MLB Player News

Leiter agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers earlier this month, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Leiter returns to affiliated ball after having most recently pitched for the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2020. He previously made 47 appearances at the big-league level between Philadelphia and Toronto in 2017 and 2018, but he hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2019. He'll likely open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Toledo or Double-A Erie in his new organization.

Quijada (not injury related) reported to camp Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Quijada experienced visa issues in his native Venezuela this spring, but he'll join the Angels for the final week of camp prior to the regular season. The southpaw shed 30 pounds during the offseason and was expected to compete for a bullpen role this spring, but he'll likely begin the year at the team's alternate training site.

Law has pitched well enough during Graperfruit League play to potentially garner an Opening Day bullpen spot, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com. Law has thrown six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk this spring.

Law would seem to be a longshot, but the Twins may have found a way to improve his mechanics. Law didn't receive a call-up to the majors at any point in 2020 after being included in the Rangers' 60-man player pool, but the reliever made 58 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2019, compiling a 4.90 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. He'd likely work in middle relief if he does make the final roster, but he would need to be added to the 40-man roster considering he was a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Atlanta optioned Webb to its alternate training site Wednesday.

Webb's case for a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen appeared to be strong after he worked 10 scoreless innings over his eight appearances in 2020, but the fact that he has minor-league options remaining likely worked against him. Atlanta is evaluating non-roster invitees Carl Edwards and Nate Jones for spots in the bullpen, while two other relief candidates in Luke Jackson and Grant Dayton already possess 40-man roster spots but no longer have minor-league options.

Williams threw a scoreless inning and struck out two batters in his second appearance of the spring Tuesday.

Williams allowed an earned run and got just two outs in his March 20 spring debut, but he kept the opponent off the scoreboard Tuesday and used his devastating changeup to induce two punchouts. While he got a late start to the spring, Williams will be ready to go when Opening Day rolls around, and he will open in the setup role in front of closer Josh Hader.

Heuer allowed one hit and struck out three over one inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs.

Heuer permitted a leadoff triple before striking out the side to finish off the eighth inning. He's fanned 13 batters without a walk over eight Cactus League innings. Heuer, who's pitched multiple innings in two of his six spring outings, will be part of a deep White Sox bullpen, likely in a middle-relief role.

Clarke is one likely candidate to fill in for injured starter Zac Gallen (forearm).

Gallen was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of the forearm and will miss an indefinite amount of time. That naturally leads to speculation about the candidates to replace him in the rotation. At this point in spring training, Clarke is the most built-up depth starter at 12 innings, followed closely by Seth Frankoff (11.2 IP). Clarke gets the edge over Frankoff based on spring numbers and MLB experience. The right-handed Clarke has allowed three runs on 13 hits and two walks while striking out 10 this spring.

Alzolay will have a fourth minor-league option for 2021, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The 26-year-old had a 2.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 21.1 innings (six appearances) during the shortened 2020 campaign, but an arbitrator determined that wasn't enough to use up one of the right-hander's minor-league options. Alzolay was essentially guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot without the option year, but he can now be sent to the minors without being subjected to waivers. Regardless of whether he breaks camp with the team, Alzolay should have a role for Chicago at some point this season.

Fulmer has been generating a lot of swings and misses in simulated games over the last week, including eight during a 24-pitch stretch last Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Fulmer is out of options and thus only has a small window to impress the Reds enough to win a roster spot, but he might claim the team's final bullpen opening if his success in simulated games carries over to spring training outings.

Sims allowed two runs on three hits in his spring training debut Tuesday, all after retiring the first two batters, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "The breaking ball was really good today," Sims said. "I know I gave up a hit or two on it, but those are easier adjustments. Those are kind of more location, maybe pitch selection."

All in all, it wasn't bad for his first outing. Sims was hitting 92-94 mph with his fastball, which is at the low end of his range from last season, but he should ramp up his velocity as he goes along. Amir Garrett, meanwhile, looked dominant in his one inning, striking out the side, so he might be a little ahead of Sims in the closer's job battle. That said, manager David Bell may not use a full-time closer, instead mixing and matching with Garrett and Sims.