MLB Player News

Crochet added 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 21-year-old Crochet worked on his body during the offseason in preparation for what should be a full-time role in the White Sox's bullpen. The organization still feels he's a starter long-term, but his successful MLB debut as a reliever in 2020 has the decision-makers thinking he can be a useful bullpen piece for a team with World Series aspirations in 2021.

Hudson (elbow) remains likely to miss the entire 2021 season, but he's holding out hope that he can make a September return, even in a relief capacity, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "Mentally, I'm waiting on September," Hudson said. "I'm waiting and I'm doing my work, trying to hit my marks. And then I'm just trying to stay on pace to where that's an opportunity to compete at the end of the year. Be available is the ultimate goal."

The right-hander's Tommy John surgery unfolded in September 2020, making the 12-month mark the first realistic opportunity he'd have to return to live action. Hudson is set to continue his intensive rehab program during spring training and is shooting for March 15 as a date to begin playing catch. If Hudson ultimately isn't able to toe the rubber again until 2022, it won't be for lack effort; the 26-year-old is already drawing raves from manager Mike Shildt for his mindset and work ethic during the rehab process, with the Cardinals skipper noting "he's super dedicated to what he's doing, how he's doing it."

Anderson spent most of the offseason in St. Petersburg instead of his native Minneapolis to work out at a new facility with the goal of enhancing mobility and strength, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander took his normal amount of time off after the Rays' postseason ended, which means he's a bit behind what is his typical spring schedule. Nevertheless, Anderson has already thrown one bullpen session and is set for another in the coming days as he begins gearing up for the new campaign. After a dominant regular season during which he posted a career-best 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP across 19 appearances, Anderson clearly struggled with fatigue in the postseason while giving up at least one earned run in each of his last seven October appearances.

Arano's arrival at camp has been delayed by visa issues, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

A handful of players have faced similar delays as international travel remains complicated due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delay should wind up nothing more than a minor blip in a fairly long run of misfortune for the 26-year-old, who owns a career 2.65 ERA in 74.2 innings of relief at the highest level but threw just 4.2 frames in 2019 and none in 2020 while dealing with arm troubles. Arano flashed high-leverage promise before those issues began, though Atlanta will likely be happy if he merely bounces back as a serviceable middle reliever.

Herget passed through waivers unclaimed Saturday and will remain with Texas as a non-roster invitee to spring training.

Herget did produce a 3.20 ERA in 19.2 innings last season, but that came with a 17:14 K:BB, so it's hardly a surprise that he wasn't a hot commodity on the waiver wire. He'll remain with the team but is now one step further from returning to the big leagues now that he's off the 40-man roster.

Thornton is stretching out as a starter in camp, though the Blue Jays may wind up using him in a relief role, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton made three starts last season but lasted a combined 5.2 innings and gave up seven runs. He was shut down with an elbow injury, though he's throwing without restrictions to start camp. In a full season as primarily a starter in 2019, his 4.84 ERA certainly didn't turn many heads. A bullpen role is his clearest path to big-league innings this season, though he could wind up remaining stretched out as a starter in the minors.

Yang doesn't have any expectations to start for the Rangers, Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net reports.

Yang, who had been delayed by visa issues, spoke with Korean reporters prior to his trip across the Pacific on Saturday, saying, "I'll be competing for an opportunity just pitch in the big league, not a rotation spot. My goal is to throw a pitch on the big stage." While the Rangers' rotation is short on established arms, the veteran lefty is probably correct in his self-assessment. As a non-roster invitee, it would be a victory for him to just win a roster spot, especially after stumbling to a 4.70 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in the KBO last season. He won't be of much interest to fantasy teams unless he unexpectedly finds himself in a rotation role.

Heller (biceps) signed a minor-league deal with Arizona on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Heller recently passed through waivers unclaimed, so it's no surprise he had to settle for a minor-league contract. Heller owns a 2.59 ERA in 31.1 career innings at the major-league level, though that's not remotely supported by his 5.57 FIP. He threw just six major-league innings last season before ending the season on the injured list with a biceps nerve injury. It's not clear whether or not the injury is still affecting him.

Mayza (elbow) is feeling good after throwing bullpens and live batting practice sessions, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Mayza is almost fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in September of 2019. He's yet to throw on back-to-back days, but he should have time to fully build up by Opening Day. He's only in camp as a non-roster invitee, however, so he may open in the minors even if he proves his health.

Zimmermann will get bulk innings in 2021 and could serve as a starter or reliever for the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Zimmermann made two appearances (one start) in 2020 and pitched at least three innings in both outings. He isn't guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, but manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that the team will continue to get bulk innings during spring training. Zimmermann could serve as a back-end starter to begin the season, but Hyde indicated that the Orioles will also consider him for a bullpen role.