MLB Player News

Scrubb exited Friday's spring game against the Nationals due to right shoulder soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb came on in the top of the third inning Friday and issued two walks while striking out one during the frame. However, he gave up a home run to lead off the fourth inning and the left the game with a trainer. The severity of his injury isn't yet known.

Abreu was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Abreu was in major-league camp to begin spring training but will now join the minor-league squad ahead of the regular season. The right-hander made three Grapefruit League appearances this year and allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Diaz has just a single big-league appearance on his resume, so he was never particularly likely to break camp on the active roster. That outing, in which he walked four of the seven batters he faced and allowed two runs as a Blue Jay back in 2019, was his only one above Double-A, so he'll need to prove himself at the Triple-A level before pushing to return to the highest level.

Cordero underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cordero was competing for a major-league bullpen spot during spring training, but he'll now miss the entire 2021 season following his surgery. The right-hander posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 26.2 innings during 30 relief appearances last year but will now face an extended recovery timetable.

Howard (back) could throw a bullpen session Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Howard was scratched from his scheduled outing Monday against the Yankees due to back spasms and remains shut down, but the Phillies are hoping he'll be able to throw again soon. In addition to Howard, Zach Eflin (back) and Vince Velasquez (oblique) are also dealing with injuries, so it's possible the healthiest of the trio opens the year in the rotation. If none of the three are ready to go, non-roster invitee Ivan Nova could win a temporary job.

Perdomo was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 26-year-old delivered four scoreless frames during spring training, but it wasn't enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Perdomo should have a big-league opportunity at some point this season as the Brewers shuffle their bullpen pieces.

Smeltzer was optioned to the alternate training site Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old was in camp competing for a rotation spot but has struggled with seven runs allowed over four innings. Smeltzer primarily worked as a reliever for the Twins in 2020 and posted a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 16 innings. He'll eventually join Triple-A St. Paul for the start of the minor-league season.

White (shoulder) threw his first bullpen of camp earlier this week and expects to get into game action before spring training ends, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

White was delayed early in camp by a shoulder impingement. It looks as though he's past the worst of the problem, but it doesn't sound like he'll be fully up to speed by Opening Day.

Borucki has posted a 2.25 ERA and 6:0 K:BB through four Grapefruit League innings.

The southpaw began adjusting to a short relief role last season, and Borucki appears to be thriving with the switch. The 26-year-old should open the season as Toronto's top setup option from the left side, potentially making Borucki a strong source of holds in 2021.

Rodriguez is being considered for an Opening Day bullpen spot, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez is one of the Angels' best prospects but has made just three starts over the last three years (all at the High-A level) due to back issues and last year's canceled minor-league season. He evidently impressed enough at the alternate site and in camp this spring that the team thinks he may already be ready to debut. The 22-year-old righty has the stuff of a high-leverage reliever or even a frontline starater, though his injuries and lack of a track record make it hard to predict just how much he can offer the Angels this season.