MLB Player News

Misiewicz, who logged a team-high 66 appearances last season, should continue as the bullpen's primary left-handed specialist in 2022, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. "He's had stretches where he's been really good, then he'll have other stretches where it'll happen really quick," manager Scott Servais said. "I'm really hoping he takes a step forward. He could be another guy, pivotal guy, a true pivot guy."

The 27-year-old produced a so-so 4.61 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across his 54.2 innings last season, underscoring some of the inconsistency Servais was alluding to. However, Misiewicz rewarded fantasy managers with 19 holds and five victories. There are blemishes attached to fellow southpaw bullpen options Justus Sheffield, who may also be picking up some spot starts, Nick Margevicius (shoulder) and Roenis Elias (elbow).

Munoz has logged two scoreless innings during which he's allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts across his first two Cactus League appearances this spring.

The flamethrowing right-hander's arrival in camp was delayed by visa issues, but he's made good use of his scant opportunities thus far. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that Munoz, who's already the hardest thrower on staff, is also working on refining his slider to reduce the sweep it has at the moment. The 23-year-old, who's logged just five total appearances -- four at the minor-league level -- since 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, should be a key late-inning option for manager Scott Servais in the coming season.

Lamet is expected to open the season in the bullpen, though the Padres haven't officially decided on his role, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Lamet mostly worked in relief last season with nine starts in 22 appearances, and he finished with a 4.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 57:22 K:BB across 47 innings. The right-hander was electric as a starter during 2020 with a 2.09 ERA and 93:20 K:BB in 12 starts, but he then had four stints on the injured list last season with elbow issues. A move to the bullpen could help keep Lamet healthy, and his stuff would play well as a closer. However, the 29-year-old, who rarely worked in relief prior to 2021, would need to get acclimated to regularly pitching out of the bullpen before taking on a high-leverage role, so he's unlikely to be a factor in the late innings until later in the season should the Friars opt to utilize him that way.

Bowlan (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bowlan underwent Tommy John surgery early last summer, and Tuesday's bullpen session marked his first time back on the mound. The 25-year-old still has a significant way to go in his recovery, and he should continue building up his arm in hopes of being cleared for game action during the second half of the 2022 campaign.

Pivetta allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over four-plus innings in Tuesday's spring training start against the Pirates.

Pivetta took the mound for the third time and clearly didn't have his best stuff. In addition to the three free passes, the right-hander gave up two home runs. He did, however, get his pitch count up to 78, which puts him on schedule with one more Grapefruit League start before facing the Yankees in the second game of the regular season. The plan is for Pivetta to throw six innings the next time out, Dawn Klemish of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta has placed Jackson on the 60-day injured list March 19 with a right lat strain.

The transaction opened up a roster spot for reliever Kenley Jansen, who inked a one-year, $16 million deal with Atlanta. Jackson, whom Atlanta acquired from San Francisco in November, recorded a 3.74 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 21.2 innings with the Giants in 2021.

Kahnle (elbow) threw his second live batting practice Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The 32-year-old won't be ready for Opening Day as he nears his return from Tommy John surgery in August of 2020, but he could be off the injured list by the end of April, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Kahnle was a key bullpen piece for the Yankees back in 2019 and had 27 holds with a 3.67 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 88:20 K:BB over 61.1 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Bickford isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after experiencing arm soreness before the start of spring training, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Bickford had a delayed start to camp and has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game, though his spring debut may not be far off given he's already thrown live batting practice. The 26-year-old turned into a reliable bullpen piece for the Dodgers last season with nine holds and a 2.81 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 51.1 innings, and he should fill a setup role once healthy in 2022.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Brogdon is scheduled to make his third Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday against the Tigers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Brogdon reported to camp with a clean bill of health after finishing the 2021 campaign on the injured list with a groin issue, but he hasn't looked particularly sharp in his limited spring action to date. Over two relief appearances, Brogdon has given up two earned runs on two hits and four walks across 1.1 innings, with Zolecki noting that the right-hander's average fastball velocity has been down a few ticks from his 2021 average of 96 miles per hour. The Phillies haven't suggested that Brogdon is dealing with any sort of physical issue, but his poor form so far this spring might mean that he'll have to settle for lower-leverage work when the regular season begins.

Santillan told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday that he'll serve as a reliever for the Reds to begin the season. "I'll go in and attack every hitter I face," Santillan said.

Santillan has mostly served as a full-time starter since joining the Reds organization as a second-round pick in 2015, with this past season marking the first time he dabbled between starting and relief duty. The 24-year-old still made four starts across his 26 appearances with the big club in 2021, and though he was expected to compete for a rotation role in spring training, the Reds have since tabled those plans. Even with Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Mike Minor (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, the Reds may be content to let prospects Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene fill out the final two openings in the rotation behind Tyler Mahle, Vladimir Gutierrez and Reiver Sanmartin. Meanwhile, manager David Bell informed Santillan that he'll be heading to the bullpen, where he's expected to serve as one of the Reds' high-leverage relievers, according to Goldsmith. Santillan could be a factor in the Reds' closing picture, which has become more murkier this spring with Lucas Sims (elbow) on track to join Castillo and Minor on the IL to begin the season.