MLB Player News

Hearn allowed one run on five hits and struck out two over 2.2 innings in Saturday's spring training start against Colorado.

Hearn dealt with baserunners in all three innings but was touched for just the one run in the first frame when he allowed three base hits. He got out of the second with the help of a pickoff, and reliever Daniel Robert prevented Ryan McMahon from scoring in the third inning after Hearn was removed following a ground-rule double and 49 pitches. The left-hander, who is expected to be part of the 2022 rotation, will get one more Cactus League start. Depending on where he lands in the rotation, Hearn could add another 20-to-30 pitches before making his first start of the regular season. His numbers in 2021 were unexciting, but Hearn could be of use in AL-only formats.

Puk allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks across two innings in a Cactus League loss to the Guardians on Saturday. He struck out two.

The big left-hander is being given an opportunity to secure a rotation spot on the rebuilding Athletics, but he was the fourth pitcher in Saturday. Puk has now sandwiched a pair of concerning outings -- he also gave up two earned runs on two hits in just two-thirds of an inning in his Cactus League debut against the Angels on March 18 -- around the scoreless pair of frames he threw versus the Royals on Tuesday. If he's unable to demonstrate appreciably better form in whatever opportunities he has remaining prior to the regular season, Puk appears destined to start 2022 in the bullpen or back in Triple-A Las Vegas.

Williams threw a new cutter about eight times, all of which were to left-handed hitters, during Friday's spring training game, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Williams' changeup remained extremely effective with .161 BA, .232 SLG and .211 wOBA in 2021. With above-average horizontal and vertical movement, it would benefit Williams to add a pitch that breaks towards lefties. Williams hopes to use the cutter against lefties to "get them off of the other side of the plate a little bit." Although Williams isn't sure how effective the cutter will be, it's something to monitor during the season.

Fulmer was sent to minor-league camp Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The eighth overall pick in 2015 by the White Sox has a career 6.41 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 130.2 innings. Fulmer threw three scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and four strikeouts in spring training.

Treinen has not been given the closer role, but he is the leading candidate for saves, reports Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated, "Right now where we're at, we don't have a dedicated closer." While this seems a negative, Roberts also mentioned that the "easy answer" would be to turn to Treinen as the closer. It's possible the veteran reliever will be needed to put out fires earlier in games occasionally.

Alvarado has not made an appearance this spring due to "a little neck issue," manager Joe Girardi revealed on Saturday.

Alvarado was shut down from throwing for three days beginning Thursday as he looks to recover from the issue. The reliever hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but may be delayed if the issue lingers.

Kahnle (elbow) threw live batting practice Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Saturday's session was Kahnle's first live batting practice since he underwent Tommy John surgery back in August of 2020. He's being brought along carefully this spring and isn't considered likely to make the Opening Day roster, but he doesn't appear to be too far behind. The 32-year-old righty should have the chance to carve out at least a middle-relief role once fully healthy, as he owns a 3.82 ERA and a 29.3 percent strikeout rate in 277.2 career major-league innings.

Rogers left his spring outing Saturday against the Reds after getting hit by a comebacker, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Rogers took a hard hit in his lower right leg from a one-hopper off the bat of Joey Votto and exited with a team trainer. If he suffered nothing worse than a bruise, he should still have time to get up to speed by Opening Day, but a more serious issue could send him to the injured list.

Patino (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino threw live batting practice Saturday and evidently felt good afterward, as the team has already scheduled his next throwing session. Assuming he responds well following Tuesday's bullpen session, the right-hander should have a chance to make his spring debut late next week.

Antone (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Antone underwent Tommy John surgery in late August and is expected to miss most or all of the 2022 campaign, so his placement on the 60-day IL isn't surprising. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Tommy Pham, who officially signed a one-year contract with Cincinnati on Saturday.