MLB Player News

Duran threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his spring debut Saturday against the Red Sox. He reached 100.4 mph with his fastball, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

Duran is one of Minnesota's top pitching prospects, but he threw just 16 innings last season due to elbow issues. He could contend for the major-league rotation later this season, but his workload may be managed as he works his way back to form, Park also reports.

Robles has yet to report to camp due to a visa issue, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Robles signed with the Red Sox as a non-roster invitee Saturday but won't get the chance to push for a roster spot right away. Whether or not he arrives in time to claim one remains to be seen.

Nance was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Nance actually ended last season on the same injured list. It's unclear if he's caught the virus himself this time around or if he's sidelined due to contract tracing.

Palumbo (undisclosed) is set to pitch in Sunday's Cactus League game versus the Reds, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Palumbo is expected to pitch an inning or two as a reliever behind Sammy Long in the Giants' third game of spring training. He was limited to 6.2 innings last season with Triple-A Round Rock, so it's likely the 27-year-old will begin 2022 at the same level with Triple-A Sacramento. He's often worked as a starter in the minors, but the southpaw may have to settle for a relief role if he works into the Giants' major-league plans.

Yamamoto was re-assigned to the Mets' minor-league camp Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander wasn't expected to break camp on the big-league roster anyway, but the quick exile is likely due to the shortened spring training schedule and a lack of innings for the Mets' established arms. "We need to get him stretched out," manager Buck Showalter said regarding Yamamoto's demotion. The 25-year-old should begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse and could see action in the majors later this summer if injuries force the Mets to dip into their rotation depth.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Reyes (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least four weeks, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Reyes received a stem-cell injection in his throwing shoulder Friday and will have about a month to rest before starting a throwing program. The 27-year-old is expected to be unavailable for game action until at least late May, while Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera should open the regular season as the favorites for save opportunities.

Robles' deal with the Red Sox is a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's a bit surprising that Robles had to settle for a minor-league deal, but he may have liked his time with Boston last season and been eager to return. Robles has saved 41 games in his career and he saved 14 games last season, so even though it's a minor-league deal, it's possible he earns high-leverage work at some point this season.

With the Tigers adding Michael Pineda on Friday, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Alexander will likely head to the bullpen to begin the season.

Alexander was slotted in as the team's No. 5 starter, but the addition of Pineda should change that. The new addition figures to join Eduardo Rodriguez, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Matt Manning in the rotation. Alexander has proven capable of both starting and pitching in relief during his career, and he could rejoin the rotation if anyone gets bumped due to injury or ineffectiveness. For now, the lefty's fantasy value takes a hit in a long relief role.

Robles has agreed to a contract with the Red Sox, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old righty had a 4.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 69 innings last season between Minnesota and Boston. He was significantly better (3.60 ERA, 30.3 K%) with the Red Sox, as he saved four games in 27 appearances for Boston. With Garrett Whitlock getting stretched out, it's possible that Robles could enter the mix for saves again this season -- he has 41 in his career, 23 of which came with the Angels in 2019.

Treinen has a better chance to enter the season as the Dodgers' top option in the ninth inning after Kenley Jansen signed with Atlanta.

The Dodgers may still opt to use Treinen in high-leverage spots outside of the ninth inning rather than as a pure closer, but many thought Jansen could return to L.A., so Treinen's ADP should tick up. Daniel Hudson, Alex Vesia, Phil Bickford and Brusdar Graterol also loom as potential late-inning options.