MLB Player News

Kaprielian is taking steps in his recovery from AC joint irritation but won't be ready to pitch in an MLB game before late April, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The oft-injured righty is beginning the season on the wrong foot, but he at least hasn't been completely shut down. He'll throw off a mound Saturday and will advance to live batting practice in early April. A minor-league rehab stint is expected to follow, which means he'll miss at least two or three turns in the major-league rotation to open the year.

Glasnow (elbow) and the Rays agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $5.1 million contract to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Though he's expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2022 season, Glasnow will get a $1.1 million pay increase after he had performed at a Cy Young-worthy level (2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 123:27 K:BB over 88 innings) through 14 starts in 2021 before he eventually required Tommy John surgery for his right elbow. Glasnow, who also underwent surgery last week to remove loose bodies from his right ankle, is expected to rest for the next 2-to-3 weeks before restarting his throwing program. Before having his ankle scoped, Glasnow had been playing catch off flat ground from about 75 feet three times a week, according to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.

Quantrill signed a one-year, $2.51 million deal with the Guardians on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Quantrill recorded a 2.89 ERA last season, but it took some good luck in the form of a .267 BABIP and an 80.0 percent strand rate to get him there. He struck out just 19.6 percent of opposing batters, and while his 7.6 percent walk rate was better than average, that combination doesn't typically add up to an ERA below 3.00. He's locked into a rotation spot this season after spending part of last year in the bullpen, but a repeat of last year's performance seems unlikely.

Syndergaard will make his first appearance of spring in a minor-league contest Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Syndergaard recently stated that he has been able to throw without restrictions in bullpen sessions, but the Angels prefer to have him begin with a game against minor-leaguers so that they are better able to control his outing. The caution is reasonable considering that the right-hander is coming off a season during which he pitched only two major-league innings after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Syndergaard signed with the Angels on a one-year, $21 million contract last November.

Manning tossed two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

Manning should have a rotation spot locked up to begin the season, but the recent addition of Michael Pineda likely bumps the former to the No. 5 position. That means Manning could get skipped when the team has more off days, and he could always lose the spot if he doesn't pitch well. Tyler Alexander would seem to be the top candidate to supplant Manning at some point in the season. A strong spring could help Manning earn a little job security, though.

Stripling agreed to a one-year, $3.79 million contract with the Blue Jays on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Stripling will set his sights on earning a spot in Toronto's starting rotation after getting his new deal sorted out. He's coming off a 2021 campaign in which 19 of his 24 appearances were starts, though he'll likely open the year in the bullpen unless someone ahead of him gets injured or Toronto opts for a six-man rotation.

Baz underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Baz was in line for a spot in the Rays' starting rotation to begin the season, but he'll now be shut down from throwing for 2-3 weeks following his procedure. Since the right-hander will require time to build up following his shutdown, he'll presumably begin the 2022 campaign on the injured list and will likely head to Triple-A once healthy to essentially simulate his lost spring training. He showed promise in his first taste of major-league action last year, as he posted a 2.03 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 13.1 innings across three starts. However, Ryan Yarbrough, Josh Fleming and Jalen Beeks will now be candidates for a starting role to begin the regular season.

Albers agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Drayer notes that Albers was present Monday at the organization's big-league camp, so he looks as though he'll have a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation or in the bullpen as a long man. The 36-year-old lefty made five appearances (three starts) for Minnesota in 2021, turning in a 7.58 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB across 19 frames.

Roby (elbow) resumed facing hitters during the Rangers' fall instructional camp and is expected to enter the 2022 minor-league season with no restrictions, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

A 2020 draft pick who made his professional debut in 2021, Roby submitted a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35:7 K:BB across 22 innings in his first six starts with Low-A Down East before he was shut down in mid-June with a right elbow strain. He was fortunate to avoid Tommy John surgery, and after treating the injury with extended rest and recovery, Roby looked dominant once again in his limited action in instructional ball, most notably tossing an immaculate inning during one of his appearances. The Rangers may send him back to Down East to begin the 2022 campaign, but if he's able to immediately pick up where he left off last year, a promotion to High-A Hickory could come quickly.

Houck allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring-training game against the Orioles.

Houck allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Ramon Urias, then walked three and could not get out of the third inning as planned. He described it to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com as knocking off the rust. "You can throw as many (live batting practices) and bullpens as you want but getting in the game situation is definitely a little bit different. First one's out of the way. I felt good. Mixed in all the pitches." Houck, who pitched as both a reliever and starter in 2021, received the news that he will open the season in the starting rotation. The right-hander will likely pitch the third game of the season, April 10, in primetime against the Yankees.