MLB Player News

Wittgren has impressed manager Terry Francona this spring and could be a candidate to close games to start the season, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

James Karinchak is being drafted as if he's Cleveland's most likely closer, and while he could certainly fill the role, there hasn't been much of an indication from the team that he's the clear favorite. Karinchak struck out an incredible 48.6 percent of batters last season but also walked 14.7 percent, and he's been no different this spring, striking out 18 batters in eight innings while walking six. Wittgren, by contrast, offers a far less extreme package. Both his 28.6 percent strikeout rate and 6.1 percent walk rate last season were strong but not particularly noteworthy, and his 6:1 K:BB in six scoreless innings this spring is similarly solid. If Francona prefers stability over dominance in the ninth inning, it could well be Wittgren who earns the majority of the team's save opportunities this year.

Yarbrough still has manager Kevin Cash's confidence despite his rocky third spring start against Atlanta, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "The reason Yarbs is good is because his stuff's good," Cash said. "He can really pitch. His changeup's been a weapon that he can throw at any point, any count, [and] I always feel like the cutter has been the equalizer for him to the right-handed hitter."

Yarbrough had a bit of a rollercoaster outing against Atlanta's regulars Sunday, retiring the first and last four batters he faced but also allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk over four innings while getting pulled twice by Cash. However, Yarbrough had mostly breezed through his first two spring starts; moreover, he owns a combined 28-16 record and 3.94 ERA over the last three seasons and has generated the lowest average exit velocity (84.6 mph) of any pitcher with at least 300 innings since 2018.

The Dodgers optioned Cleavinger to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Cleavinger was one of seven players demoted as the Dodgers reduced their contingent at big-league camp to 38 men. The reliever is expected to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the start of the 2021 season.

Palumbo (back) is expected to pitch in relief behind starter Jordan Lyles in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Palumbo looks to have moved past his bout with the back spasms that have prevented him from pitching in a spring game since March 4. Unless the Rangers elect to place him on the 10-day IL rather than optioning him, the 26-year-old lefty is expected to open the season as a member of the Triple-A Round Rock rotation.

Peters (back) is listed as an available bullpen option Tuesday for the Angels' Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Peters' inclusion on the lineup card doesn't mean he'll be used in relief behind starter Andrew Heaney, but it implies that he came out of his most recent Cactus League appearance Saturday against the Athletics without any issue. Prior to that outing, Peters had been sidelined for more than two weeks due to back spasms, but he looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the season. After being outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster shortly before spring training, Peters is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Salt Lake rotation to begin the 2021 campaign.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed Tuesday that Hader will serve as a traditional closer this season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers have been creative with Hader's usage in the past, and the presence of Devin Williams -- who struck out more than half the batters he faced last season -- could allow the team to deploy Hader earlier in games. It appears they'll go the more conventional route, however. Hader turned the so-called "Andrew Miller role" into the "Josh Hader role" early in his career, averaging 4.3 outs per appearances while saving just 12 games over his first two seasons. He's been a traditional closer to the last two years, though, and his outs per appearance continue to drop, falling to 3.7 in 2019 before sinking to 2.7 last year. Having a true closer role may continue to suppress his innings total but will nevertheless be a big boost to his fantasy value in most setups.

The Rays reassigned Krehbiel to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Krehbiel, who was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, was considered a long shot to win a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen. His lone MLB appearances came back in 2018 with Arizona, when he tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Brasier tossed his first live batting practice of the spring Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Brasier will face hitters again in batting practice Thursday as he continues to get his arm conditioned ahead of the regular season. Because Brasier was a late arrival to camp while tending to a personal matter, the Red Sox aren't anticipating that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day, but he shouldn't miss much time beyond that. Once he's fully cleared for game action, Brasier will likely slot into a setup role for Boston.

Wilson (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Once the results of Wilson's MRI become available, the Yankees are expected to provide an update on how long the lefty might be sidelined after he exited Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies with shoulder tightness. He retired none of the four batters he faced prior to departing with the injury, and his spring ERA now sits at 23.14 over four appearances.

Abreu struck out four over three perfect innings in Monday's spring game against the Mets.

Abreu is ramping up his innings in case he's needed in Houston, but he's expected to start the season as part of Triple-A Sugar Land's rotation, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. He could, however, be part of the Astros' bullpen with reliever Andre Scrubb suffering from a sore right shoulder.