MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said that Hudson (elbow) played catch Monday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Due to the timing of his surgery, Hudson is expected to miss the entire 2021 season, but the right-hander isn't giving up hope of making a late-summer return in a relief role. The Cardinals' decision on whether to bring Hudson back this season will likely hinge not only on how he fares during the lengthy recovery process, but also on where the team stands in the playoff race in September. Hudson at least appears to be on track with his rehab, but he still has several more hurdles to clear before the idea of him pitching in games in 2021 would be seriously entertained.

Anderson has been credited with a hold in each of his first two Grapefruit League appearances, firing two clean frames during which he's recorded two strikeouts.

It's a very small sample, but Anderson has put on a pretty convincing impression of the late-inning dominator he was throughout the regular season last year before running out of gas in the postseason. The 30-year-old pitched to a career-best 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP across 19 appearances in 2020, displaying his versatility by garnering six holds and saves apiece. Anderson is likely to see some save opportunities again in 2021, as manager Kevin Cash could well deploy a closer-by-committee approach.

Ferguson (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program earlier in spring training, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Ferguson is just under six months removed from Tommy John surgery, so he isn't expected to do anything more than long toss off flat ground for the duration of the spring. He could be cleared to face hitters by the end of the season, but the Dodgers are unlikely to activate him from the 60-day injured list at any point in 2021.

Jimenez was returned to the Blue Jays by the Athletics on Monday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Jimenez was selected by Oakland in the Rule 5 draft, but he evidently wasn't going to secure a roster spot. He'll join Toronto's camp as a non-roster invitee and could push for a promotion at some point this season, but he's unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster.

Pearson (groin) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Pearson's groin strain is expected to prevent him from being ready to start by Opening Day, but the fact that he continues to throw is certainly a good sign. It's not yet clear if Pearson will be ready to open the year in the bullpen or if he'll continue to go through a throwing progression while off the active roster.

The Dodgers optioned Vesia to their minor-league camp Monday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Vesia, whom the Dodgers acquired in February, will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Double-A Tulsa as he begins his career with a new organization. The 24-year-old got the chance to make his MLB debut for the COVID-19-depleted Marlins in 2020, posting an 18.69 ERA over his five appearances out of the bullpen.

Howard was scheduled to throw two innings Monday against the Yankees but was scratched due to back spasms, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard had been looking good this spring, with his velocity and conditioning both in a better place than they were during his disappointing rookie season, but he already appeared likely to open the year in the bullpen or minors due to the offseason acquisitions of Matt Moore and Chase Anderson. While the back issue doesn't appear to be a particularly serious one, it could keep him off the Opening Day roster given that his spot already appeared precarious to begin with. Even if he fails to crack the rotation to start the year, however, he should be one of the top options to step into a starting role when someone ahead of him gets hurt, so he could certainly still earn a fair number of starts at some point this year.

The Dodgers optioned Uceta to their minor-league camp Monday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Uceta will likely open the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. His last minor-league action came in 2019 at Double-A Tulsa, with whom he logged a 3.21 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 76:33 K:BB across 73 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Jackson to their minor-league camp Monday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Jackson will likely open the season at Double-A Tulsa. During his last minor-league season in 2019, he split time between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Low-A Great Lakes, logging a 3.06 ERA and a 141:57 K:BB in 114.2 innings across the two stops.

Staumont revealed Monday that he contracted COVID-19 right before the start of camp, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

He lost weight and dealt with a high fever, which is why he is a little behind the rest of Kansas City's relievers in terms of getting spring work in. Staumont made his spring debut Sunday, striking out one while allowing zero baserunners in one inning against the Dodgers. He should work in the late innings and will compete with Greg Holland and Scott Barlow for save opportunities.