MLB Player News

Heuer (elbow) might begin the season on the 60-day injured list, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Heuer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery, so him getting a late start to the season was expected. The right-hander doesn't figure to be ready to join the Cubs' bullpen until at least June or so, and even after his return the team will likely be careful with his workload.

Brazoban has yet to report to spring training due to visa issues, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The 33-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season and was expected to compete for a low-leverage spot in the Marlins' bullpen this spring, but any significant delay could cost him that opportunity. Brazoban averaged 97.2 mph with his fastball and posted a solid 28.4 percent strikeout rate with a shaky 14.9 percent walk rate over 27 appearances for Miami in 2022, but he showed sharper control at Triple-A prior to his promotion.

Jimenez is already throwing side sessions and is expected to be fully recovered from offseason back surgery prior to Opening Day, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "Oh, yeah, he's fine," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday.

The right-hander had a breakout season for Detroit in 2022, posting a career-best 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate over 56.2 innings, but a lumbar strain ended his campaign a couple weeks early. Dealt to Atlanta in December, Jimenez should be one of the team's top setup men in 2023 alongside A.J. Minter, and he could get some save chances should closer Raisel Iglesias be unavailable at any point.

Alvarado signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension Friday with a $9 million club option for 2026.

Alvarado and the Phillies avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.45 million deal last week, but this new contract wipes that out and tacks on two, and possibly three, more years. The buyout for the option is $500,000, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so Alvarado is guaranteed at least $22 million. The big left-hander had been slated to hit free agency next offseason. Alvarado put up a 3.18 ERA and 81:24 K:BB over 51 innings for Philly in 2022, earning two saves along the way. He'll be in the late-inning mix for the team again in 2023.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Nelson (elbow) has no limitations this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Nelson officially re-signed with the Dodgers on Wednesday on a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and Roberts has called him a "full-go" for all camp workouts. The 33-year-old did not pitch at any level in 2022 following Tommy John surgery in August 2021, but that is well behind him now. He has past experience as both a starter and a reliever, and Los Angeles could deploy him as a versatile swingman in 2023 if his health cooperates.

Helsley lost his arbitration case against the Cardinals and will make $2.15 million in 2023, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Helsley had asked for a $3 million salary in his first turn through arbitration eligibility. The right-hander registered a dominant 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 19 saves over 64.2 regular-season innings in 2022 before his sudden collapse in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies. He is expected to serve as the primary closer in St. Louis throughout the upcoming campaign.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks' closer role will "be fluid," which means Melancon is not a lock to finish games, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "I haven't yet made up my mind about naming somebody as our ninth-inning guy," the manager said.

Melancon opened the 2022 season as the sole closer, but his grip on the job was tenuous. He finished the year with a 3-10 record, 18 saves and three blown saves and a 4.66 ERA, including stints when he was removed from the role. Lovullo sounds open to the idea of having a fluid bullpen. Beyond Melancon, the manager could be eyeing Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply.

Soto has yet to arrive at Phillies camp due to visa issues, per Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Soto close to the Phillies' facility in the Dominican Republic and can work out there while the visa situation gets resolved. He was acquired from the Tigers in January and projects to operate in a high-leverage bullpen role this year with Philly. Soto should see some save chances but is unlikely to operate as the team's primary closer as he did for Detroit.

Puk will fill a late-inning role in the Marlins bullpen, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The southpaw had been working on a splitter and cutter this offseason to supplement his 96-mph fastball and plus slider in anticipation of a move to the Oakland rotation, but the trade to Miami puts Puk back in the kind of high-leverage bullpen role he excelled in last season. "[The trade] creates a much deeper bullpen, with some guys with swing-and-miss stuff at the back that's going to give our manager some nice options," pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. said Wednesday. "We're probably going to mix-and-match back there. They'll step up and define their roles as we go, but [we have] some guys that have experience back there and it's a much better feeling going into the spring with those guys that we have back there. Lots of options." Puk recorded 20 holds, four saves and four wins in 62 relief appearances for the A's in 2022 with a 3.12 ERA and 27.0 percent strikeout rate over 66.1 innings.

Jameson is expected to compete for the No. 5 starter job this spring, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Jameson started 2022 at Double-A Amarillo before moving on to Triple-A Reno, and he was effective in a four-start stint with the Diamondbacks. The 25-year-old right-hander pitched to 1.48 ERA over 24.1 innings and threw at least six innings in three of his four starts while up in the majors. He and Ryne Nelson are considered the top candidates for the rotation, ahead of Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt.