MLB Player News

Jansen is a bit behind in Red Sox camp due to an offseason illness, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Jansen had to put a pause on his winter workouts because he and his family got sick. However, there's plenty of time for the veteran reliever to play catch-up and be at or near 100 percent come Opening Day. He inked a two-year, $32 million free-agent contract with Boston in December and projects to serve as the club's primary closer in 2023.

Duran bowed out of the World Baseball Classic because of a mild hamstring injury, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Duran is all good now -- he's been throwing regular bullpen sessions at Twins camp -- but he decided to remove himself from consideration for the Dominican Republic's bullpen when he experienced a bit of hamstring tightness last month. The 25-year-old burst onto the MLB scene in 2022 and is expected to have a share of the closer role in Minnesota this season. Jorge Lopez looks like the primary frontrunner for saves.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday that Hendriks (illness) will be around the team for spring training, but an update on any timeline for the pitcher's return to baseball activities won't come until at least Opening Day, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Hendriks revealed Jan. 8 that he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and while the 34-year-old is seemingly in good spirits since beginning treatment, his baseball career will be put on hold while he battles the disease. The White Sox haven't yet announced a replacement at closer while Hendriks is out, but Kendall Graveman -- who saved six games and notched 27 holds in 2022 -- seemingly represents the most logical fill-in option to begin the campaign.

The White Sox expect Crochet (elbow) to return in mid-May, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The lefty, nearing the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, will sit out the White Sox's Cactus League slate before likely beginning a rehab assignment in April. Crochet posted a 2.82 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 54.1 relief innings in 2021, and he could be a valuable piece of Chicago's bullpen if he returns to form following April 2022 Tommy John surgery.

Sewald (heel/elbow) is a full-go for the start of spring training, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Sewald had a procedure on both of his heels during the offseason called Tenex, and he also had some loose bodies removed from his elbow. Those procedures were "minimally invasive" according to Brock, so they won't cause the right-hander to miss Cactus League time, as once feared. Sewald has been one of the most effective relievers in baseball over the last two seasons, and while he isn't guaranteed an overwhelming majority of chances in 2023, the combination of his ability to miss bats and a solid amount of save opportunities makes him a fantasy-relevant hurler for the upcoming campaign.

King (elbow) said Wednesday that he's thrown about 10 times from a mound over the past six weeks, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

King is not only throwing off the mound, but he's using all of his pitches and has already faced live hitters. The right-hander believes he'll be ready for the start of the season after missing the final two months of 2022 because of a fractured elbow that required surgery. Assuming he continues to make steady progress as spring training unfolds, King should be a strong late-inning option for the Yankees during the 2023 campaign.

Winder will be developed as a starter during spring training, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Winder was able to make 11 starts and 15 total appearances for the Twins in 2022, and while there were some flashes in his time with Minnesota, he ultimately finished with a 4.70 ERA over 67 innings of work. The right-hander will have a chance to win the fifth starting spot, but there's just as much risk in his profile -- if not more -- than there is reward.

Munoz (ankle) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Munoz was immobilized for 12 weeks (six in a cast, six in a walking boot) following surgery shortly after the season to fuse two bones together in his right ankle. However, he began a throwing program a while ago and has now progressed to mound work. Barring any setbacks, the hard-throwing reliever will be ready to roll for Opening Day.

Alcala (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday in Twins camp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Alcala required arthroscopic debridement surgery last August on his right elbow, but he appears to be 100 percent now and could quickly return to a high-leverage relief role this season in Minnesota. The 27-year-old boasts a 3.39 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 87.2 career major-league innings.

The Astros claimed Gage off waivers from the Blue Jays on Monday.

The addition of Gage fills the final opening on the Astros' 40-man roster. Before the Blue Jays designated him for assignment earlier this month, Gage posted a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings with the big club to go with a 2.34 ERA in 41 appearances at Triple-A Buffalo in 2022. The lefty will get a chance to win one of the final spots in the Houston bullpen during the Grapefruit League.