MLB Player News

Stiever allowed one run on three hits while striking out two and did not walk a batter over two innings in Friday's spring game against the Mariners.

Stiever started Friday's game, his first Cactus League appearance of 2020, but he's not expected to break camp with the White Sox. The 23-year-old right-hander has been talked up by manager Tony La Russa as potential starting depth and someone that will contribute to the 2021 team, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com.

Clarke allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.

Clarke has made two spring appearances as a reliever but is being stretched out as a potential starter. He worked two innings in his debut and was Arizona's first pitcher to throw three innings in a game. His flexibility could result in him being used as a starter and as a multi-inning reliever.

Reyes fired two perfect innings in a Grapefruit League loss to the Astros on Thursday, recording three strikeouts.

Reyes' second dominant outing in as many spring appearances came as his fellow competitor for the No. 5 starter role, Carlos Martinez, struggled badly to open the contest. Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports that Reyes remains receptive to any role he ultimately is assigned. "I would love to start," the right-hander said after Thursday's game. "That's what I've done as a minor leaguer, that's what I've done my whole career. Pitching in the bullpen is also fun. Our organization, we're blessed with so many talented guys, that's the fun part about spring training -- coming out here and competing. However it ends up, it ends up; all I want to do is be on that roster."

Kelly (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday and is progressing through his throwing program, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kelly has started slowly this spring due to a bout of soreness and an unspecified illness, but he appears to be working his way back in shape. The Dodgers expect the right-hander to be ready for Opening Day, and he figures to be a key cog in the team's bullpen as long as he stays healthy.

Yarbrough threw 16 pitches over his one inning during his Grapefruit League debut against the Twins on Thursday and impressed manager Kevin Cash with his performance, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "Nice to see one of our guys start the buildup," Cash said. "He was kidding that he walked a guy -- normally doesn't walk too many guys -- so I'm sure he's got plenty of reps to fine-tune that. But he looks really crisp."

Yarbrough has been a valued jack-of-all-trades for Cash over the last three seasons, serving as everything from conventional starter and reliever to an opener for bullpen games. The left-hander has deftly handled every role he's been asked to fill, posting a 28-16 record over that span with a 3.94 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Yarbrough projects to open the season as high as the No. 2 slot in the rotation behind new ace Tyler Glasnow.

Patino, who was credited with the victory in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Twins, impressed with his velocity and location during his one inning, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The promising right-hander consistently kept his fastball in the mid-90s and threw seven of his 10 pitches for strikes during the second inning. Patino did work around a hit and gave up some loud contact, but battery mate Francisco Mejia, who caught Patino during their time together in the Padres organization, came away impressed with his teammate's confidence. Meanwhile, pitching coach Kyle Snyder added that the 21-year-old's changeup and slider are excellent complements to his formidable fastball.

Jansen won't appear in a game for at least a few days after he felt uncomfortable with his mechanics during a live batting practice session Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Jansen looked great in his spring debut Monday, retiring all three batters he faced -- two by strikeout -- on only nine pitches. There's no indication that the right-hander's issues while throwing to teammates Thursday has anything to do with an injury, so it sounds like the team is simply giving Jansen a few days to get right before he returns to game action. Though his numbers have fallen a bit over the past few seasons, he'll enter the campaign as the Dodgers' Opening Day closer once again.

Graterol is on track to throw off a mound for the first time this spring within the next few days, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts explained Friday that Graterol wasn't able to pitch regularly in Venezuela over the winter, which explains why the Dodgers have held him back in his throwing program thus far. Graterol is expected to play a key high-leverage role in the team's bullpen this season, so the hope is that he'll still have time to properly ramp up before Opening Day.

Reyes (elbow) was outrighted to the minors by the Angels on Friday.

Reyes was diagnosed with a right UCL sprain Tuesday, and he'll now be removed from the 40-man roster. He was a long shot to make the Angels' roster in the first place, but it appears as though he'll begin the season in the minors if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Puk will face hitters at the Athletics' complex Friday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

There are no questions about Puk's talent, but injury issues remain a massive concern for the sixth overall pick in the 2016 draft. He's thrown a combined 116.2 innings over the last three years, including none last season as he battled shoulder issues. He's building up very cautiously this season and is expected to open the year in the bullpen.