, JJody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

As Jackson notes, this will cause Martin to miss months and not weeks while he recovers from the injury, and surgery cannot be ruled out at this time. The right-hander was diagnosed with shoulder soreness initially, but imaging revealed the tear. He'll begin the season on the IL, and likely won't be able to help the Diamondbacks until sometime this summer, at the very earliest.

Misiewicz has allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings across six Grapefruit League games.

That's pretty much in line with Misiewicz's experience at the major-league level over the last three years. He had a 4.34 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB over 29 innings between the Mariners and the Royals last season. If he can make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, he'd likely work as a middle reliever with little chance of competing for high-leverage assignments.

Cano struck out on in a perfect inning in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Twins.

Cano has had an uneven spring, allowing four earned runs on five hits over 2.2 innings across four appearances. The Orioles still have a lot of trimming down to do with the pitching staff, and it's unclear if Cano will fit into the Opening Day plans. He had an 11.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB across 18 innings between the Orioles and the Twins in 2022, which was his first taste of action in the big leagues.