MLB Player News
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Could pitch Tuesday after live BP
Kerkering (hamstring) said after throwing a live batting practice session Saturday that he expects to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Kerkering has been held out of spring training games while rehabbing from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He appears to have progressed enough in his recovery to be available for Tuesday's contest, and the 25-year-old right-hander is aiming to pitch in three games before Opening Day. Kerkering appeared in 69 games for the Phillies in 2025, finishing with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, four saves and a 65:27 K:BB across 60 innings.
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Richard Lovelady RP | NYM
Mets' Richard Lovelady: Catches on with NYM
The Mets claimed Lovelady off waivers from the Nationals on Saturday.
Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Tuesday, and the 30-year-old southpaw will call New York home once again after being claimed by the Mets. The move corresponds with the Mets placing Justin Hagenman (ribs) on the 60-day injured list, and Lovelady would seem to have a path to making the team's Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen since he's out of minor-league options. Lovelady appeared in 10 regular-season games between the Mets and Blue Jays in 2025, posting an 8.49 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 11.2 innings.
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Clay Holmes RP | NYM
Mets' Clay Holmes: Fans six in return from WBC
Holmes gave up one run on two hits over five innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out six without walking a batter.
Seeing his first action for the Mets this spring since returning from a stint in the WBC with Team USA, Holmes entered the game in the fifth inning and went the rest of the way, tossing 44 of 62 pitches for strikes. The veteran righty has looked good in the Grapefruit League, posting a 2.84 ERA and 13:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings, but it's not quite clear where Holmes fits in New York's starting picture unless the team commits to using a six-man rotation. Kodai Senga appears to be healthy and back in peak form, while David Peterson has done nothing this spring to lose his spot.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Mets' Devin Williams: Looking good this spring
Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless inning during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
The 31-year-old right-hander entered the game in the fourth inning and gave up a couple singles to Connor Norby and Graham Pauley (forearm), but Williams got Christopher Morel to ground out to end the threat. Williams is looking to rebound in 2026 with the Mets after one shaky season for the Yankees in which he posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA and lost his hold on the closer job. So far this spring, he's delivered a 2.25 ERA and 5:1 K:BB in four innings.
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A.J. Minter RP | NYM
Mets' A.J. Minter: Looking good in live BP
Minter (lat) hit 93 mph with his fastball in a live batting practice session Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
That's still a little below his usual velocity, but Minter also worked in his changeup and cutter during the mound session, with the latter pitch getting Francisco Lindor (hand) to exclaim, "That was sick." Minter hasn't pitched in a game since April 26, 2025, but he's hoping he'll be ready to rejoin the Mets' high-leverage crew by late April this season. "Honestly, it feels way better than I expected it was going to feel," Minter said of his repertoire after Friday's session.
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Yimi Garcia RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Yimi Garcia: Praised by skipper
Garcia (elbow) threw off a mound Saturday for the first time this spring, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Manager John Schneider noted that Garcia is a "huge part" of Toronto's bullpen and that it was "pretty cool" to see him back up there. It has already been confirmed that Garcia won't be ready for Opening Day, but he will continue his throwing progression and should return to a late-inning role early in the season if he avoids setbacks.
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Edwin Uceta RP | TB
Rays' Edwin Uceta: Throws off mound
Uceta (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
This is the first time Uceta has thrown off a mound since getting a cortisone shot for shoulder inflammation in mid-February. It was reported March 2 that Uceta was unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but he hasn't been ruled out yet. Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker are the top candidates for high-leverage work in the meantime.
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Raisel Iglesias RP | ATL
Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Fans two in perfect frame
Iglesias struck out two in a perfect fifth inning during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
The veteran closer fanned minor leaguers Jonathan Ornelas and Ernesto Martinez while firing 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. Iglesias has a 3.00 ERA and 3:0 K:BB in three spring innings as he gets ready for Opening Day, but unlike 2025, he may not be able to afford a slow start to the season and still keep his job with Robert Suarez now in the Atlanta bullpen. Iglesias held a 6.00 ERA as late as June 17 last year, but after that point he posted a 1.34 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 44:10 K:BB over his last 40.1 innings while converting 21 of 22 save chances.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Early favorite for saves
Ben Joyce (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list and Robert Stephenson (shoulder) recently suffered a setback, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange-County Register reports, which positions Yates to potentially begin the season as the favorite for saves in Anaheim.
Yates signed with the Halos on a one-year contract in December, with GM Perry Minasian indicating when the deal was announced that the veteran will need to earn closing opportunities. The 38-year-old has given up one earned run with three strikeouts and a walk over three innings during spring training, but he struggled to a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 50 appearances for the Dodgers last year. The Angels also added Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano to the bullpen mix this winter, but Yates should be at the head of the pack, at least until Joyce and/or Stephenson are available.
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Alan Rangel RP | PHI
Phillies' Alan Rangel: Sent to Triple-A
The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.
Rangel was never a likely bet to break camp with the big club, and his struggles during spring training (eight earned runs allowed with a 4:4 K:BB over 7.2 innings) solidified his fate. Rangel should begin the season as a rotation piece for Lehigh Valley, where he had a 4.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 24 starts last year.