MLB Player News

General manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Bautista (elbow) has a "very good chance" of being part of the Orioles' Opening Day roster, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

While Elias acknowledged that Bautista likely won't be cleared to pitch in Grapefruit League games until late in spring training, the right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions and has seemingly avoided any setbacks in his recovery from October 2023 Tommy John surgery. The Orioles are still planning to ease Bautista along during camp, but if he shows that he can recapture his pre-surgery velocity and command all of his pitches in spring workouts and appearances, he'll likely head into Opening Day as the team's closer. Bautista had been one of baseball's top-end gamers during the 2023 season, notching saves in 33 of his 39 opportunities while compiling a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110 strikeouts over 61 innings.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Swanson will be "a little behind" due to right forearm fatigue, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The club is proceeding cautiously with the reliever early on in camp, but Schneider believes that Swanson will have enough time to be ready for Opening Day. Swanson struggled in 2024 with a 5.03 ERA and 37:14 K:BB while allowing 11 home runs over 39.1 innings. However, if healthy, his track record (2.39 ERA, 31 percent strikeout rate from 2022 to 2023) suggests a bounce-back season should be in store.

The Tigers placed Lange (lat) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lange hasn't suffered any setbacks since beginning a throwing program in December and has worked up to throwing off a mound twice per week. Still, he will need a while yet before he is ready to return from lat surgery. His roster spot will be given to John Brebbia, who signed a one-year deal with the Tigers on Wednesday.

Brebbia signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Tigers on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 34-year-old's new contract also includes a $4 million club option for 2026. Brebbia had one of the worst years of his big-league career in 2024, accumulating a 5.86 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 55.1 regular-season innings between the White Sox and Atlanta. He has plenty of experience working in high-leverage situations, but the Tigers will likely keep him in a middle-relief role until he can demonstrate consistent success over an extended period of time.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that Garcia will not throw off the mound for a few days due to nerve irritation in his left forearm, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Garcia will play catch Thursday before the Rangers determine the next steps for the southpaw. Young said that the injury is "nothing we're concerned about," indicating that the club is just exercising caution with Garcia for the start of camp. Acquired from the Nationals over the offseason, Garcia is expected to handle high-leverage innings in the Texas bullpen.

The White Sox placed Scholtens (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Michael Taylor, whose signing was made official Wednesday. Scholtens had Tommy John surgery last March and will miss at least the first couple months of the 2025 season.

The Rays placed Lavender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Mason Englert, who was acquired via trade. Lavender was a Rule 5 pick this offseason and is likely to be out until around midseason while recovering from an internal brace procedure, which he underwent last spring.

The Rays acquired Englert from the Tigers on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander Drew Sommers.

Englert will get a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster, with Tampa Bay placing Nate Lavender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding transaction. The 25-year-old right-hander spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo but made 12 appearances (one start) for Detroit, logging a 5.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB In 21.2 innings. Englert will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen if he secures a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster.

Diaz agreed Wednesday with the Mariners on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle removed Diaz from its 40-man roster earlier this month, and after he elected free agency upon clearing waivers, the 28-year-old will now rejoin the Mariners for the start of spring training. He'll presumably get the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen as a long reliever. The Mariners boast a talented rotation that has all five members healthy heading into spring training, but Diaz's prior big-league starting experience could put him high on the list for spot starts if injuries in the rotation stack up at any point. He made five appearances (one start) for Seattle in 2024, covering 9.2 innings and allowing five earned runs on 14 hits and three walks while striking out eight.

Reyzelman was taken to a Tampa-area hospital Wednesday after suffering an allergic reaction prior to a workout, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees relay that Reyzelman is expected to remain hospitalized overnight while he receives treatment and doctors presumably put him through further tests. A 23-year-old right-handed reliever, Reyzelman was a standout performer at Double-A Somerset in 2024, submitting a 1.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB over 22.1 innings.