MLB Player News

Manager Joe Girardi announced that Moore will start the Phillies' fourth game of the season Monday against the Mets, Pat Gallen of CBS 3 Philadelphia reports.

Moore and fellow newcomer Chase Anderson were awarded the final two spots in the rotation over Vince Velasquez, who will head to the bullpen. Philadelphia brought Moore in a one-year, $3 million deal this winter after the 31-year-old southpaw appeared to get his career back on track in Japan last season with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Though he only made 13 starts while missing time due to injury, Moore whiffed 27.8 percent of the batters he faced to go with a 2.65 ERA. He wasn't quite as dominant this spring for the Phillies, though he struck out nearly a batter per inning and submitted a tidy 1.15 WHIP. Before he made the jump to Japan, Moore's track record in the majors from 2015 through 2019 wasn't overly impressive, so he's best viewed as a streamer or back-end roster option in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues to begin the season.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that Alvarado would open the season as one of the top setup men for closer Hector Neris, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Though Neris should be in line to receive the bulk of the save chances to begin the season, Alvarado -- the lone southpaw in the bullpen -- could factor into the ninth-inning mix when the Phillies face lefty-heavy lineups. Alvarado missed extended time in both of his final two seasons with the Rays due to arm injuries, but he was healthy and effective this spring, striking out 13 while holding opposing hitters to a .167 average over 8.1 innings.

Manager Joe Girardi said Neris would open the season as the Phillies' closer, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After posting a 14:0 K:BB while allowing just five hits in 9.2 innings this spring, Neris was awarded the job over Archie Bradley and Jose Alvarado, who Girardi confirmed would be the Phillies' top right-handed and left-handed setup man, respectively. Though Neris has converted 70 of his 87 save chances (80.5 percent) over the past four seasons, an inability to consistently keep the ball in the yard has prevented him from building up much job security. With two high-quality options in Bradley and Alvarado waiting in the wings, Neris will likely need to avoid blowups early on in April and May to ensure he finishes the season as the Phillies' top option for saves.

Hearn will pair with Jordan Lyles to form a starting tandem to open the regular season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers set the opening week rotation, which includes two sets of tandem starters. Lyles and Hearn will slot in as third in the rotation and pitch Sunday, April 4, against the Royals. Texas manager Chris Woodward did say Lyles is "close" to becoming a traditional starter, citing the right-hander's strong spring. If that were to happen, then Hearn would move to the bullpen in a traditional reliever role.

Nelson will begin the campaign as a member of the Yankees' bullpen, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

This news comes as little surprise after Nelson put together a superb spring, posting a 10:1 K:BB across 10 innings and allowing only one run. The 25-year-old was primarily a starter in the minors and could fill a flexible role for New York. He often threw multiple relief innings during his debut big-league campaign in 2020, and he could work his way into high-leverage situations if he carries his Grapefruit League momentum into the regular season.

Pearson (groin strain) is still just throwing long toss and does not have a scheduled date for full bullpen sessions yet, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Given that Pearson has already had one setback, the Jays are making sure he doesn't have another one with this injury. He's going to need to progress to full bullpen sessions and then simulated games, and perhaps finally to some games at the alternate training camp site before he's cleared to return to the Jays' rotation.

Manaea allowed five earned runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League loss to the Giants on Monday. He struck out five.

As his final line indicates, Manaea's control wasn't in top form, but Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports the left-hander was able to close out his spring slate on a high note by retiring the side in the fourth after reentering the game following a third-inning exit. Despite some wildness Monday, the veteran finished Cactus League play with a 3-1 mark and 17 strikeouts over 15.1 innings.

Chicago manager David Ross said Miller will "contribute to our team" this season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Miller was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, and he could opt out of the assignment at some point early in the season, but Ross said the righty will "pitch big innings for us." With the jump from 60 games in 2020 back to 162 games this season, teams will likely dip into their pitching depth to cover the innings without overworking starters. Miller's not on the fantasy radar right now, and his performance the past few seasons hasn't been great, but he could work his way into a regular role with the Cubs at some point.

Leclerc (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move is an expected one, as Leclerc won't pitch again for more than a year due to Tommy John surgery. With Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) also landing on the 60-day injured list, the ninth inning is open for Ian Kennedy or Matt Bush.

Hernandez (elbow) landed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Hernandez looked to have a chance to close games this season before being diagnosed with a UCL sprain in early March. His return timeline remains unclear, but he'll be out until the end of May at the earliest. There's still a chance he picks up saves in the back half of the season with Jose Leclerc ruled out for more than a year due to Tommy John surgery, but he'll have to prove his health and effectiveness before reentering that conversation.