Abreu is expected to open the season as the Astros' closer while Josh Hader (biceps) recuperates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader is throwing off the mound again and might not miss much time, but manager Joe Espada ruled him out for Opening Day. Abreu has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four regular seasons, posting a 2.30 ERA and 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Hader will get his closer job back, if healthy, but he remains an injury risk, so it's not out of the question that Abreu's stint as closer lasts indefinitely.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader (biceps) will begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader returned to the mound with a bullpen session Tuesday, which went well. However, he's simply going to run out of time when it comes to Opening Day. Espada did not offer a timetable for Hader's season debut, but it seems that the reliever's absence could be brief if he continues making strides in his recovery from left biceps inflammation. Bryan Abreu will open the season as Houston's closer.

Soriano allowed one hit and struck out four batters without issuing a walk over five scoreless innings in a Cactus League start against San Francisco on Monday.

Soriano had this start pushed back almost a week due to an illness, but he showed no signs of the ailment Monday. The right-hander breezed through a Giants lineup that included Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, yielding just one baserunner on a second-inning single. Soriano retired the final 11 batters he faced and got through his five frames on 60 pitches. Per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, the hurler's fastball reached triple digits after he averaged 97.3 mph on the offering last season. This was a nice bounce-back for Soriano following a rough start to the spring slate during which he allowed seven runs over 3.2 innings across two starts.

The Tigers announced Tuesday that Effross has been shut down with a left oblique strain, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Effross felt his oblique tighten after his last Grapefruit League appearance Saturday. It's unclear how long he might be shelved, but Effross was already facing long odds to make the team, given that the non-roster invitee has yielded four runs on six hits and five walks over 2.2 innings this spring.

The Tigers purchased De Jesus' contract Tuesday, adding him to the 40-man roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The left-hander joined Detroit as a non-roster invitee in December, and he allowed three unearned runs with seven strikeouts and one walk across 6.1 innings during spring training. He also allowed just one run while striking out eight over five frames in his start for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. De Jesus made his MLB debut in 2023 with two appearances for Miami but spent the past two seasons pitching in the Korea Baseball Organization.

Hader (biceps) said that it was "all positives" during a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Throwing from the mound for the first time since he developed left biceps inflammation prior to reporting to Astros camp, Hader was pleased with his velocity, the action on his pitches and his mechanics during the bullpen session. When asked about his potential availability for Opening Day, Hader didn't dismiss the possibility, saying only, "we'll see." The consensus is that a stint on the 15-day injured list to begin the season is likely, but it's possible Hader could change the Astros' minds if he looks good over the next couple weeks.

Mears allowed three runs on three hits over one inning in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

Mears was done in by the long ball, surrendering back-to-back homers to Steven Kwan and Brayan Rocchio with two outs in the fifth inning. After being acquired by the Royals from the Brewers in December, the reliever has made four Cactus League appearances, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks across four innings, with Monday's outing accounting for much of that damage. Coming off a 3.49 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 56.2 regular-season innings last year with Milwaukee, Mears figures to slot in as a middle-relief option in the Kansas City bullpen for 2026.

Cruz allowed no hits or walks across 1.1 scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

Cruz entered to record the final out of the seventh inning before retiring the side in order in the eighth frame. Monday marked his third scoreless outing of the spring, though it was the first time the right-hander failed to record a strikeout after punching out a pair in each of his first two appearances. The 26-year-old's fastball, which averaged 98.2 mph last season, sat at 96.6 mph against the Guardians, though velocity dips during spring training are common and not overly concerning unless they persist into the regular season. Cruz will look to continue producing strong results in Cactus League play as he competes for a spot in the big-league bullpen to open the 2026 campaign.

Crochet allowed three runs on five hits while striking out two over 4.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Phillies. He also hit a batter.

Crochet's third Grapefruit League start didn't yield pretty results, but the left-hander was pleased overall with his execution, per Sean McAdam of MassLive.com. His velocity was down, but Crochet explained that was more a function of building arm strength and tinkering with mechanics. Philadelphia touched him for two runs in the second inning, which were aided by a couple of softly hit, well-placed singles. A third run was charged to him when a runner stole home after Crochet departed the game. Pitching into the fifth inning and hitting 59 pitches (42 strikes) leaves Crochet on schedule for Opening Day against the Reds on March 26.

Alberto won't make a scheduled appearance Monday versus the Rockies due to back tightness, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Alberto is expected to be ready to pitch in a day or two, so he's not believed to be dealing with a significant setback. The 24-year-old is trying to win a bullpen spot with the White Sox after being plucked in the Rule 5 Draft. Alberto has yielded three runs with a 4:2 K:BB over five innings so far this spring.