MLB Player News

Vespi (abdomen) said he's scheduled to pitch in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 27-year-old underwent sports hernia surgery in early January but is now in the final stages of his rehab program. Vespi's spring debut will be a good sign for his potential availability Opening Day, though he'll likely need to show he can pitch on back-to-back days before being fully cleared. He had a 4.10 ERA across 26.1 innings during his first taste of the majors in 2022, so he's hardly guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster even when healthy.

The Angels optioned Soriano to minor-league camp Saturday.

Soriano is a member of the Angels' 40-man roster but wasn't a serious candidate to make the Opening Day club as a pitcher that hasn't advanced past Low-A so far. The right-hander will likely report to Double-A Rocket City and could help the Angels bullpen at some point down the line if he shows the ability to command his arsenal on a more consistent basis.

Ingram was optioned Saturday to minor-league camp by the Angels.

Ingram was shielded from the Rule 5 draft in the offseason. The left-hander spent the 2022 season with Double-A Rocket City, where he appeared in 50 games with a 2.67 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 73:17 K:BB over his 60.2 innings of work. Ingram will likely open the season in Triple-A, and strong results with the club will give him a chance to pitch for the big-league club before the 2023 campaign comes to an end.

Garza was optioned Saturday to minor-league camp by the Angels.

Garza signed a split contract with the Angels in December, and will open the 2023 season in the minors. The right-hander spent the 2022 season in the Cleveland organization, posting a 4.64 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP for Triple-A Columbus.

The Phillies optioned McArthur to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

The 26-year-old right-hander wasn't able to secure a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen after he was tagged for three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings across his five Grapefruit League appearances. McArthur is still awaiting his big-league debut, but the Phillies' decision to keep him on the 40-man roster over the offseason suggests the organization thinks he can become a contributor in the majors at some point in 2023.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Pomeranz (elbow) will throw to live hitters at least one more time before potentially getting into a spring-training game, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Pomeranz threw to live hitters Friday for the first time this spring, and Melvin was encouraged by the session, saying, "What I saw yesterday was great. He was averaging almost 92 [mph]. His breaking ball was spinning well. I know he felt good about it as well," per Bill Center of FriarWire. The manager added that Pomeranz will throw in a similar setting at least once more before potentially getting into a game situation. That lines up with earlier reports that the veteran reliever could open the season in the Padres' bullpen rather than on the injured list.

Alexy has been delayed by a left oblique issue this spring but could appear in a game by the end of the week, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Alexy was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in late January. In 30 innings for the Rangers over the past two seasons, he owns a 23:26 K:BB and a 6.30 ERA. He's likely ticketed to open the year in the Triple-A rotation or possibly as a long reliever at the major-league level.

Woods Richardson was optioned to minor-league camp on Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Woods Richardson made his big-league debut in October of last year but didn't seem to have a real chance to push for a rotation spot this spring. The 22-year-old will continue his development at the Triple-A level, where he recorded a 2.21 ERA over seven starts last season.

Raley (hamstring) is expected back Tuesday for the Mets, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Raley was diagnosed with a low grade left hamstring strain Saturday, and the left-hander was forced to withdraw from the American roster for the World Baseball Classic. Even if he misses a few extra days, it appears that this won't be an injury that carries into the regular season.

Danner is battling right forearm inflammation and won't throw for the next few days, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Danner's injury isn't considered serious enough to require an MRI, but it will nonetheless cost him some time this spring. Danner converted from catcher to reliever prior to the 2021 season and recorded a 2.02 ERA across 35.2 innings for High-A Vancouver that year, but injuries limited him to just four appearances last season.