MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that May will have workload limitations during the 2023 season, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

May will be returning for his first full season since recovering from Tommy John surgery, so it's not a surprise that he won't handle a full workload. However, Roberts declined to say how the team would opt to limit May's innings. Therefore, it's possible that May will have turns skipped through the rotation, have his workload limited on a per-start basis, or he'll be shifted to the bullpen for periods throughout the campaign.

Painter has been working on a cutter during the offseason, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

One of the top pitching prospects in the league, Painter is in big-league camp and could push for a rotation spot early in the season if he impresses this spring. He already boasted four offerings -- a fastball, slider, curve and changeup -- but also has reportedly thrown a cutter during bullpen sessions with J.T. Realmuto. Painter delivered an impeccable 1.48 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 103.2 innings last year, topping out at Double-A Reading.

Kershaw is facing "challenges" to get cleared to play in the World Baseball Classic, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw is still listed on the Team USA roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, though both he and U.S. general manager Tony Reagins acknowledged he has yet to be cleared to pitch in the event. There were no specific reasons provided, though Harris noted that the most common delay is related to players obtaining insurance. Kershaw has been limited to 126 and 122 innings, respectively, in the last two seasons due to both shoulder and forearm inflammation in addition to back soreness, though there's no indication at this point that he's currently dealing with an injury.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday that Kopech (knee) doesn't have any lingering issues this spring, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech reported early to White Sox camp in Arizona and has already completed a couple of successful bullpen sessions. "He's on pace," said Grifol. "He's in a good spot." The 26-year-old was limited to 119.1 innings (25 starts) last season due to knee and shoulder issues, but he appears to be locked into a regular spot in Chicago's starting rotation heading into 2023.

Blackburn (finger) enters spring training fully healthy after his 2022 season ended due to a tear of the flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

"I feel really good right now," Blackburn said Wednesday, adding that he's been pain-free since beginning a throwing program two months ago. Blackburn made the All-Star team in 2022 after posting a 3.62 ERA in 18 first-half starts, but he struggled in three second-half outings before the injury. The 29-year-old's fantasy ceiling is quite limited since he plays for the A's and doesn't get strikeouts, but he could still be a solid innings-eater if he stays healthy.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Ashby (shoulder) will be out for "a couple of months," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

McCalvy brought some left shoulder fatigue into Brewers camp, and it has since been diagnosed as inflammation. The 24-year-old left-hander will likely be fully held out of Cactus League action before landing on the injured list just ahead of Opening Day. Expect more clarity later this spring on a mapped-out timeline for his 2023 season debut.

Hamels (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Presumably, he's getting an invitation to spring training as part of a deal which would be worth $2 million if he's in the majors, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The San Diego native made one start in 2020 and none the last two seasons, but he isn't ready to hang it up yet at 39 years of age. Hamels had shoulder surgery back in November of 2021 but reportedly looked good in an audition for teams in January. Obviously, he's a long shot to be a significant contributor at this point, but on a minor-league deal there's little downside from the Padres' perspective.

Maeda (elbow) threw about 40 pitches Thursday in his first bullpen session of the spring, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Park notes that Maeda only topped out at around 89 mph, but that is to be expected at this point for a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery. The 34-year-old right-hander is now more than 16 months removed from that procedure and is expected to have a spot near the back of the Twins' season-opening rotation. There's certainly some intriguing bounceback upside in Maeda's outlook for 2023.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Kikuchi has made encouraging adjustments to his delivery, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

"I love what I've seen out of Yusei so far," said Schneider. "He's made some small tweaks with his arm path and spent a lot of time in the offseason working on it." Kikuchi is expected to contend with Mitch White this spring for the final spot in the Jays' season-opening starting rotation. The 31-year-old left-hander struggled to a 5.19 ERA in 100.2 innings last season for Toronto.

DeSclafani (ankle) said Wednesday he is 100 percent healthy and expects to have a bounce-back campaign in 2023, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Ankle surgery ultimately cut DeSclafani's 2022 campaign short after five starts and 19 innings, during which he posted a 6.63 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. The right-hander underwent surgery in July, and while his status is worth monitoring in camp, he should be in the mix for a rotation spot once the season begins. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports it's possible the Giants could use six starters at times this season, which would make it easier for DeSclafani and other pitchers to get up to speed early in the campaign.