MLB Player News

Mayza might be of a closer by committee for the Blue Jays early in the season while Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are sidelined, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports

Mayza should probably be third in priority for fantasy managers here, but he could be manager John Schneider's pick when the opposition has lefties due up in the ninth. The southpaw is coming off a 2023 season which saw him put up a 1.52 ERA and 53:15 K:BB over 53.1 innings.

Garcia could be part of a closer by committee for the Blue Jays while Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are out, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

It sounds like manager John Schneider doesn't plan to settle on one guy during what the team hopes is a short absence for Romano and Swanson. Mitchell lists Chad Green at the top of the pecking order, followed by Garcia and Tim Mayza. Garcia collected three saves while compiling a 79:15 K:BB over 66 frames for Toronto in 2023.

The Blue Jays are expected to use a closer by committee while Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are sidelined, with Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza in the mix, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

For what it's worth, Mitchell lists Green at the top of the pecking order. Green posted a 5.25 ERA and 16:4 K:BB over 12 innings last September after returning from Tommy John surgery. He gave up seven runs in 7.2 innings this spring, although that came with an 11:1 K:BB. Green, Garcia (three saves in 2023) and Mayza (one save in 2023) are all worthy of speculative adds, but with no clear leader in the hierarchy and Romano hopefully back soon, FAAB investments should be relatively modest.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Wednesday that Swanson (forearm) will begin the season on the injured list, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's confirmation of what had been expected, though an official IL move is still pending. Swanson has been throwing on flat ground as he works his way back from right forearm tightness, and a return to mound work is expected soon. With both Swanson and Jordan Romano (elbow) out, the Blue Jays are expected to use a committee at closer to start the season. Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza seem to be the most likely candidates.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Wednesday that Romano (elbow) will begin the season on the injured list, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The skipper had indicated Monday that an IL stint for Romano was a strong possibility, and now he's confirmed it. The good news is Romano seems to be on the mend and the hope is that he will be ready to resume throwing off a mound next week. With Erik Swanson (forearm) also out, Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza are in the mix for early-season saves in Toronto's bullpen.

The Blue Jays optioned Pop to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Toronto demoted Pop and Yariel Rodriguez one day before its season opener at Tampa Bay, likely signaling that Wes Parsons and Nate Pearson have secured the final spots in the club's Opening Day bullpen. Pop, who owns a 3.94 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 107.1 innings over parts of three seasons in the majors, will likely be up with Toronto at some point in 2024, but he'll likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen whenever he's summoned from Triple-A.

The Astros informed Mushinski on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Mushinski is likely to be one of three lefties in the Houston bullpen along with closer Josh Hader and middle reliever Bennett Sousa. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a 4.91 ERA over 22 career big-league frames, but Mushinski looked sharper during Grapefruit League play this spring, tossing nine scoreless innings while striking out 10 and working around five hits and five walks.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Blanco will open the season in the Astros' rotation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Espada gave Blanco the good news in the dugout Tuesday after the pitcher fanned 10 over 4.1 innings in an exhibition start against Triple-A Sugar Land. While Blanco is in line to receive at least a couple starts, his hold on a rotation spot is tenuous with Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) on the mend.

Durate will travel with the Twins for their opening series at Kansas City and is likely to be added to the active roster with Josh Staumont suffering a knee injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Duarte is not on the 40-man roster, so the Twins will need to make a move to add him to the active roster. Duarte has had a good spring with a 2.92 ERA and a 12:0 K:BB ratio in 12.1 innings. He'd likely be used in low-leverage situations initially.

Zuniga earned the final bullpen spot on the Angels' roster, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Zuniga gave up seven earned runs over 9.2 innings during Cactus League play, but he will remain in the majors to begin his first season with the Angels. The right-hander spent most of last season with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, accumulating a 7.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 30.2 frames. His command issues will almost certainly cause him to pitch exclusively in low-leverage situations.