MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Heading into spring training, Anderson seemed to be a leading candidate to earn saves for the White Sox this season, but a rough showing in Cactus League play was enough to remove him from consideration for an Opening Day bullpen spot entirely. Over his seven spring appearances, Anderson yielded eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and four walks over six innings. The White Sox have yet to name a closer as Opening Day approaches, though manager Will Venable said two weeks ago that Mike Clevinger ranks near the top of the list for the team's options in the ninth inning.

Hanifee will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

He ultimately got the call over Jason Foley, who was surprisingly optioned to Triple-A Toledo earlier Wednesday. Hanifee spun 10.2 scoreless innings this spring with a 9:3 K:BB and held a 1.84 ERA and 23:6 K:BB across 29.1 regular-season frames with the Tigers last season. He's better at getting groundballs than strikeouts and will likely serve in middle relief.

The Rays recalled Bigge from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Bigge was optioned to Triple-A last week, but a spot on the Opening Day roster opened back up for him after the Rays placed Shane McClanahan (triceps) on the 15-day injured list. McClanahan's injury clears room in the rotation for Drew Rasmussen, while Bigge will fill the final opening in the Tampa Bay bullpen. Bigge impressed in his first taste of the big leagues in 2024 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings between stops with the Cubs and Rays, but he may have to settle for low-leverage relief work to begin the upcoming season.

The Tigers optioned Foley to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Foley allowed five runs over 7.1 innings during Grapefruit League play but also had a 10:0 K:BB. The 29-year-old led the Tigers with 28 saves last season and had seemed to be firmly in the picture to close heading into 2025, but Detroit will give him time in the minors first to sharpen up. Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest are among the candidates to see save chances for the Tigers in what looks like a murky situation for fantasy.

The Angels designated Quijada for assignment Tuesday.

Quijada will fall short in his bid for a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen after giving up 11 earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in just 7.1 innings during Cactus League play. He'll be joined on waivers by Angel Perdomo, freeing up two roster spots for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson.

The Angels designated Perdomo for assignment Tuesday.

Perdomo split his spring between the Atlanta and Los Angeles organizations, giving up six runs (two earned) while striking out eight batters across 10 total innings. The left-hander doesn't have any options remaining, so he'll be stripped of his 40-man spot as the Halos attempt to send him to Triple-A Salt Lake. Jose Quijada was also DFA'd, creating room for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson to join the active roster.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Church has made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The skipper mentioned Church as a possible closer candidate earlier in camp, and Church's impressive strikeout stuff certainly warrants him being in that conversation. However, the 23-year-old righty finished Cactus League play with four runs allowed in 8.2 innings, so save opportunities now seem likely be split between Luke Jackson, Chris Martin and Robert Garcia to begin the season.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Weissert has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Weissert allowed six earned runs in one of his eight spring training appearances, but he had scoreless outings in the other seven. The righty had his best season yet in 2024, notching a 3.13 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 63.1 innings.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Kelly has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Kelly allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts across 7.2 innings in his seven appearances during spring training. The righty began the 2024 season well, posting a 1.53 ERA across his first 29.1 innings. However, he had a 6.59 ERA across his next 27.1 innings, which resulted in him being optioned to Triple-A Worcester in September. He will look to use his spring training as jumping point to recapture what he had in the first half of 2024.