MLB Player News

Leclerc (elbow) is trending towards a return in mid-to-late June, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Leclerc underwent Tommy John surgery in late March of last year. He remains on a fairly standard timeline and should have the chance to be available for just over half the season. Once he returns, it's possible he pushes for the closer job, given that preseason favorite Joe Barlow doesn't seem to be anything special. Jonathan Hernandez will also return from Tommy John surgery around that time and could also challenge for the role.

Naughton was designated for assignment by the Angels on Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Naughton made his MLB debut last season but failed to impress. In 22.2 innings, he struggled to a 6.35 ERA, walking 14 batters while striking out just 12.

Honeywell is expected to start Friday's Cactus League opener against the Angels and pitch two innings, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander arrived in Oakland via trade with the Rays in November, and the organization will waste no time in seeing what they have in the talented, yet oft-injured, acquisition. Once one of Tampa Bay's top prospects, Honeywell missed three full seasons due to various injuries before impressing at Triple-A Durham in 2021 and subsequently logging the first three big-league appearances of his career. His exact role to open the 2022 season is expected to be fleshed out during spring training.

Gibaut signed a minor-league deal with Cleveland on Thursday, according to Fusion Sports Agency.

Gibaut spent the majority of the 2021 season in the Twins organization at Triple-A St. Paul. He pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen but struggled to a 6.80 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. He'll have the opportunity to earn a role in Cleveland's bullpen during spring training, though he'll have to substantially improve his results to do so.

Alexander is set to start the Tigers' fifth game of spring training Tuesday against the Phillies, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Alexander is expected to begin the regular season as the team's fifth starter, but veteran Chase Anderson was also added to the mix Monday on a minor-league deal. Alexander has the ability to swing between the rotation and bullpen, though he'd certainly have more fantasy value as a starter. The lefty will be looking to make a good first impression Tuesday in an effort to secure the rotation spot.

Valdez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday which includes an invite to big-league camp.

Valdez recorded eight saves for Baltimore last season but struggled overall with a 5.87 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB over 46 innings. He could earn a spot in the big-league bullpen but is unlikely to find himself in a high-leverage role for the Angels.

Iglesias will fill a conventional closer role this season and is not expected to be used for more than one inning, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Iglesias was the Angels' unquestioned closer last season, recording 34 of the team's 39 saves. That won't change this year, but what will apparently change is his usage. Iglesias recorded at least four outs in 16 of his 65 appearances last season, something which the Angels are now looking to avoid. That could slightly reduce the righty's overall workload, but his overall value shouldn't change significantly.

Lopez will be stretched out to potentially serve as a starter this season, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Lopez made 25 of his 33 appearances last season as a starter, but he finished in a bullpen role. The 29-year-old struggled to a 6.07 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP across 121.2 innings while posting a 3-14 record. He's posted an ERA north of 6.00 in each of the last three years, so he's unlikely to be more than a fifth starter should he land in the rotation, and it's very possible he ends up in a multi-inning relief role at some point.

Adam joined the Rays on a one-year, $900,000 deal Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 30-year-old righty was non-tendered by the Cubs after posting a 5.91 ERA in a small sample of 10.2 innings last season, but the Rays evidently saw enough to offer him a major-league deal. His appeal is likely related to his ability to miss bats, as he owns a 37.0 percent strikeout rate in 24.1 innings across the last two seasons, which should theoretically be high enough to offset his 13.0 percent walk rate.

Fulmer got added competition for the Tigers' primary setup role with the addition of Andrew Chafin on Wednesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Gregory Soto is expected to be the team's closer heading into the season, which would leave Fulmer and Chafin in setup roles. Fulmer did have 14 saves and nine holds in 2021 to go with a 2.97 ERA, so he should definitely see high-leverage work moving forward. With Chafin a lefty and Fulmer a righty, manager A.J. Hinch could just play the matchups with his top bullpen options. Either would see a boost in value if they replaced Soto as the closer at any point.