MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that it's "reasonable to say" that Romano (elbow) will begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Erik Swanson (forearm) is also expected to be IL-bound, which could leave closing duties, at least initially, to Yimi Garcia or perhaps Chad Green. Romano was slated to play catch over the weekend and the hope is that he'll begin ramping up with mound work next week, so it's possible his stint on the injured list is a relatively short one. For now, though, there is no timetable.

Shaw is expected to be included on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Shaw is attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, so the White Sox will still have to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster before he's officially a part of the Opening Day bullpen. The 36-year-old right-hander is heading into his second season in Chicago after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB in 45.2 innings over his 36 appearances. As the most battle-tested reliever in a White Sox bullpen lacking in experienced arms, Shaw could factor into the mix for saves, though younger pitchers such as Michael Kopech and Jordan Leasure boast more powerful arsenals and fit the closer archetype better.

Beeter has been informed that he'll be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Luis Gil has been announced as the Yankees' fifth starter, so Beeter will begin the season in the bullpen as a long man. Beeter has yet to appear in a major-league game, having collected a 3.62 ERA and 165:75 K:BB over 131.2 innings between Double-A Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023.

Alcala (hand) gave up five runs (three earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings of relief Sunday in the Twins' 8-3 loss to the Orioles in Grapefruit League play.

Alcala returned to the mound four days after he left his appearance against the Tigers early due to being struck in the right hand by a line drive. While Alcala was fortunate to avoid structural damage and seemingly needed only a few days off for any pain he was experiencing to subside, his results in his return to the mound were less than stellar. Given that he's missed most of the last two seasons with arm issues and is now sporting a 6.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 10 innings in the Grapefruit League, Alcala may not be a lock for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen. He still has three minor-league options remaining, so Minnesota could elect to send Alcala to Triple-A St. Paul if the organization feels he isn't ready to contribute out of the big-league bullpen.

Santos (lat) will undergo an MRI on Thursday and the results will determine the next steps in his recovery, MLB.com reports.

If the inflammation in Santos' lat has subsided sufficiently, the Mariners will begin mapping out a throwing program. The right-hander still projects to be sidelined for several more weeks, as he'll need to eventually complete a rehab assignment at the minor-league level before being deemed ready for activation.

The Yankees optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Ramirez posted a 6.14 ERA over 7.1 innings during spring training and was unable to earn a place on the Opening Day roster. The left-hander pitched well for the Yankees last season with a 2.66 ERA in 32 appearances, so it's likely just a matter of time before he's recalled in 2024.

The Yankees optioned Marinaccio to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Marinaccio surrendered seven runs with a 6:7 K:BB over 7.1 innings during spring training and won't make the Opening Day roster. He had a 3.99 ERA in 45 outings for the Yankees last season and is likely to receive another look at some point in 2024.

The Yankees optioned Poteet to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

The right-hander was an outside candidate for New York's rotation after Gerrit Cole went down with an elbow injury, but Luis Gil ended up winning the job. Poteet pitched well in camp with a 2.35 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings and could fill a bullpen role later on for the Yankees if he gets off to a strong start at Triple-A.

The Orioles optioned Heasley to minor-league camp Sunday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The right-hander had a 3.52 ERA and 4:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings during spring training but won't be included on Baltimore's Opening Day roster. Heasley was acquired from the Royals in December and had a 7.20 ERA across 15 frames for Kansas City last season.

The Red Sox informed Slaten on Sunday that he's made the Opening Day roster, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The right-hander was traded to the Red Sox after being selected by the Mets during the Rule 5 Draft in December, so he'll need to stay on the major-league roster all season or he'll revert back to the Rangers. Slaten spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.16 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 76:16 K:BB across 51.1 innings, though he also received a late-season look at Triple-A.