MLB Player News

Hendriks struck out one over a scoreless inning in Wednesday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Hendriks dispatched the Dodgers in a perfect inning while making his third Cactus League appearance. He's allowed one run on one hit while striking out four with a walk over three innings this spring. All systems are go for Chicago's closer.

Yarbrough fired three scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Orioles on Tuesday, allowing three hits and no walks, hitting a batter and recording two strikeouts.

That's two scoreless efforts (4.1 total innings) for Yarbrough to start Grapefruit League play, solidifying his projected No. 2 starter role. Yarbrough has largely displayed his usual superior control early this spring save for the one plunking Tuesday, and he heads into the 2021 campaign without any ambiguity surrounding his rotation spot for the first time in his career.

The Red Sox reassigned Gonsalves to their minor-league camp Wednesday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Gonsalves is projected to open the 2021 season as a member of the Triple-A Pawtucket rotation. His lone big-league action came with the Twins back in 2018, when he submitted a 6.57 ERA and 2.03 WHIP in 24.2 innings across seven outings (four starts).

Sims (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Sims has been brought along slowly early in spring training due to right elbow tightness, but he'll face hitters for the first time Wednesday. If all goes well, he could be on track to make his Cactus League debut in the near future. It's not yet clear whether Sims will be ready to pitch in time for Opening Day, but he should serve as a high-leverage reliever for Cincinnati once he's fully healthy.

Reds manager David Bell continued to label Antone (groin) as day-to-day Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Antone's groin injury will prevent him from making a start this weekend as had been planned, but the Red are optimistic he'll be able to complete a bullpen session. If he escapes the side session without any new discomfort to his right groin, Antone should remain on track for Opening Day.

The Padres reassigned Avila (elbow) to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Though he's believed to have recovered from his August 2019 Tommy John surgery, Avila didn't appear for the Padres in Cactus League play prior to his demotion. The 24-year-old made his big-league debut for San Diego in 2019 before going under the knife, tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his lone spot start for the Padres. Assuming he's healthy again, Avila will likely begin the 2021 campaign at Double-A San Antonio or Triple-A El Paso.

Howard is still experiencing back spasms Wednesday and won't throw over the next few days, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Howard was scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday due to back spasms, and the right-hander is still working through the issue. Howard had looked good to begin spring training and displayed improved velocity and conditioning, but he could be excluded from the Opening Day roster if he isn't ready in time for the regular season. Although Howard could be forced to work out of the bullpen after the Phillies acquired Matt Moore and Chase Anderson during the offseason, the 24-year-old should be one of the team's top options to fill in as a starter once he's fully healthy.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Thompson began spring training at major-league camp and allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.1 innings during four three relief appearances this spring. The right-hander's contract was selected by the Padres in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and it appears as though he'll advance to the Triple-A level to begin the year.

Graterol threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Graterol threw 25 pitches during the session, including sliders. Manager Dave Roberts was impressed with how Graterol looked Wednesday, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. The right-hander doesn't appear to be hurt, but he has yet to face hitters this spring with just over two weeks remaining until Opening Day. Once he's ready to play during the regular season, Graterol should serve as a high-leverage reliever for the Dodgers.

The Mariners optioned Then to High-A Everett on Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Though the Mariners added Then to the 40-man roster during the offseason, he's still at least a year away from reaching the big leagues, and likely longer if the organization continues to develop him as a starter. The right-hander last appeared in the South Atlantic League with Low-A West Virginia in 2019, giving up four runs and striking out 14 over 16 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .127 average.