MLB Player News

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.

Canterino has thrown live batting practice this spring and is fully healthy entering spring training after working his way back from August 2022 Tommy John surgery, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Canterino, a 2019 second-round draft pick, was a rising pitching prospect when last on the mound in 2022 as he posted a 1.83 ERA with a 13.2 K/9 in 34.1 innings at Double-A. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A and be on a limited pitch count in the spring as he works his way back to full speed. Once fully healthy, he could advance quickly if he can reduce his walk rate (5.8 BB/9 at Double-A in 2022).

The Red Sox traded Schreiber to the Royals on Saturday in exchange for David Sandlin, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Though he missed nearly two months of the season due to a shoulder strain, Schreiber instantly becomes one of the top relievers in Kansas City's bullpen after posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 46.2 frames in 2023. The 29-year-old right-hander often served in high-leverage situations over the past two years and could be in the mix for save opportunities with his new club.

Shaw signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Saturday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Shaw will return to the White Sox after putting up a 4.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 45.2 innings with Chicago last season. The Sox don't have a particularly strong bullpen, making it possible the 36-year-old righty makes the Opening Day roster, but he will still have plenty of competition in camp.

Mata is out of minor-league options, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

As such, the Red Sox will need to trade the right-hander or designate him for assignment if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. Mata has thrown only 110 minor-league innings across the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2021. He opened 2023 as a member of the rotation at Triple-A Worcester before further injuries set in. Upon his return in September, he moved to the bullpen. That's a role the organization feels might be a better fit for Mata, who will need to improve his control to win a big-league job this spring. Justin Slaten, a Rule 5 selection, also needs to be kept on the major-league roster all season, and the Red Sox may not have room for both.

Karinchak is behind schedule due to right shoulder fatigue, MLB.com reports.

Karinchak came into camp with the issue and will be held out of workouts for a few days. His availability for Opening Day doesn't seem to be in jeopardy, however.

The Yankees placed Trivino (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim McKinley Moore. Trivino will be out until around midseason as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery.

The Yankees claimed Moore off waivers from the Phillies on Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Moore struggled in his brief time with the Phillies and has always had poor control, but he also boasts a 33 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors. The 25-year-old is likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start 2024.

McMillon (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

McMillon made four appearances in August for the Royals before getting shut down a forearm strain, but he was throwing off a mound by the end of the season. It seems likely the 26-year-old will be able to go through a normal spring. He allowed one run on a home run and struck out eight over his first four major-league innings last season and could contend for a high-leverage role in 2024.

The Blue Jays are building up Francis to serve as a starter, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The vast majority of Francis' minor-league appearances have come as a starter, though he has yet to begin a game on the mound through 21 MLB appearances. Francis holds an impressive 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 37 career big-league frames, but even if he has a solid spring as a starter, he would need some attrition ahead of him to earn a spot at the back of Toronto's rotation.