MLB Player News

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Rainey (collarbone) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

While he has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut as he recovers from a muscle strain near his right collarbone, Rainey is beginning to ramp up again and is expected to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. After incumbent closer Daniel Hudson endured a turbulent 2020 campaign and after Sean Doolittle left for the Reds this offseason, Rainey looks like he could be a candidate for ninth-inning duties earlier this winter, but those hopes were dashed when the Nationals signed three-time All-Star Brad Hand to a one-year, $10.5 million deal. Rainey should once again serve as one of the Nats' top setup men in 2021.

Barnes pitched a perfect inning, striking out two, in Sunday's spring game against the Braves.

Barnes made his Grapefruit League debut Sunday, setting down the Braves in order in the fourth inning, including an inning-ending punch-out of Ronald Acuna. "That was impressive," manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "That was good. Velocity was up, I think a tick above last season, which was a good sign." He and Adam Ottavino have been mentioned as candidates to close out games, but Cora has not yet named a set closer.

Ramirez was cleared to rejoin the Mariners for workouts Monday after passing all COVID-19-related protocols, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Ramirez was away from the team for seven days while he waited to clear the protocol. As a reliever, Ramirez won't need much time to ramp up for game action, so the week-long absence shouldn't jeopardize his availability for Opening Day. Ramirez made 16 appearances out of the Seattle bullpen as a rookie last season, logging a 2.61 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:20 K:BB in 20.2 innings while going 3-for-3 in save chances.

Gsellman (ribs) made his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Nationals, pitching a scoreless inning in relief while working around two hits and a walk.

Gsellman's 2020 campaign came to an end in early September when he suffered a fractured rib, but he received a clean bill of health heading into spring training. Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Gsellman is included on the Mets' travel roster ahead of Monday's game against the Nationals, so he could get the chance to make his second relief appearance of the spring.

Pressley struck out the side on 14 pitches during a scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against the Cardinals.

Pressly made his Grapefruit League debut and was sharp in dispatching St. Louis regulars in a masterful third inning. Ten of 14 pitches landed in the zone, including his breaking ball, he told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Houston's presumptive closer is coming off an uneven 2020 campaign due to elbow soreness and lingering effects of 2019 knee surgery.

Bummer threw a perfect inning in a "B" game Sunday against the Dodgers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Bummer faced opponents for the first time this spring in what turned out to be a bullpen day against the Dodgers. "I was happy to get out there and face their hitters, work on things, throw to [Jonathan] Lucroy and get more familiar with him," Bummer said. "Overall a good day for the first time. Hopefully getting into a game soon." Bummer arrived to camp late after staying back for the birth of a child. That put him slightly behind others, but the left-hander has plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. He's expected to be the primary setup man for closer Liam Hendriks.

Ginkel allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Ginkel entered the game in the eighth inning in what was his second spring appearance. He pitched the fifth inning during his other outing. He had been considered closer material in 2020 following a breakout 2019, but the right-hander allowed 11 earned runs over 10 innings when pitching the final third of games last season. Ginkel is expected to have a spot in the 2021 bullpen but has been passed by Stefan Crichton for high-leverage work.

Hill has pitched two innings thus far this spring, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk while striking out six.

Hill has improved his K/9 during each of his three big-league campaigns, starting at 8.3 in 2018 and building to 10.0 last season. The southpaw doesn't throw hard -- his fastball velocity averages just over 90 mph -- but he gets enough strikeouts and induces enough groundballs to be viewed as a valuable bullpen piece for the upstart Padres.

Jansen completed one scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League contest against Texas, allowing one hit. He did not issue any walks or collect any strikeouts.

Jansen had some issues with his mechanics late last week that resulted in a delay in his next trip to the mound, but those problems didn't appear to surface Sunday. Jansen allowed a one-out single in his lone frame but otherwise had a smooth outing, throwing 12 total pitches (seven for strikes). Per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, the veteran closer touched the low 90s in the appearance, just a tick below his average velocity last season. Jansen no longer comes without risk, but he should have adequate opportunity to prove that he can still thrive in a ninth-inning role for one of baseball's best teams.

Graterol is expected to be ready to pitch in a one-inning role by the start of the regular season, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Graterol has gotten off to a slow start this spring due to unspecified non-injury issues that kept him from throwing regularly in Venezuela during the offseason, but manager Dave Roberts indicated Sunday that he expects the flamethrower to be able to pitch by Opening Day. Graterol figures to be a key cog in the Dodgers' bullpen plans after posting a 3.09 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 23.1 innings last season.