MLB Player News

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.

Duffy is stretching out as a starter this spring but could also make the Rangers' Opening Day roster as a starter or reliever, Jeff Wilson of Rangerstoday.com reports.

Duffy is currently in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he is set to compete with Cody Bradford, Adrian Sampson and some of the team's prospects to earn a roster spot. He has battled arm injuries during the last two seasons and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, but he is currently healthy and could take advantage of the Rangers' lack of pitching depth. Duffy was with the Rangers' organization in 2023, pitching as a reliever for Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, but he stretched out as a starter in the Puerto Rican Winter League. There, the left-hander didn't allow an earned run over 15.2 innings while striking out 19 and limiting opponents to a .161 batting average.

The Marlins will limit the amount of innings Perez pitches in 2024, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The Marlins have yet to decide on a number, but the team figures to bump Perez up from the 128 innings he pitched last season (91.1 in MLB). The 20-year-old right-hander ended 2023 on the injured list due to inflammation in his shoulder but posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP alongside a 108:31 K:BB while healthy. He is expected to be a part of Miami's Opening Day rotation.

Ynoa (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery near the end of the 2022 season, causing him to miss the entire 2023 campaign. Although manager Brian Snitker said Ynoa looked "great" during his first throwing session of the spring, the 25-year-old's availability for the beginning of Grapefruit League play remains unknown.

Gil will be stretched out to start this spring, but the Yankees are open to the possibility of shifting him to a relief role, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

The Yankees remain high on Gil's potential as a starting pitcher, but they could have more of an immediate need in the bullpen. Clayton Beeter is also a possibility to shift to relief. Gil was limited to just two rehab starts in 2023 after coming back from Tommy John surgery but has arrived to spring training without restrictions.

Rodon sat in the mid-90s and touched 97 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Martino notes that Rodon was sitting in the 90-to-92 mph range during his early live batting practice sessions last year and, of course, then went on to have an injury-shortened, disappointing season. Rodon reported to camp this spring early and in better shape, and there is growing internal optimism about the left-hander's chances of bouncing back in 2024, per Martino.

Cortes (shoulder) said Thursday that he's already thrown four live batting practice sessions this spring, YES Network reports.

A left rotator cuff strain limited Cortes to just 12 starts last season, with the last one coming in early August. He's been throwing for most of the offseason, though, and it doesn't appear he'll face any restrictions during spring training. A healthy Cortes and Carlos Rodon would go a long way in stabilizing the Yankees' rotation.

Matz (lat) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, the first day for pitchers and catchers at Cardinals camp, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz was limited to 105 innings in 2023, posting a 3.86 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 25 appearances (17 starts) before being shut down in August. It's encouraging that the southpaw is throwing to begin camp after avoiding offseason surgery. The Cardinals focused on pitching in the winter, but Matz is still penciled in for a rotation spot regardless of if the team breaks camp with a five-man or six-man unit. From a fantasy perspective, the injury-prone 32-year-old is a low-end option after showing significant year-to-year inconsistency, but he should be considered fully healthy once he gets into spring games.

Williams hasn't yet reported to spring training as he awaits the birth of his child, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The right-hander will remain home in San Diego until the arrival of his family's newest addition. Williams is penciled in as the Nationals' No. 5 starter to begin the season despite stumbling to a 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 144.1 innings during 2023, but the eventual return of Cade Cavalli (elbow) could bump the veteran to the bullpen over the summer.