MLB Player News

Antone (hip) said Monday that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

While this isn't quite confirmation from the team that Antone will avoid a trip to the injured list to start the season, it's seemingly the next best thing. Antone entered camp as a potential starter, but minor groin and hip issues prevented him from building up the necessary pitch count. He could still enter the rotation at some point this season and will be a very interesting fantasy option should that happen if he can get anywhere close to repeating his 2.80 ERA and 31.9 percent strikeout rate from his 35.1-inning debut last season, but he'll pitch in relief for now.

Bednar has officially won a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Bednar has options remaining, so he could have been sent to the minors so the Pirates could keep other options in the organization. He forced the team's hand with a dominant spring, however, striking out 18 batters and walking just one in 8.2 scoreless innings. That's the kind of performance that could push him into a high-leverage role this season given the Pirates' lack of proven bullpen options, though he hasn't looked anything close to a high-leverage option in his 17.1 major-league innings thus far in his career, struggling to a 6.75 ERA.

Cimber is expected to fill a middle relief role for the Marlins this season, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander has looked good this spring, putting together a 1.13 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over eight innings. Cimber may not see much high-leverage work but he did record 19 holds for Cleveland in 2019, and his sidearm delivery and ability to induce groundballs could make him manager Don Mattingly's top choice when the Marlins need a double play in the late innings.

Floro is expected to be the Marlins' primary seventh-inning pitcher to begin the season, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

Manager Don Mattingly prefers set roles for his high-leverage crew, and Floro will apparently be the bridge to Yimi Garcia and Anthony Bass in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Floro got a late start to his spring but has posted a 3:1 K:BB in 3.2 Grapefruit League innings, and his 2.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP for the Dodgers in 2020 suggest he can be effective, if not exactly dominant, for Miami.

Garcia is expected to open the season as the Marlins' main setup man, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander's 6.23 ERA this spring is inflated by three homers in 8.2 innings, but Garcia's 11:1 K:BB also highlights his potential. Anthony Bass remains the favorite to handle save chances for the Marlins, but if Garcia can find a way to keep the ball in the park more consistently (career 1.65 HR/9), he could make a push for the closer role.

Bass is the favorite to open the season as the Marlins' primary closer, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander has done nothing to pitch himself out of the job this spring, posting 2.16 ERA and 8:3 K:BB in 8.1 Grapefruit League innings. Bass saved 12 games over the last two seasons for the Mariners and Blue Jays, a mark he could easily exceed even if he winds up splitting ninth-inning work with Yimi Garcia.

Jackson appears set to begin the season in the Atlanta bullpen, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has 18 saves and nine holds in 2019, but he was out of the high-leverage mix last year and likely won't regain a prominent spot in 2021. Jackson posted a solid 3.52 ERA and 7:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings this spring and should work primarily in middle relief.

Manager Jayce Tingler said Monday that Weathers will open the season as a member of the Padres' bullpen, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Though Weathers appears to have lost out to Adrian Morejon in the competition to replace Dinelson Lamet (elbow) as the club's fifth starter to begin the season, the 21-year-old lefty will have a spot waiting for him in the bullpen with seven Padres relievers set to open the campaign on the injured list. Weathers has yet to make his regular-season MLB debut, though the Padres thought enough of him to include him on their NLDS roster last fall. San Diego still plans to develop Weathers as a starter, but given the club's ample rotation depth, he's expected to see most of his opportunities as a reliever in 2021.

Pop has made the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

As a Rule 5 draft pick, the Marlins have to keep Pop on the active roster all season or offer him back to the Orioles. That gave him a leg up in the battle for a roster spot, but he seems to have won one legitimately, as he didn't allow an earned run in five innings of work this spring, striking out four while walking two and allowing three hits.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler confirmed Monday that Johnson (groin) will open the season on the 10-day injured list, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson's move to the IL was fully expected after a groin strain had prevented him from making any relief appearances during Cactus League play over the past two weeks. The right-hander does at least appear to be making progress, as he was cleared to resume mound work last week. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks with the calf during his recovery program, Johnson should be ready to return from the IL in the minimum 10 days or shortly thereafter.