MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Friday that Paredes is out due to health and safety protocols, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Paredes fired a scoreless inning in his spring debut Thursday, but he will have to get the green light to rejoin his teammates before making his next appearance.

Andriese struck out one over a scoreless two innings in Thursday's spring game against the Orioles.

Andriese retired all six batters faced during a strike-zone pounding outing. At this point, Andriese is being prepared as a starter and reliever and will likely pitch in both roles, but he could emerge in the rotation if Boston deploys a six-man rotation. Red Sox manager Alex Cora is working with a six-man starting staff during spring training but has not committed to that configuration for the regular season.

Garcia allowed two runs on two hits and struck out three over two innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Garcia's start was far from a disaster, especially given the onslaught of runs allowed by the two pitchers who followed him. Nonetheless, the outing was marred by the solo homers he served up to both Scott Kingery and and Odubel Herrera. Garcia did notch three strikeouts in his brief outing, and he remains in the picture for the Yankees' fifth starter role to kick off the campaign.

Fleming, who was credited with the win in a Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates on Wednesday, was particularly effective during his one clean inning, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "They were coming out swinging the bat, being ultra-aggressive, but he was able to throw that sinker into lefties and jam them," catcher Mike Zunino said. "He naturally fills the strike zone up but misses barrels. We're right where he left last season, which is a great spot."

Fleming has already been praised by manager Kevin Cash this spring for his competitiveness, and the left-hander impressed with his play last season while managing a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his first 32.1 innings of big-league action. He's seemingly on track to open the season in a bullpen role again, and he flashed his ability to avoid hard contact with his sinker by inducing weak contact on a pop-up and a groundout before getting the same-handed Tony Wolters on a called third strike.

McHugh is slated to throw one more live batting practice before making his Grapefruit League debut, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The veteran has been pacing himself in the first couple of weeks in spring camp after sitting out last season with the Red Sox while recovering from an elbow injury. McHugh landed in Tampa Bay in January on a one-year deal and is currently projected for a long-relief bullpen role, but given his extensive, solid body of work as a starter, he serves as quite the fallback rotation option for manager Kevin Cash.

Robles gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits in one inning in Thursday's spring training loss to Tampa Bay, but reached 96 mph with his fastball, MLB.com reports.

Robles' velocity declined to an average 95.5 mph fastball last season from 97.1 mph in 2019, so this could be a positive sign early in camp. Robles has been mentioned by Rocco Baldelli as a closer option, but he'll likely first need to prove he's back to the form that saw him post a 2.48 ERA and 1.9 BB/9 in 2019; he's coming off a 10.26 ERA and 5.4 BB/9 in 2020.

Kimbrel will likely make his Cactus League debut Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs have ramped up Kimbrel and Jake Arrieta slowly during camp, as both have yet to appear in a Cactus League game. The team is being cautious with its veteran closer in hopes of keeping him fresh for the upcoming 162-game slate. Kimbrel has been up and down since coming to Chicago, but he finished 2020 on a high note (13:0 K:BB, 0.00 ERA and 0.41 WHIP over 7.1 innings in September), so there could be some reason for optimism. That said, Kimbrel's overall struggles over the past few seasons make him a somewhat risky fantasy selection.

Nelson worked effectively with his fastball and slider Thursday against the Cubs, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Nelson was sitting between 94 and 96 miles per hour with his fastball and also generated at least one whiff with his slider. After missing the entire 2020 campaign while recovering from back surgery, Nelson is back to full health and has a chance to win the fifth slot in the Dodgers' rotation. While it doesn't seem likely that Nelson will be able to hold a rotation spot all season long due to the team's depth, it's nevertheless a positive that he's been relatively sharp early on this spring.

Palumbo allowed three earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one Thursday against the Padres.

Palumbo's 2020 season was cut short due to ulcerative colitis, though he's entered camp fully healthy. While the results weren't particularly positive in this outing, Palumbo was reportedly working on his changeup -- a pitch he was developing throughout the offseason.

Thielbar could be out "a matter of days or potentially weeks" due to a back strain, manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB.com.

Thielbar was hurt early in training camp. His status for Opening Day looks in doubt as a result. Thielbar's unique curveball (he didn't allow a hit the 94 times he threw it last season) and prowess against left-handed batters (.376 OPS allowed) had him set for a regular role in the bullpen.