MLB Player News

Abreu and Robert Ahlstrom were sent from the Yankees to the Rangers on Saturday in exchange for Jose Trevino.

Abreu had been expected to break camp in the big leagues, and that's presumably still true for his new team, as he's out of options. The 26-year-old righty tossed 26.2 innings of relief last season, struggling to a 5.15 ERA while walking 12.2 percent of opposing batters, so he's likely to find himself in a low-leverage role.

Karinchak (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Karinchak is currently shut down from throwing as he recovers from a teres muscle strain in his right shoulder. He should resume throwing soon but presumably won't be ready for game action right away. His poor season last year and Emmanuel Clase's emergence put some distance between Karinchak and the closer role, though a bounce-back performance should at least position him to be one of the top options if Clase gets hurt.

Pilkington has made Cleveland's Opening Day roster, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Pilkington has been a starter throughout his minor-league career, but the Guardians don't appear to have a rotation spot open for now, so he'll presumably work in relief. He's yet to pitch above Double-A, but his 3.04 ERA and 30.8 percent strikeout rate in 22 appearances at that level last season suggest he should have the stuff to get major-league hitters out.

Bazardo was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Bazardo made a pair of relief appearances for the Red Sox last year, but he'll be forced to begin the 2022 campaign in the minors. Across 11 relief appearances in Worcester last season, he posted an 8.74 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Crochet (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Crochet sustained an injury in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against Cincinnati, and he'll be forced to miss the 2022 campaign and a sizable portion of next season following his procedure. The White Sox had hoped that the southpaw would be able to transition to a starting role by 2023, but his lengthy layoff could affect that plan.

Brash was officially announced as a member of Seattle's Opening Day rotation Saturday.

Brash has yet to pitch above Double-A, though he's actually already spent time on the major-league roster. He was called up in the final week of last season but didn't get into a game. Brash wasn't a particularly high pick in the 2019 draft, going 113th overall, but he broke out last season, posting a 2.31 ERA in 20 outings split between High-A and Double-A. He struck out an impressive 35.1 percent of opposing batters, though he'll need to improve on his 11.9 percent walk rate. He'll be making a big jump this season, but the Mariners clearly have faith in him.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Saturday that Oller will take on a bullpen role for the Athletics to begin the 2022 campaign, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Oller was informed Friday that he'd made the Opening Day roster, and he'll serve as a multi-inning reliever to begin the year. The right-hander made eight starts at Triple-A Syracuse last season and posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 44 innings. He'll be one of the top options to fill in as a spot starter if needed.

Clase signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Guardians on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Clase and the Guardians ramped up extension talks in recent days, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement ahead of the regular season. The right-hander is in line to reprise his role as Cleveland's closer to begin the 2022 campaign after he converted 24 of 29 saves with a 1.29 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 69.2 innings across 71 relief appearances last year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Friday that Abreu will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Abreu has looked great this spring, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings during which he has allowed only one hit and posted a 6:0 K:BB. Beyond the Grapefruit League success, the right-hander's security on the 28-man roster is buoyed by the fact that he's out of minor-league options. Abreu got his first extended look in the majors last season, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB across 36.2 relief innings.

Borucki (hamstring) will undergo an MRI, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Borucki left Friday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Pirates due to right hamstring discomfort, and his MRI should help provide clarity on the extent of the injury. He's made four appearances this spring and has allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings.