MLB Player News

Vespi (abdomen) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and appears set to advance to facing hitters next week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vespi mixed in all of his pitches during Friday's bullpen session. "I'm right where I need to be," he said. "Everything feels great. My arm feels great, my body feels great. I'm ready to go." Despite the delayed start this year, Vespi is still in contention for a bullpen spot, as he should have at least a couple of Grapefruit League appearances before the regular season begins. It'll likely come down to his performance in those games that determines if he begins the campaign with the Orioles or at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Rockies placed Kinley (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

July 2022 elbow surgery was already expected to sideline Kinley for the start of 2023. With a stellar 0.75 ERA and 10 holds in 24 innings last season, the righty showed he absolutely belongs in the Rockies' bullpen this year once healthy. The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for reliever Brad Hand, whom Colorado signed Saturday.

Mantiply allowed one run and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's spring game against the Mariners.

Mantiply hasn't allowed a run over two Cactus League outings. With Arizona's closer situation described as "fluid" by manager Torey Lovullo, Mantiply is part of crew that could get late-inning work. Mark Melancon is likely the frontrunner, but he was roughed up in his spring debut, which focuses speculation about Mantiply, Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin. Mantiply had a strong season in 2022, sporting a 2.85 ERA and 22 holds; however, he blew six of eight save opportunities, as Lovullo auditioned several arms when Melancon lost control of the job.

The Rockies signed Hand to a one-year, $2 million contract Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Hand, coming off a 45-inning, 2.80-ERA campaign with the Phillies, finally has a home for the 2023 season. The Rockies don't project to win many games, but the left-hander could have some opportunities for holds and/or saves. It's unclear how built-up Hand is, or whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. The contract includes a $7 million club option for 2024.

Yarbrough is nursing a "slight" groin strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander will throw a bullpen Sunday and, if it goes well, he should be back in action shortly. Yarbrough is looking to begin his Royals tenure on a good note after posting a pedestrian 4.50 ERA in 80 innings for the Rays last season.

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Saturday.

Houston declined Smith's $13 million club option for 2023 after the lefty posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and five saves over 65 appearances last season. Smith surpassed 30 saves in 2019 and 2021 with San Francisco and Atlanta, respectively, and could close in Texas with Jose Leclerc (neck) banged up. Smith is expected to join the team right away Saturday.

Melancon allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two over one inning in Friday's spring game against Seattle.

Melancon made his spring debut in the fourth inning and was immediately tagged for a single and a home run. After a strikeout, the next four hitters reached base before he finished out the inning. Melancon operated as the team's closer to start 2022 before losing the job then reclaiming it again late. He'll be part of the late-game mix in 2023, although manager Torey Lovullo has said the closer role will be fluid.

The Twins optioned Balazovic (jaw) to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

It's the first cut out of Twins camp, and it comes after Balazovic suffered a broken jaw during an altercation at a Fort Myers bar Feb. 11. The 24-year-old former top prospect struggled to a 7.39 ERA over 70.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022, and he had yet to appear in any Grapefruit League games this spring.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez expressed concern Friday about Edwards' dip in velocity, Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports.

Edwards said he feels fine, but all of his pitches have been down at least a couple of ticks. Maybe that's just part of a routine spring-training buildup, but Martinez told reporters that the situation would be reevaluated Saturday. Edwards was knocked around for four earned runs while recording only one out Friday in a Grapefruit League appearance against the Mets.

Brebbia allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in one inning versus Arizona on Wednesday.

Per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Brebbia was having trouble with his timing while focusing on the pitch clock, and pitching coach Andrew Bailey suggested Brebbia simply step off the rubber despite the rules limiting pitchers to two disengagements per batter. The right-hander doesn't appear to have an issue with his pace, but adjusting to the new rules is something he'll have to work out in the spring. He was a versatile option for the Giants last season, making 11 of his 76 appearances as an opener while logging a 3.18 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB over 68 innings. He went 6-2 and added 18 holds and four blown saves, so he should be a lock to be in the setup mix ahead of closer Camilo Doval.