MLB Player News

Perhaps the most incredible thing about Italy’s win tonight is the top five hitters in the lineup combined to go 0-for-22. It was Kyle Teel, Caglianone and Sam Antonacci from the sixth-through-eighth spots providing all of the offense, which each hitting a homer. The win moves Italy to 3-0 in Pool B play ahead of its game with Mexico on Wednesday. If Italy wins the game, it wins the pool and Team USA advances as the runnerup. If Mexico wins, it sets up a tiebreaker between the three clubs, with the two teams with the fewest runs allowed advancing. Ironically, Team USA’s furious late-inning comeback tonight probably hurt its chances of advancing, just because Italy churned through all of its best relievers and its bullpen will be lacking Wednesday.

The 27-year-old backstop delivered a two-run single in the first inning of this one that increased the Angels’ early lead to 4-0. It proved to be the difference in the ballgame. For the spring, Rivero has hit a respectable .240 (6-for-25) with zero homers and eight RBI.

White Sox’ right-hander Shane Smith actually plunked Zach Neto and Trout in succession to start the game. Trout was pulled from the game and immediately went for precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. He’s considered day-to-day. This shouldn’t impact his availability for the start of the regular season.

The 27-year-old hurler allowed just one hit on the afternoon, though he did walk three batters while also striking out three. He worked himself into a bases loaded jam in the first inning — all via the walk — but escaped trouble as he got Tristan Peters to line out to center field. He allowed just one baserunner the rest of the way, a one-out single to Sam Antonacci in the third. Soriano got 11 swings and misses on 52 pitches on the day — eight of them on his fastball — while registering an elite CSW of 37 percent. His next assignment will be his Opening Day matchup against the Astros.

Smith also issued three free passes on the afternoon while punching out five opposing hitters. All of the damage done against him came in the opening inning as Smith hit the first two batters he faced and then walked Nolan Schanuel to load the bases. Josh Lowe then delivered a one-out single and two runs scored against the bullpen after Smith reached his pitch count and exited. He then returned and worked three scoreless innings to end his day. Let’s hope that he has better command his next time out when he takes on the Brewers on Thursday for his Opening Day assignment.

The 34-year-old right-hander is working his way back from surgery on his quad and has been making substantial progress. He’s slated to pitch in Cactus League games on Friday and Monday, and if all goes well there, it sounds like he’ll be able to be included in the team’s Opening Day bullpen.

The 30-year-old hurler is making progress in his recovery and is set to face live hitters in the next few days, but he’s going to need a bit longer to get ramped up for the regular season. He should be ready to join the Padres’ bullpen at some point in April.

The 28-year-old hurler had been expected to crack the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day bullpen but he struggled to a 10.57 ERA and 2.09 WHIP over 7 2/3 innings during Cactus League competition which may have caused the Diamondbacks to reassess. He’ll attempt to get back on track at the Triple-A level to start the season.

Teams around the league are trying to trim down their rosters as Opening Day looms for next week, so expect nearly every team to make multiple transactions each day over the weekend. Neither Herrera nor Gray was expected to crack the Opening Day roster, so these moves don’t really move the needle for fantasy purposes.

Catcher Drew Romo received the same news. For the time being, both players will remain in big league camp, though it’s possible they could eventually be cut loose if they would like to explore other opportunities. Kelenic, 26, has struggled at the dish this spring, hitting .179 (7-for-39) with a pair of homers, five RBI and two stolen bases.

The Yankees had said all along that regardless of how he performed during the spring, it was likely that the Martian would be starting the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and that’s where he’ll head despite slashing .325/.378/.600 with three homers, 10 RBI and three stolen bases in 45 plate appearances during Grapefruit League play. He has all of the skills to be an impact fantasy contributor, but it’ll take an injury for him to get enough playing time with the Bombers to bring that to fruition.