MLB Player News

Munoz is a candidate to see even more work in later innings early in the season as a result of Ken Giles' finger injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The flamethrowing right-hander already has the arsenal of a potential late-inning ace, and with the Mariners down an experienced hand in Giles for at least the first month of the season, it seems Munoz will be a beneficiary. The 23-year-old has fired three scoreless innings across three appearances this spring, allowing two hits and recording a pair of strikeouts along the way.

Kinley tossed a perfect fifth inning to earn the save in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.

Kinley gave up a solo homer in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks, but he bounced back with his third scoreless outing in four relief appearances this spring. The right-hander picked up 10 holds for the Rockies last year while posting a 4.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 70.1 innings across 70 relief appearances. However, he faces an uphill battle for high-leverage work since Colorado has Alex Colome, Daniel Bard and Carlos Estevez available in the late innings.

Puk was mentioned by manager Mark Kotsay as still being a candidate for the starting rotation in the wake of Sean Manaea's trade to the Padres on Sunday, Scott Bordow of MLB.com reports.

Puk seemed destined to start the season in the bullpen prior to Sunday, but with Oakland's projected No. 2 starter now off the roster, it seems the big left-hander will at least be given a chance to benefit from the domino effect of the move. However, Puk, who's posted a 7.27 ERA over 8.2 innings across five appearances this spring, will have plenty of competition, considering Paul Blackburn and Adam Oller are also in the mix for back-end spots and James Kaprielian (shoulder) is expected to return by the end of April, Gallegos separately reports.

Jimenez was informed Sunday that he's made the Athletics' Opening Day roster, Scott Bordow of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez made two relief appearances for the Giants in 2020 but spent the entire 2021 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo and posted a 2.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 44.2 innings across 39 appearances (one start). After tossing 4.1 scoreless innings across five Cactus League outings this spring, the right-hander will pitch out of the major-league bullpen to begin the year.

Lopez could be a candidate for save chances along with Dillon Tate and Paul Fry after the trade of Tanner Scott and Cole Sulser to Miami, MASN Sports reports.

Lopez was stretched out early in spring to move into the starting rotation, but it sounds like he'll instead work in the bullpen. Tate appears to be the leading candidate to close, but the bullpen is in flux after the trade. Lopez has given up five runs in 6.1 innings with four strikeouts and three walks this spring.

Tate (illness) looks be the leading candidate to take over Baltimore's closer role after the Orioles traded Tanner Scott and Cole Sulser to Miami on Sunday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Tate will likely miss the next couple days of workouts while he contends with a sore throat, but he's expected to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. Baltimore's bullpen is in flux after the trade, but Tate appears to be the most likely candidate for save chances. Of course, the 52-110 Orioles had just 26 saves as a team last season, so save opportunities may not be plentiful. Paul Fry and Jorge Lopez are other candidates to factor into the mix for saves, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

Suarez appears to be the favorite to close games for the Padres this season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Suarez signed with the Padres in November following a five-season stint in Japan, and he has been excellent in Cactus League play, allowing only one run while posting a 7:0 K:BB across four innings. The 31-year-old hasn't yet logged a save this spring but racked up 67 saves during his final two campaigns in Japan. Emilio Pagan could still be in the running for San Diego's closer job as well, but he hasn't been as sharp in Cactus League action, allowing five runs in 4.1 frames.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Rodriguez was believed to have an outside chance at a ninth-inning role heading into the regular season, but he'll ultimately begin the year in the minors. The right-hander posted a 6.11 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 17.2 innings across 20 relief appearances for the Cubs last year, but his fastball averaged 97.2 mph, so he could be in the mix for a high-leverage role for the major-league club at some point in 2022.

Sulser and Tanner Scott were traded from the Orioles to the Marlins on Sunday in exchange for Antonio Velez and Kevin Guerrero, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Sulser was slated to compete for closing duties in Baltimore to begin the 2022 campaign, but he'll now attempt to carve out a role in the Marlins' bullpen. The right-hander converted eight of 11 save chances last year and posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 63.1 innings across 60 relief appearances. The Marlins have Dylan Floro (arm), Anthony Bender and Anthony Bass available as late relievers, but Sulser should be in the mix for some late-inning work in 2022.

Scott and Cole Sulser were traded from the Orioles to the Marlins on Sunday in exchange for Antonio Velez and Kevin Guerrero, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Scott got some work as a setup man for Baltimore in 2021, and he logged 16 holds with a 5.17 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 54 innings across 62 relief appearances. The southpaw should be in the mix for some late-inning work with the Marlins this year, but he'll likely have to improve his 14.7 percent walk rate to become a more reliable option.