Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The right-handed reliever has been slowed since the start of camp by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, and this will be the second time he's faced hitters since the injury. If things go off without a hitch Saturday, Kerkering's Grapefruit League debut should be around the corner. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Kerkering will "possibly" have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Little was unable to find his footing during spring training with four earned runs allowed over 4.2 frames, so he won't make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen. The 25-year-old made just two big-league appearances last season but had a 3.46 ERA across 26 innings with the Cubs in 2024.

The Cubs optioned Rolison to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

The left-hander was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in January, but he'll be cut from big-league camp after giving up seven runs over 4.1 innings during spring training. Rolison made his MLB debut with 31 appearances for Colorado last year and finished with a 7.02 ERA. 1.77 WHIP and 25:20 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Beeter struck out three batters and walked one during his lone inning of work in Tuesday's Grapefruit League win over the Marlins.

After being traded from the Bronx to Washington last season, Beeter turned in a 2.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP to go with a 32:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings. He's followed up his impressive start with the Nats by allowing two runs (both unearned) across three frames in spring training, collecting five strikeouts in the process. The Nationals entered spring camp without a clear go-to choice for ninth-inning work, but the 27-year-old righty seems like a strong contender to open the season as the team's preferred closer based on his recent performance.

Atlanta reassigned Karinchak to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Karinchak did all he could to earn a spot as a non-roster invitee, striking out nine while yielding just one hit and two walks over four scoreless spring frames, but it wasn't enough. The 30-year-old hasn't seen action at the big-league level since 2023, but he could get a chance with Atlanta this season if he gets off to a good start at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta optioned Harris to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Harris has had a great spring, allowing just one run with a 12:2 K:BB over five innings, but it wasn't enough to land a spot on the Opening Day roster. The left-handed reliever will begin the year at Gwinnett but should spend plenty of time with the major-league club in 2026.

Twins manager Derek Shelton said he has no idea who his closer will be this season, but Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports that Sands is still a possibility. "I'm still trying to figure it out. Sometimes, that's the answer where you're trying not to answer it," Shelton said. "I've probably done that before. But right now, I'm trying to figure it out. I don't think we have an idea of what's going to happen."

We wouldn't read too much into this report as Sands is one of a handful of candidates to close or share a committee along with Taylor Rogers, Liam Hendriks, Justin Topa and a series of lefties including Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin, but he has a chance to finish games. Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he took a step back last season with just a 21.4 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent. Sands has given up three runs in five innings with a 4:2 K:BB this spring.

Merryweather (hamstring) played catch Wednesday and did some running in front of the training staff, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Merryweather suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain Feb. 24 and was expected to need about 3-to-4 weeks to recover. It looks like he's candidate to begin the season on the injured list but has yet to be ruled out for Opening Day.

The Orioles reassigned Walker to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

After being outrighted off the Orioles' 40-man roster in January, Walker always appeared to be a long shot to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He's expected to begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk and will likely need to deliver impressive results before potentially resurfacing in the big leagues.

The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Scholtens' bid for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day bullpen has come to an end after he surrendered four earned runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Grapefruit League play. The 31-year-old righty has previously made 28 appearances (11 starts) with the White Sox between the 2023 and 2025 seasons, but it's unclear whether the Rays plan to use him in the rotation or out of the bullpen at Triple-A Durham to begin the upcoming campaign.