MLB Player News

Pearson is attempting to add a split-finger fastball to his arsenal, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

"We're still working on it, but he threw some really good ones today that could be really effective at the major-league level," pitching coach Pete Walker said Sunday. Injuries and control issues have prevented Pearson from reaching his ceiling, but the 27-year-old right-hander still features premium fastball velocity (96th percentile last season) and is trying to find himself as a high-leverage reliever. Toronto's bullpen picture is crowded and Pearson still has a minor-league option left, however, so he might need to dominate this spring to make the Opening Day roster.

White sat 94-95 mph with his fastball during his first bullpen session this spring, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider described the 29-year-old right-hander as "electric", but a February bullpen session is still a long way from big-league success. White has struggled in the majors since being acquired from the Dodgers in August 2022, stumbling to a 7.60 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 55.2 innings, but he did finish last year with an impressive run at Triple-A Buffalo that saw him post a 1.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 43:14 K:BB over his last 33.1 innings (seven starts). White is out of minor-league options, which would seem to lock him into a long relief spot on the Opening Day roster.

Jansen (lat) did some flat-ground throwing Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Jansen is a tad behind schedule after coming into came with a bit of general right lat soreness. However, that he's already progressed to flat-ground work is a good sign. Assuming he's healthy and not traded, Jansen is slated to open the 2024 campaign as Boston's closer.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Monday that Santos (lat) is progressing and will begin ramping up his throwing program in the coming days, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle isn't yet ruling Santos out for Opening Day as he works through right lat soreness, but he'll likely need to navigate his upcoming throwing program without setbacks in order to guarantee that he avoids a stint on the injured list to begin his inaugural campaign with the Mariners. Santos was acquired from the White Sox earlier this month with the expectation that he would be a dependable part of the bridge to projected closer Andres Munoz, coming off a 2023 campaign in which he compiled a 3.39 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 66:17 K:BB in 66.1 innings.

The Tigers announced Monday that White is dealing with posterior right elbow discomfort and will complete a short period of rest before restarting his throwing program, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Though the Tigers seem optimistic that White's elbow soreness will be remedied by a few days of rest, the missed time during camp certainly isn't ideal for a reliever who is far from a lock to win a spot on Detroit's Opening Day roster. As a rookie in 2023, White made 33 appearances (two starts) for the big club, pitching to a 5.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB in 40.2 innings.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that "there is no pecking order" between Leclerc and the other members of the team's bullpen, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy did indicate, however, that he hopes a closer will emerge during spring training and "we will have a guy who will get closing opportunities" come Opening Day. Leclerc rebounded from a sluggish start last season to finish with a 2.68 ERA and 67:28 K:BB over 57 innings. He notched four saves during the Rangers' postseason run and was unscored upon in three World Series appearances. The other prime candidate beyond Leclerc is David Robertson, whose 2023 season was basically the opposite of Leclerc's in that he started strong with the Mets (2.05 ERA, 14 saves) before struggling with the Marlins (5.06 ERA, four saves). Robertson has by far the most closing experience in the bullpen with 175 career saves, but he'll also turn 39 in April. Josh Sborz and Kirby Yates could also potentially be in the mix.

Hendriks (elbow) signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox on Monday, Jen McCaffery and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report. The deal includes a mutual option for 2026.

Hendriks is recovering from Tommy John surgery which he had last August. He is hoping to return around midseason, although that timeline seems a tad optimistic. This is mostly a play for 2025, with the Red Sox hoping Hendriks can rediscover the form that made him a three-time All-Star. Hendriks turned 35 earlier this month.

Krook was acquired by the Orioles from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.

The left-hander was designated for assignment by New York on Tuesday, and Baltimore opted to trade for him rather than risk another team claiming him through waivers. Krook allowed 11 earned runs in four big-league appearances last season but had a 1.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 55:26 K:BB across 34 innings at Triple-A.

Quijada (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last May and is poised to be sidelined for the first half of 2024, so his move to the 60-day IL is hardly a surprise. Quijada had a 3.98 ERA with three saves and 12 holds for the Angels in 2022 and could see some high-leverage chances once healthy.

Brentz (lat) threw a live BP session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brentz missed most of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, and a lat injury during his rehab cost him the rest of 2023 after just three minor-league appearances. It's a long layoff, and the southpaw will likely have to settle for a low-leverage role if he makes the Royals' bullpen out of spring training. The team has focused on making improvements to the bullpen, both by promoting prospects and acquiring players to shore up a weakness the team has dealt with for multiple seasons. Brentz's lone full MLB season in 2021 saw him post a 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 76:37 K:BB with two saves and 15 holds, but high-leverage assignments will be difficult to land in 2024.