MLB Player News

Fleming focused on improving both his cutter and curveball this offseason and is looking forward to working in multiple roles again if asked, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "I'm excited for whatever role they put me in, whether it's starting, whether it's coming out of the bullpen," Fleming said. "Whatever it is, I'm ready for it."

Manager Kevin Cash remarked Friday that the southpaw "competes as well as anybody in the organization." Fleming was impressive working in a starting/bulk-reliever role in 2020, finishing the campaign with a 5-0 record, 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across seven appearances (five starts). Given the premium Cash places on flexibility with his pitching staff, Fleming is aiming to make himself even more useful by enhancing his pitch arsenal and is looking to break camp once again serving as a jack-of-all-trades during the coming season, with potential starting opportunities in play given the turnover in the Rays rotation this offseason.

Beede (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's not clear when exactly Beede is expected to return from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in March of last year, but this transaction makes it clear that he'll remain out for the beginning of the upcoming campaign. The move clears a space on the 40-man roster for the Giants to add Jordan Humphreys, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

Gott cleared waivers Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Gott allowed 13 runs in 11.2 innings last season and owns a career 5.01 ERA, so it's no surprise to see him pass through waivers unclaimed. He'll remain an organizational depth option for the Giants going forward.

Hand appears to be the Nationals' closer but may not be fully locked into the job, with manager Dave Martinez merely saying Friday, "In a perfect world, he'll be our closer," Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

It's possible all it takes to qualify as a "perfect world" in Martinez's mind is that Hand remains healthy this spring, something that shouldn't be too difficult given that he hasn't hit the injured list since 2014. If that's all the manager meant, there's little reason to worry here, but it's nevertheless strange to see Hand given less than a full endorsement. He sure looks like the closer after saving 103 games over the last four years while posting a 2.61 ERA, so there's probably not much reason to worry unless the Nationals continue to refer to him in somewhat ambiguous terms.

Chavez signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The veteran right-hander posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 95 innings for the Rangers over the past two seasons, but he'll receive a chance to showcase himself in camp with the Angels. Chavez had a 2.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 92:17 K:BB over 95.1 innings during 2018 and should be able to earn a roster spot if able to recapture that form.

Frias (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

The 22-year-old was unable to report to spring training at the start of camp after testing positive for the virus, but he's been cleared to join the team. Frias didn't end up missing significant time, so he shouldn't have any issues being ready for the start of the regular season.

Hearn will be stretched out this spring, but he does not yet have a defined role, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers still view Hearn as a starter long term, but he was used out of the bullpen in 2020. The left-hander had a 3.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 23 and walking 11 over 17.1 relief innings last season and looks to be used in a similar fashion in 2021.

Puk could face hitters in live batting practice "pretty soon" according to manager Bob Melvin, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The big lefty has already looked good in his early bullpen sessions as he rounds back into shape following another injury-marred season in 2020. Melvin's proclamation supports the notion Puk hasn't suffered any setbacks with his activity level thus far, and it therefore appears likely the team will test him by elevating him to live hitters soon.

Manaea is already looking more confident and efficient with his pre-delivery movement during early bullpen sessions after some targeted offseason training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw went into the offseason with some momentum after going 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA over his final seven regular-season starts, and he got right to improving certain physical and mental aspects of his game. Manaea worked with a trainer on improving mobility and durability that strengthened his internal abductors, leading to what appears to be improved mechanics. The 29-year-old also put in time with mental performance coach and former college teammate Tyler Pazik to sharpen his confidence and killer instinct on the mound, a resource he plans to continue availing himself of during the regular season.

Fulmer will start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer will be making his first spring training start since 2019, as he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery this time last year. The Tigers handled the 27-year-old very cautiously in his return from the surgery, but perhaps he's allowed to take on an increased workload in 2021.