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MLB Player News

  • Rafael Montero RP | NYY

    Yankees' Rafael Montero: Delayed by visa issues

    Montero has yet to report to the Yankees' camp due to visa problems, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    Montero inked a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training last week, but he's yet to report. It shouldn't greatly affect his preparation as long as his absence doesn't stretch on too long, but it will not help Montero's longshot bid to win a bullpen job.

  • Royals' James McArthur: Will be eased in this spring

    McArthur (elbow) is considered healthy but will be eased into a throwing program this spring, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

    McArthur had surgery last offseason to insert two screws into his right elbow to help stabilize a stress fracture. He then had another procedure in July to remove the screws after they had caused an allergic reaction in his elbow. McArthur wound up not pitching at all in 2025, but he's been throwing off the mound for a few months. He was also diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain prior to the first elbow surgery, so it's no surprise the righty is being slow-played this spring after all the missed time. McArthur should have enough time to be ready for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks.

  • Lucas Erceg RP | KC

    Royals' Lucas Erceg: Throwing off mound in Royals camp

    Erceg (shoulder) is throwing off the mound in Royals camp, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

    Erceg's 2025 season ended in mid-September due to a right shoulder impingement, but he doesn't seem to have any restrictions in the early stages of spring training. The reliever collected a 2.64 ERA and 22 holds last season but saw a year-over-year drop in strikeout rate from 28.5 percent to 19.3 percent. As long as he's healthy, Erceg should produce more swing and miss in 2026 and will serve as a setup man ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.

  • Edwin Uceta RP | TB

    Rays' Edwin Uceta: Headed to doctor after setback

    Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Uceta (shoulder) will visit the doctor after he "didn't feel great" the longer he played catch Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Uceta reported to camp with a sore shoulder and has now encountered a setback. More will be know following Uceta's visit to the doctor, but even if he doesn't have structural damage he will need time to get built up. A stint on the injured list to begin the season looks like a distinct possibility. Uceta, if healthy, is among the Rays relievers in the mix to serve as closer this season.

  • White Sox's Seranthony Dominguez: Confirmed as closer

    Manager Will Venable officially named Dominguez as the closer for the White Sox to begin the 2026 season, James Fegan of Sox Machine reports.

    Dominguez joined the White Sox on a two-year, $20 million deal in late January, which presumably lined him up to be the team's closer. Venable left no doubt during comments to the media early in spring training, clearly tabbing Dominguez for the ninth-inning role. Interestingly, Brian Bannister, the White Sox's director of pitching, credited Dominguez's introduction of a splitter for his reduced home-run rate in 2025 and believes it can carry over into 2026 due to its ability to neutralize lefty power.

  • Bowden Francis RP | TOR

    Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Sent to 60-day IL

    The Blue Jays placed Francis (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

    Francis will miss the entire 2026 season after the Blue Jays recently revealed that he would need reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, so his move to the 60-day IL was merely procedural. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Ben Cowles, whom the Blue Jays claimed off waivers from the Cubs.

  • Josh Hader RP | HOU

    Astros' Josh Hader: Plays catch Wednesday

    Hader (biceps) played catch out to 90 feet Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    Hader is still in the early stages of his throwing program after he was briefly shut down earlier this month when he experienced inflammation in his left biceps. Prior to that, Hader missed the final month and a half of the 2025 season while recovering from a left shoulder strain, but he appeared to have a normal offseason before the biceps issue cropped up following his fourth bullpen session of the winter, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader still has a chance of completing his throwing program in advance of Opening Day, but if he suffers a setback or otherwise requires a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season, Bryan Abreu would likely rank as the top option for saves out of the Houston bullpen.

  • Jose Soriano RP | LAA

    Angels' Jose Soriano: Nabs start for Cactus League opener

    Soriano (forearm) is scheduled to start the Angels' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Dodgers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

    Soriano missed the final two weeks of the 2025 season while recovering from a right forearm contusion, but he seemingly moved past the injury quickly during the offseason and reported to spring training with no limitations. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki has already confirmed that Soriano has locked down a rotation spot, and the right-hander could even challenge Yusei Kikuchi for the Opening Day nod. Soriano wrapped up the 2025 campaign with a 10-11 record, 4.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 152:78 K:BB across 169 innings over 31 starts.

  • Dan Altavilla RP | MIN

    Twins' Dan Altavilla: Shows increased velocity

    Altavilla was sitting at 97-98 mph with his fastball during Tuesday's live batting-practice session, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. He averaged 96 mph on his fastball last season with the White Sox.

    Altavilla is in camp on a non-roster invitee contract and will also be pitching for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. There are jobs to be won in the Twins bullpen, and this alone won't win him that spot, but it's a nice first step.

  • Twins' Simeon Woods Richardson: Competing for rotation spot

    Woods Richardson will be competing for a rotation spot this spring and is out of options, giving him a good chance of making the Twins out of spring training in some capacity, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

    With Pablo Lopez (elbow) likely out for the season with a significant UCL tear, suddenly the Twins have three spots open in the rotation. Woods Richardson is competing with Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews, David Festa and Mick Abel.

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