MLB Player News

Bello threw his slider during a live batting practice session Thursday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Adding a slider was a point of emphasis for Bello during the winter. "I felt more comfortable with that pitch," Bello said. "I feel like I can throw it in any count. [Thursday] in live BP, I used it and felt really good about it. So it was a good offseason for that pitch." The slider could be a good third pitch to go with a filthy sinker and changeup. The right-hander said he also plans to use a four-seamer outside the zone to elicit chase. Additionally, the 24-year-old worked on his lower half and back during the offseason, hoping not to wear down over the course of the season. Bello hit a wall late in 2023, losing his final three starts, including the final two outings in which he allowed 13 runs over nine innings. That brought his overall record to 12-11 and swelled his ERA from 3.68 to 4.24.

Soroka (forearm) is penciled into a rotation spot, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soroka ended the 2023 season on the injured list but threw about 40 pitches in a bullpen session Friday without issue. Problems staying on the mound are nothing new for Soroka, as he has managed only 46 big-league innings across the last four seasons. If he manages to stay healthy for the rest of spring training, he'll get a chance to take a consistent turn in a big-league rotation for the first time since 2019.

Bradley is a favorite to win a rotation spot in camp, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bradley got his first taste of the majors in 2023 and suffered through some inconsistency. However, he's more comfortable heading into 2024 and has also made tweaks to his cutter to make it a more effective pitch. The right-hander is projected to slot in at the back of the Rays' rotation behind Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell.

Baz (elbow) expects to begin the season in extended spring training before starting a rehab assignment, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz threw around 20 pitches in his first bullpen session of spring training Friday and felt good afterward. The right-hander suggested afterward that he may not be able to contribute to the big-league club until the summer. The Rays have announced no formal plan, but it appears to be a near certainty Baz won't begin the regular season on the 26-man roster.

Bieber will have no restrictions to begin spring training, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bieber dealt with elbow inflammation in the middle of 2023, the second time in three years he's missed a large portion of the season. He had a pedestrian 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 107:34 K:BB over 128 innings across 21 starts last year. The right-hander is still considered the Guardians' staff ace heading into 2024, so it's a good sign that he's beginning the spring healthy.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that the team's tentative plans have Means (elbow) making his season debut in April, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

When exactly in April the left-hander is expected back isn't clear, but at least there's now a timeline on record. Means experienced a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October, and he remains about a month behind the team's other starters to begin camp. With Means and Kyle Bradish (elbow) slated for stints on the injured list to begin the season, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin have the inside tracks on spots in Baltimore's rotation.

Cortes (shoulder) said Friday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cortes missed a large chunk of the 2023 season with a left shoulder strain. He noted Friday that he'd had trouble getting over the hump with his shoulder earlier this offseason while throwing on his own, but once he shifted his rehab to the Yankees' spring training complex in December, things have been trending up. Cortes is tentatively lined up to pitch one of the Yankees' exhibition games in Mexico City on March 24-25.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Verlander's (shoulder) arm is feeling good following Thursday's bullpen session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The pitcher looked to be throwing at less than 100 percent effort in the session, but it's nonetheless a positive development that he experienced no issues a day later. By Verlander's own tally, it was the fourth time he's thrown off a mound since an offseason "hiccup" with his shoulder. It's unclear when the veteran right-hander might be ready for Grapefruit League action.

Means (elbow) conceded Friday that it's unlikely he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Thursday that Means is one month behind schedule as he rebounds from a left elbow flare-up last October. While it seems as though he's recovered from the elbow issue, Means still needs time to build back up. He'll join Kyle Bradish (elbow) on the IL, creating a pair of early-season vacancies in the O's rotation.

Miller, who's projected to open the season in the bullpen, was already "lighting up the radar gun" in his first official bullpen session of spring Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller averaged 98.3 mph on his fastball as a rookie last season, but he was limited to just 10 appearances (six starts) due to a UCL sprain on his throwing elbow and posted a solid 3.78 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 33.1 total innings. Miller was managed carefully upon returning from a four-month absence in September while working as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 12.0 K/9 and 0.8 HR/9 across the 12 frames he logged over the final month of the campaign. With a four-pitch arsenal that also includes a slider, cutter and changeup in addition to his elite fastball, Miller could well earn some closing opportunities and will be limited to two innings per outing at most during spring training, per manager Mark Kotsay.