MLB Player News

Ferrer could open the season in the Nationals' bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 23-year-old left-hander has yet to pitch above Double-A, but Ferrer was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and has a 3:1 K:BB through 3.2 spring innings while seeing work early in Grapefruit League games in order to face big-league hitters. The Nationals don't have many healthy lefty relief options left in camp -- Ferrer's current competition is down to journeyman Anthony Banda and fellow relief prospect Matt Cronin -- and while Sean Doolittle (elbow) should be in the mix at some point, Ferrer seems as though he's done enough in camp to win a spot. He offers a fastball that's touched 97 mph along with a changeup and slider, and with Kyle Finnegan potentially headed for a high-leverage fireman role rather than being locked into the ninth inning as a traditional closer, whoever Washington's top bullpen lefty is could see some matchup-dependent save opportunities.

Edwards could see save chances if Kyle Finnegan gets shifted into a fireman role rather than being used as a traditional closer, Bobby Blanco of MASN reports.

Finnegan still seems likely to see the majority of save chances for the Nationals this season, but there could be saves up for grabs if the right-hander gets the call earlier in games in tight situations. Edwards would be just one of many candidates who could benefit, with Hunter Harvey, Alex Colome, Sean Doolittle (elbow) and Mason Thompson also in the mix depending on matchups and performance. Edwards' reduced velocity was a concern early in camp, but he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two Grapefruit League appearances while posting a 3:0 K:BB. The 31-year-old had a solid 2022 campaign in a setup role for the Nats, recording double-digit holds for the first time since 2018.

The Rays selected Kelley's contract Wednesday and added him to their 40-man roster.

Kelley joined Tampa Bay on a minor-league deal in January and had been in line to have his contract selected shortly before spring training, but the Rays later rescinded the transaction. One month later, Kelley will now officially get a spot on the 40-man roster since Wednesday marked the first day that MLB teams can select the contracts of non-roster invitees. Kelley has a minor-league option remaining, so the Rays' decision to select his contract doesn't guarantee that he'll break camp as a member of the big club's Opening Day bullpen.

Colome could see save chances if Kyle Finnegan gets shifted into a fireman role rather than being used as a traditional closer, Bobby Blanco of MASN reports.

Finnegan still seems likely to see the majority of save chances for the Nationals this season, but there could be saves up for grabs if the right-hander gets the call earlier in games in tight situations. Colome would be just one of many candidates who could benefit, with Hunter Harvey, Sean Doolittle (elbow), Carl Edwards and Mason Thompson also in the mix depending on matchups and performance. Colome has 159 career saves and has the most ninth-inning experience of anyone in the Nats' bullpen, and while his numbers in 2022 with the Rockies weren't pretty, the 34-year-old right-hander did record 17 saves for the Twins in 2021, albeit with a 4.15 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and weak 20.0 percent strikeout rate.

Kittredge was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Rays on Tuesday as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Trevor Kelley. Kittredge will miss at least the first half of the season following last June's Tommy John surgery.

Harvey remains behind Kyle Finnegan in the Nationals' bullpen pecking order for now, but he could see save chances if Finnegan gets shifted into a fireman role rather than being used as a traditional closer, Bobby Blanco of MASN reports.

Finnegan still seems likely to see the majority of save chances for the Nationals this season, but there could be saves up for grabs if the right-hander gets the call earlier in games in tight situations. Harvey would be just one of many candidates who could benefit, with Alex Colome, Sean Doolittle (elbow), Carl Edwards and Mason Thompson also in the mix depending on matchups and performance. Harvey's arm talent has never been in question, only his ability to stay healthy enough to show it, but after posting a career-high 39.1 innings in 2022 with a 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 28.7 percent strikeout rate, he's looked good this spring and seems ready for a consistent high-leverage role.

Thompson could see high-leverage work for the Nationals this season, potentially even in the ninth inning with manager Dave Martinez suggesting he'll use Kyle Finnegan as a fireman and not a traditional closer, Bobby Blanco of MASN reports.

Finnegan still seems likely to see the majority of save chances for the Nationals this season, but there could be saves up for grabs if the right-hander gets the call earlier in games in tight situations. Thompson would be just one of many candidates who could benefit, with Hunter Harvey, Alex Colome, Sean Doolittle (elbow) and Carl Edwards also in the mix depending on matchups and performance. Thompson hasn't hurt his chances this spring, posting a 3:0 K:BB through 3.1 innings, but he'll need to up his strikeout rate to become a key member of the Nats bullpen after managing just a 15:9 K:BB through 24.2 big-league innings in 2022.

Finnegan was told early in the spring by manager Dave Martinez that he could be used in more of a fireman role rather than being limited to the ninth inning, Bobby Blanco of MASN reports.

"I talked to [Finnegan] already and I told him, 'Hey, look, there's gonna be days where you close. There's gonna be days where I feel like the eighth inning is where we need you the most,'" Martinez said in early March. "His response was, 'Hey, whenever you need me, I'll be ready.' I love that about him." Finnegan has collected 11 saves in each of the last two seasons and remains the most likely Washington reliever to crack double digits in 2023, but other options like Alex Colome, Hunter Harvey, Carl Edwards, Sean Doolittle (elbow) and Mason Thompson could also find themselves in the closer mix depending on matchups and performance.

Waites (lat) will throw live batting practice Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Waites has already been ruled out for Opening Day because of a strained right lat, but he's progressing and might not miss too much time. The right-hander is expected to appear in some Cactus League games before spring training concludes.

Yarbrough (groin) is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Though Yarbrough hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since Feb. 27 while managing what the team has labeled as a minor groin strain, he'll be able to build up his pitch count Wednesday on the back fields at Royals camp. Assuming his groin checks out fine Wednesday, Yarbrough should have one or two more chances to pitch this spring as he looks to stake his claim to a spot in the Royals' Opening Day rotation. It's unclear if Kansas City has plans to deploy Yarbrough as as a traditional starter or as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, with the latter role being one he became accustomed to over his past five seasons with Tampa Bay.