MLB Player News

Rockies manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Bird is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks due to a left oblique strain, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Since the Rockies are scheduled to begin their season March 30 in San Diego, Black acknowledged that "it will be close" for Bird to make a full recovery from the injury in time for Opening Day. Even if Bird's recovery from the oblique injury veers closer to the short end of the timetable, he may not have sufficient time to complete a throwing progression in advance of the regular season. As a rookie last season, Bird made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen and logged a 4.91 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 47.2 innings.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Pint is dealing with a mild oblique strain, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Pint apparently sustained the injury during a workout Tuesday, though because the right-hander was able to finish the session despite some discomfort, Black is hopeful he won't miss too much time during camp. Pint was added to the Rockies' 40-man roster over the winter, but since he's made just three career appearances above the Double-A level, he doesn't appear to be a serious candidate to make Colorado's Opening Day roster even if he quickly moves past the injury.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Pivetta (illness) won't pitch for the Canadian team during the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Pivetta contracted COVID-19 last week, and while he reported back to camp Tuesday and completed a throwing session, he hasn't bounced back from the illness quite as swiftly as he had hoped. Since he apparently wasn't convinced that he would be in top form by the time Canada begins playing in games, Pivetta will instead stick around at Red Sox camp and advance through a throwing program at a more comfortable pace. Though Pivetta's slow recovery from the illness is expected to delay his entry into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule, he still looks like a good bet to get built up in time for Opening Day.

Shaw agreed Wednesday with the White Sox on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 35-year-old right-hander brings a wealth of experience to the table and logged an MLB-leading 81 relief appearances for Cleveland as recently as 2021, but he took a major step back in his final season with the Guardians. Over 58.1 innings in the big leagues, Shaw mustered a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 52:26 K:BB before the Guardians removed him from the 40-man roster in the last week of the regular season. He'll need to show improved form in spring training in order to secure a spot in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen.

Updating a previous report, Hudson (knee/ankle) isn't scheduled to pitch in the Dodgers' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Brewers, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh had previously reported that Hudson was scheduled to appear in relief behind starter Michael Grove, but instead, non-roster invitee Bryan Hudson is the Hudson in question who will work out of the bullpen. Daniel Hudson missed the final four months of the 2022 season after undergoing surgery in late June to address a torn ACL in his left knee, so the Dodgers may prefer to take a cautious approach with his usage this spring, especially after he dealt with right ankle tendinitis before reporting to camp. The Dodgers haven't suggested that Hudson is dramatically behind the team's other relief candidates, so the 35-year-old right-hander still seemingly has a good chance of securing a spot on the Opening Day roster. He should be in the mix for a high-leverage role after notching five saves and nine holds while delivering a 2.22 ERA and 30:5 K:BB across 24.1 innings in his injury-shortened 2022 campaign.

Hudson (knee/ankle) is expected to make an appearance in relief in Saturday's Cactus League opener versus the Brewers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Before suffering an ACL tear of his left knee in late June and undergoing season-ending surgery, Hudson had settled into a key role in the late innings for the Dodgers, as he concluded the campaign with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB in 24.1 innings while bagging five saves and nine holds. The fact that he's already on track to appear in relief in the Dodgers' spring opener suggests that Hudson is well on his way to being included on the Opening Day roster, even though he experienced some tendinitis in his right ankle earlier in camp in addition to making his return from the ACL tear. Manager Dave Roberts has yet to name a closer for the start of the season and could take a committee approach to the ninth inning, but expect Hudson to be a factor in some capacity so long as he steers clear of any setbacks with his knee.

Staumont (biceps) is among the Royals relievers who is expected to pitch in Friday's Cactus League opener versus the Rangers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont spent the final six weeks of the 2022 season on the injured list with right biceps tendinitis, but he looks to be back to full strength for spring training and should open the upcoming campaign in a high-leverage relief role for Kansas City. Though he's picked up eight saves across the past two years and owns a career 26.1 percent strikeout rate in the majors, Staumont will face a tougher path to the closing gig in 2023 now that the Royals have added Aroldis Chapman to the roster to challenge Scott Barlow -- who saved 24 games last season -- for the gig.

Vespi (sports hernia) completed a fastball-only bullpen session Tuesday consisting of 20-to-25 pitches, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The bullpen session marked Vespi's first mound work since he underwent surgery Jan. 5 to address a sports hernia. Though the reliever isn't expected to be available for the early part of the Orioles' Grapefruit League schedule while he advances through a throwing progression, both Vespi and manager Brandon Hyde have reiterated that they expect the 27-year-old southpaw will be ready to go for Opening Day.

Boston manager Alex Cora speculated that Mata could make his major-league debut in 2023, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. "The ability is there," Cora said. "At one point, (Mata) is gonna be part of this and he's gonna help us to win a few games."

The 23-year-old Mata was a highly regarded prospect at the lower levels of the minors before the pandemic and Tommy John elbow surgery curtailed his development. He returned to pitching in June of 2022 and was at Triple-A Worcester to finish the season. The right-hander dominated at Double-A Portland (1.85 ERA in 48.2 innings) before a five-start stint with the WooSox (3.47 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 23.1 innings). Mata, who consistently hit 100 MPH last season, will come out of the bullpen in Friday's exhibition against Northeastern University. He projects as a starter or reliver. Either way, Mata needs to hone his command; he posted a career 4.3 BB/9 throughout the minors and 5.8 in 2022.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said the team's closer situation is "somewhat fluid" then mentioned Leclerc's name first, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "He's got great stuff and he's got a good way about him, when it comes to makeup," Bochy said. "He's got the weapons to finish a game, I know that."

Leclerc has the most end-of-game experience among potential closers, which could also include Joe Barlow, Brock Burke and Jonathan Hernandez. Leclerc was effective over the final stages of 2022, converting seven of nine opportunities with a 1.38 ERA over 26 innings while holding hitters to a .482 OPS. He fanned 36 percent of the batters he faced from Aug. 1 forward. Consistent command remains the one big hurdle. Leclerc posted a 4.0 BB/9 last season, including 3.8 during that final effective stretch.