MLB Player News

Harris had his contract selected by the Nationals on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It's a cool story, as the 29-year-old Harris will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game following eight years in the minors with four different organization. He earned the bullpen spot by allowing just one run with a 7:2 K:BB over 10 Grapefruit League innings.

Hudson (knee) returning by late April "seems doable," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told MLB.com on Monday.

It looks to be a rough timetable at this point. Hudson's recovery from last June's ACL surgery has gone more slowly than anticipated, and he will remain at extended spring training at the beginning of the season. Eventually, the reliever will go out on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers' bullpen. Hudson figures to be in the mix for saves at some point, but that could be awhile.

McGough struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's spring game against the Guardians.

McGough will be one of the options that manager Torey Lovullo uses to close games, and that the right-hander took the mound in the ninth fuels speculation he could get the first crack at being the primary closer. "I like his tempo, his rhythm, the way he stands on the mound, the carry on his fastball, the ability to throw two or three pitches at any time," Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "He executed very well tonight." McGough has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 9.1 Cactus League innings.

Garcia has a 5:5 K:BB through five innings in Cactus League play, and he has allowed two runs, one of which came on a home run.

Garcia also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, allowing one run and posting a 2:1 K:BB in 2.1 frames. The veteran reliever has struggled with his control at times in his career, though he's posted the best walk rates of his career in the past two campaigns. Garcia is expected to be one of the Padres' top setup men this season, especially with Robert Suarez (arm) and Drew Pomeranz (elbow) likely to begin the campaign on the injured list. He picked up a career-high 20 holds last season and could be impactful in fantasy leagues that count that statistic in 2023.

With Rowan Wick outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Boxberger and Michael Fulmer should be the clear top options at the end of games for the Cubs.

Boxberger and Fulmer already had a path to regular save chances according to previous report, but now they have less competition at the end of games. The two veterans may alternate in the closer role in the early going, though one of them could emerge with the job on a more regular basis. Boxberger only had one save last season with Milwaukee but did turn in a strong 2.95 ERA across 64 innings.

With Rowan Wick outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Fulmer and Brad Boxberger should be the Cubs' primary options at the back end of games.

It was previously reported that Fulmer and Boxberger were viewed as the leading candidates to close, and this news should cement those two at the back of the bullpen. It remains to be seen if one of the pitchers will emerge as the primary closer. For now, fantasy managers should keep tabs on both of the veterans as the regular season approaches.

Kuhnel is likely to be on the Opening Day roster for the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Kuhnel is likely the final bullpen option with Bennett Sousa being optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday by the Reds. The right-hander has posted a 2.53 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP over 10.2 innings of work in the Cactus League in 10 appearances. He'll likely be a bridge to Alexis Diaz in the middle innings to begin 2023.

Sousa was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Sousa joined the Reds at the end of February after being designated for assignment by the White Sox, and he's now set to begin the 2023 campaign in the minors. He was unable to find much success with Chicago a season ago, finishing with an 8.41 ERA and 1.72 WHIP with a 12:10 K:BB across 20.1 frames, but he should be in the mix for a mid-season promotion.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Monday's spring game against the Angels that Hudson's knee responded better than it previously had after his most recent time on the mound, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Hudson is starting the 2023 season on the injured list because of his knee trouble, and the right-hander will remain at Camelback Ranch in Arizona rather than travel with the Dodgers for Opening Day. The right-hander could be an option for the Dodgers at some point in the middle of April and may be inline for save chances once he returns.

Weathers is likely to start the fifth game of the season for the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Acee notes how well Weathers has pitched this spring, and it's worth pointing out that the left-hander made changes to his delivery before the season that appear to have paid off. The southpaw will likely be on the bump for Monday's start against the Diamondbacks with a chance to earn more starts for San Diego if he pitches well in the early part of the season.