MLB Player News

Jansen won't make his scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday against the Twins due to lower-back tightness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox aren't concerned and think Jansen could be ready to pitch as soon as Tuesday, so his absence shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day. Jansen had previously been limited by a lat issue and has made just one appearance this spring. It's not an ideal way to prep for the season, but as a one-inning reliever, the 36-year-old closer shouldn't need as much ramp-up time as other pitchers.

Murphy is experiencing soreness in his left elbow and will undergo an MRI on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Murphy is competing for a spot in Boston's bullpen, but the injury looks as though it could threaten his availability for Opening Day. The southpaw posted a 4.91 ERA and 49:17 K:BB over 47.2 relief innings with Boston last season.

Jacques was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Jacques was knocked around this spring, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks over four innings. He will give the Red Sox some left-handed relief depth at Worcester.

Santos, who suffered a mild lat strain Monday, is still "waiting to get things calmed down" before officially beginning a rehab routine, MLB.com reports.

The update comes directly from manager Scott Servais, who's counting on Santos to play a key seventh- and eighth-inning role this season. Santos has already been ruled out for Opening Day, however, and it's likely extra caution is taken with the restart date of his baseball activities considering he's also already dealt with a shoulder problem this spring.

Brash (elbow) has "picked up his throwing quite a bit" according to manager Scott Servais and could be ready for game action shortly after Opening Day, MLB.com reports.

Brash has now upped his throwing distance to 110 feet after hitting the 90-foot threshold early in the week. The next step for Brash is to progress to begin throwing off a mound, and once he's successfully completed that phase of his rehabilitation, he's likely to log game action at the minor-league level before being deemed ready to face big-league hitters.

Anderson is a projected member of the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen, per the updated roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Anderson's thrown a string of zeros all spring, allowing three hits and striking out seven over 6.1 scoreless innings. Of note, the 26-year-old right-hander has not yet walked a batter.

Church is listed as part of the Opening Day bullpen in the updated roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Church has impressed this spring and put himself in position to make his MLB debut. The right-hander has allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out 10 over nine Cactus League innings.

Brentz exited Sunday's spring training game against the Brewers with a trainer, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It appears that Brentz may have injured his hamstring, and he exited after grimacing in pain. The pitcher had been having a rough spring with six earned runs allowed, eight strikeouts and 11 walks in 4.1 innings entering the outing.

The Royals announced Sunday that Ragans will start their Opening Day game March 28 versus the Twins at Kauffman Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After being acquired from the Rangers last June, Ragans was a revelation for the Royals upon stepping into the big-league rotation. Over his 12 starts with Kansas City to close out last season, Ragans posted a 2.64 ERA and 89:27 K:BB across 71.2 innings. He's carried that momentum over to the Cactus League this spring, allowing four earned runs over 8.2 innings while striking out 10 and issuing just two walks. Ragans' lack of an established track record makes it tough to bank on him completely repeating his hot run to end the 2023 season, but he should continue to pile up strikeouts even if his ERA takes a dramatic turn for the worse.

Robertson is poised to begin the season in a setup role after Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday there is a "strong possibility" Jose Leclerc will open as the closer, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Robertson was never likely to fully usurp Leclerc from the job during spring training, but there seemed to be a chance Bochy might utilize a committee approach. Robertson will instead begin the campaign in a setup role, which significantly dampens his fantasy outlook. The 38-year-old is still likely to be the next man up and should see occasional save chances even if Leclerc is pitching well.