MLB Player News

Rogers said he felt great physically after his first spring outing Sunday, where he struck out all three batters he faced, The Athletic reports. It was his first outing since last July when he landed on the injured list with a left middle finger sprain.

Rogers returned to his elite reliever form last season, showing his 2020 decline was more cosmetic than any loss of skills (his 4.05 ERA in 2020 was driven by a poor .404 BAPIP). However, his season was cut short in July by a season-ending left middle finger sprain. With the departure of Alex Colome, Rogers should emerge as Minnesota's primary closer, but his upside for saves may be limited given that manager Rocco Baldelli has ignored traditional closer patterns.

Kahnle (elbow) threw a bullpen session over the weekend, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

This is the first report from the team of Kahnle throwing off a mound this spring. While this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the right-hander and shows that he is progressing through his throwing program, Plunkett notes that Kahnle remains unlikely to be ready for the season opener.

Tarnok was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Tarnok was added to the 40-man roster and was in major-league camp as one of Atlanta's top prospects, but he'll now shift over to the minor-league side. The 23-year-old right-hander finished last season at Double-A Mississippi and posted a 2.60 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB over 45 innings (nine starts), and his big-league debut could be on tap in 2022 if he has a strong showing at the Triple-A level.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said De Leon suffered a right shoulder injury during Monday's spring game against the Tigers and is being evaluated by the medical staff, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

De Leon was down in some pain after spiking a pitch during Monday's appearances, and the specifics of the injury remain uncertain. The 29-year-old is in camp as a non-roster invitee after posting a 8.35 ERA over 18.1 innings for Cincinnati last year.

The Mariners assigned Weigel to their minor-league camp Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Though his resume includes four big-league relief appearances, Weigel never looked like a good bet to make the Mariners' Opening Day bullpen after signing with the team on a minor-league deal late in the offseason. His lack of a 40-man roster spot means that he'll have to impress at Triple-A Tacoma before warranting consideration for a possible promotion to the big club.

Harvey (triceps) was claimed off waivers by Washington on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Harvey has plenty of talent, but injuries have wrecked his career thus far, holding the 2013 first-round pick to 23.2 career major-league innings, including 8.2 in each of the last two seasons. He's already on his third team of the offseason, as he's been waived by both the Orioles and Giants. His talent should continue to earn him chances, but his unreliability means no team is likely to be particularly invested in him.

De Leon tossed just two pitches Monday in his Grapefruit League appearance against the Tigers before departing with an apparent right arm injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Blue Jays will likely send De Leon in for X-rays and possibly an MRI before providing a diagnosis of his injury, but he looked to be in considerable pain while bouncing a pitch to home plate during Monday's appearance. De Leon is attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and is hoping to win a spot in Toronto's Opening Day bullpen.

Naughton was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Naughton will remain on a 40-man roster after being designated for assignment by the Angels on Friday. He hasn't done anything to suggest he deserves an Opening Day roster spot, as he recorded a 6.35 ERA and 12:14 K:BB in his major-league debut last season.

The Marlins optioned Castano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano is expected to slot into Jacksonville's rotation after he made 14 starts for the affiliate in 2021. Injuries opened the door for Castano to make five appearances -- including four starts -- with the big club last season, but he underwhelmed with a 4.87 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB across 20.1 innings.

Cleavinger (oblique) is scheduled to make an appearance in relief Monday in the Dodgers' Cactus League game against the White Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Cleavinger concluded the 2021 campaign on the Dodgers' 60-day injured list due to a right oblique strain, but the fact that he was able to make five minor-league rehab appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City in late September and early October suggested that he entered the offseason at close to optimal health. Now ready to go for big-league camp this spring, Cleavinger will be vying for a low-leverage role in Los Angeles' Opening Day bullpen.