MLB Player News

Martin (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Rangers on Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's a procedural move for the Rangers, as Martin is going to miss at least the first half of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery on his left shoulder late in January. It clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Robbie Grossman after the veteran outfielder's one-year deal became official.

Roberts (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Cubs on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

This clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which needed an opening after the Cubs signed Edwin Rios on Friday to a one-year deal. Roberts is going to miss the overwhelming majority of 2023 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, and there's a decent chance he won't be able to pitch this season.

Bachman (back/biceps) has his fastball velocity up in the mid-to-high 90s this spring, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Bachman was touted as a triple-digits flamethrower when the Angels made him a top-10 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, but he was forced to alter his mechanics last year in the minors due to back and biceps injuries, and his radar-gun readings dipped as low as 91 mph. He's healthier now and beginning to regain the form he showed at Miami of Ohio University. The 23-year-old right-hander could reach the MLB level at some point in 2023 if he continues to make encouraging strides.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz was forced to miss all of 2022 as he recovered from a flexor tendon surgery he received in 2021. Padres manager Bob Melvin said Pomeranz is "still a little behind everybody else," but is hoping the 34-year-old lefty is up to speed by the end of spring training. Between 2020-21, Pomeranz put up a 1.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP alongside a 59:20 K:BB through 44.1 innings.

The Tigers claimed Holton off waivers from Arizona on Friday

After being DFA'd by Arizona to free a spot for Andrew Chafin, Holton will now compete for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen. The 26-year-old lefty made 10 appearances for the D-backs last season, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through nine frames. Casey Mize (elbow/back) was placed on the 60-day IL to make room for Holton on the 40-man roster.

Hicks is expected to earn high-leverage spots as a reliever to begin 2023, Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hicks was used as both a starter and a reliever last season, but he was more effective out of the bullpen. The hard-throwing righty has added some weight to get back to where his body is most comfortable, and that should in turn help his durability after he missed time with shoulder, forearm and neck issues in 2022. Manager Oliver Marmol tends to avoid strict roles in the bullpen, so Hicks should join Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos as the Cardinals' top late-inning options.

Pivetta had to cut a workout short Friday due to illness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The right-hander walked off the field with a trainer, but it's believed his stamina just isn't where it needs to be yet due to the unspecified illness. It sounds like Pivetta should be back in action in a day or two.

Heuer (elbow) might begin the season on the 60-day injured list, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Heuer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery, so him getting a late start to the season was expected. The right-hander doesn't figure to be ready to join the Cubs' bullpen until at least June or so, and even after his return the team will likely be careful with his workload.

Perez and Bryan Baker might see save chances if Felix Bautista (shoulder/knee) has to miss time, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista is being worked into things slowly in camp and Dillon Tate (elbow) is slated to miss at least the first month of the season, which could open up some late-inning opportunities in the Orioles' bullpen. Perez certainly deserves to be under consideration after holding a 1.40 ERA and 55:21 K:BB over 57.2 innings for the O's last season.

Baker and Cionel Perez could get chances to close games if Felix Bautista (shoulder/knee) needs to miss time, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The O's hope that Bautista will ready in time for Opening Day as he eases into things this spring following last year's shoulder and knee injuries. If he's not, though, it sounds like Baker and Perez would get ninth-inning looks. Baker picked up one save for Baltimore in 2022 while posting a 3.49 ERA and 76:26 K:BB over 69.2 frames.