MLB Player News

Valdez will be stretched out during spring training in 2021, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Valdez pitched at least two innings in four of his nine relief appearances in 2020, and there's been some speculation that the right-hander could serve as a starter in 2021. Manager Brandon Hyde said that the team will build up his innings during spring training and evaluate his progress at the end of camp. Valdez converted on all three of his save chances and posted a 1.26 ERA and 0.70 WHIP over 14.1 innings in 2020.

Boston manager Alex Cora was noncommittal on naming a closer, a role Barnes held for the final month of 2020, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Barnes has performed a variety of roles over his seven-year career in Boston. He's thrown mostly in high-leverage spots the last four seasons and is expected to be used in the final third of games. Others in the mix at closer are Adam Ottavino, who has experience pitching the ninth inning, and Hirokazu Sawamura (visa issues), who closed in Japan.

Barria has reported to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Barria missed the first several days of camp due to visa issues, but he recently joined the team and is unlikely to be impacted by his brief absence. The right-hander should take on a swingman role for the Angels once again in 2021 after posting a 3.62 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 32.1 innings across seven appearances (five starts) last season.

Hernandez was mentioned as a possible closer by manager Chris Woodward, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez had a breakout season in 2020, sporting a 2.90 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 31 innings. Although he did not have a save opportunity last year, Hernandez often pitched in high-leverage situations earlier in the games for three or more outs. Woodward refused to commit to Jose Leclerc as the team's closer and is mulling over different options for his closer or a no-roles bullpen where usage is determined by game factors.

Leclerc (visa issues) has not yet been named Texas' closer, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rangers manager Chris Woodward held off on naming a closer. "I'll let you know," Woodward said about Leclerc's 2021 role. "He's [closed] before. I think we have a few guys that we could potentially put down there. I don't think I'm going to name a closer right now." The manager also made comments about using multiple pitchers to close games, including Jonathan Hernandez, who had a breakout season in the bullpen.

Abreu shed weight during the offseason, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Abreu's star was on the rise in 2019 when the young right-hander was part of the Astros' postseason roster, but 2020 sapped the momentum. He showed up noticeably overweight following the coronavirus shutdown and threw just 3.1 innings before being jettisoned to the alternate camp. The Astros could use starting depth and are looking for the 23-year-old Dominican to rebound in 2021.

Morejon is likely to spend the beginning of spring camp stretching into a starter, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Morejon split time last season between the bullpen and the rotation, though he never went longer than three innings. His high pitch count came in a postseason start against the Dodgers, when he threw 50 pitches and allowed three earned runs over two innings. Morejon has started each of his 43 minor-league appearances, however, and San Diego clearly sees him as a rotation option in the long term. The left-hander is likely to open the season in the big-league bullpen but could be in line to shift to the rotation if a need arises.

Ponce de Leon is a candidate for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation as spring training begins, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

There are several candidates for the final spot in the rotation as spring training opens, as Carlos Martinez, Alex Reyes and even Johan Oviedo are also in contention. Silver points out that if manager Mike Shildt ultimately opts to go with a more steady presence, Ponce de Leon could be the choice, considering he's performed well overall in his 20 career starts and finished 2020 with a 2.65 ERA and 12.7 K/9 in the 17 innings covering his last three trips to the mound. The 29-year-old right-hander has also proven effective as a reliever, however, so there's also the chance he's a victim of his own versatility if Shildt decides Ponce de Leon's services could be better utilized in the bullpen.

Weathers is projected to be stretched into a starter at the beginning of spring camp, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Weathers made his big-league debut in the playoffs last season, coming out of the bullpen to toss 1.1 scoreless innings against the Dodgers in the NLDS. However, the southpaw has worked exclusively as a starter in the minors, compiling a 3.78 ERA and 108:22 K:BB over 114.1 frames. The 21-year-old is likely to open the campaign in the minors, but he could be a candidate for a big-league roster spot if a place in the rotation opens at some point in the season.

Castillo is throwing regular bullpen sessions but will "take it slowly" during spring training, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Castillo has thrown only two-thirds of an inning since his debut 2018 campaign due to a variety of injuries, so it's logical that the Padres will not rush him back into action. That said, manager Jayce Tingler described Castillo as "full-go," so the left-hander could play a key role in the team's bullpen if he's able to stay healthy.