MLB Player News

Fulmer has yet to allow a run across three Cactus League appearances. He's struck out three.

Fulmer has been steady so far in spring training action, and he should be able to carry that over into the regular season after posting strong numbers out of the bullpen in 2021 and 2022. The veteran righty should have a high-leverage role with the Cubs, possibly even closing out games, though Brandon Hughes and Brad Boxberger are also in the mix at the end of games. Fulmer's fantasy value would obviously increase if he's seeing regular save opportunities.

Jansen pitched a scoreless inning in Saturday's spring game against the Astros.

Jansen made quick work of the Astros in his Grapefruit League debut, setting down the side in order. Most notably, he easily beat the pitch clock on all 14 of his pitches, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Jansen is notorious for his slow pace, averaging 25.6 seconds between pitches with the bases empty and 31.4 seconds with runners on last season. He vowed the new pitch clock would not be an issue for him, saying he's been working on it since December. The right-hander noted that his slow pace was a product of the environment and throwing in high-pressurized situations. The real test for Boston's closer comes during the regular season when those high-pressure situations become the norm.

Leclerc (neck) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Leclerc appeared in two Cactus League games before succumbing to neck stiffness. Sunday's session was his first since being shut down the middle of last week.

White is a strong candidate to make his MLB debut later this season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

White recorded a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 73:17 K:BB across 67.1 innings with Double-A Erie last year, and the Tigers moved him onto the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The righty could make the jump to Triple-A this year and possibly make his MLB debut if he pitches well. White has shown an effective slider as a reliever and closed out nine games for Erie in 2022, though he likely wouldn't have a high-leverage role initially in the majors.

Pallante has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three over two innings in Grapefruit League play.

Katie Woo of The Athletic reports manager Oliver Marmol was pleased with Pallante's uptick in velocity in his second appearance. Pallante will pitch for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, and continued strong showings there should solidify his already favorable position as part of the setup mix in the Cardinals' bullpen. He pitched to a 3.17 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 73:40 K:BB across 108 innings, making 10 of his 47 appearances as a starter in 2022.

Heasley has allowed seven earned runs across four innings through two Cactus League appearances.

Heasley isn't exactly making a great case to be in the Royals' rotation to begin 2023. He struggled last year as well, logging a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 70:47 K:BB across 104 innings over 21 starts. Without significant improvement in spring games, he could be sent to Triple-A Omaha or work out of the Royals' bullpen to start the campaign.

Winckowski allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four over three scoreless relief innings in Saturday's spring game against Houston.

As the injuries to projected rotation members mount, Winckowski's chances of being part of the rotation early in the season improve. Brayan Bello (forearm), James Paxton (hamstring) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) are in various stages of recovery and could miss Opening Day. If all or any of the projected starters aren't ready for the early April turns of the rotation, Winckowski, Tanner Houck or Kutter Crawford could be part of the starting staff initially. The Red Sox have a couple of off days within the first nine days of the season and could get by with four starters until April 13.

Pivetta allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Astros.

Pivetta, who was making his Grapefruit League debut after being delayed due to illness, needed 43 pitches to get five outs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe that Pivetta's curveball and fastball were good but location was an issue. Pivetta will be part of the team's rotation, likely slotting in third behind Chris Sale and Corey Kluber.

Jarvis made adjustments to his delivery during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Specifically, Jarvis is getting more extension on his fastball, which averaged 5.2 feet of extension last season, one of the lowest marks in organized baseball (average is 6.3 feet). That means his fastball has farther to travel to home plate than that of the average pitcher, giving hitters more time to react. He possesses a 95 mph heater, but it was hit hard in 2022, and the right-hander believes it was due to his short extension. He reached 5.8 feet last week and has reached 6.1 to 6.3 feet of range in mound sessions this spring. Jarvis is also working on better pitch deception so that hitters have less time to adjust to what he's throwing. The first-round pick in 2020 posted an 8.27 ERA and gave up 27 home runs (2.3 HR/9) over 25 starts (106.2 IP) at Double-A Amarillo in 2022. The results this spring are encouraging, as Jarvis has allowed one run on four hits while striking out three batters over four innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) hasn't yet thrown to live hitters this spring, though Angels manager Phil Nevin hasn't ruled him out for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez last saw big-league action in 2021. He underwent shoulder surgery in November of that year and missed all of last season after suffering a setback while working through a throwing program. Nevin indicated that Rodriguez could see Cactus League action in "the middle of spring," and the right-hander tossed a bullpen session Friday, so he's behind the Angels' other pitchers but still in the mix for the Opening Day roster. If he does make the team, it's uncertain if it would be as a reliever or as a starter.