MLB Player News

Rossman signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Mets.

Rossman made his MLB debut with the Phillies last year at age 30 and surrendered two earned runs over one inning before heading back down to Triple-A. The right-hander will function as minor-league bullpen depth for New York in 2023.

Santillan (back) is scheduled to pitch a minor-league game Wednesday for the Reds in Arizona, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This will be Santillan's first appearance of the spring -- albeit on the minor-league fields -- as he has been sidelined with a back strain that also saw him miss action during the 2022 campaign. The right-hander is hoping to be ready for his 2023 debut by mid-April, and barring unforeseen circumstances, he'll open the regular season on the injured list.

Bird (oblique) allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 14-2 loss to the Padres in Cactus League play.

Bird faced four batters in his spring debut, which had been delayed after he suffered a left oblique strain early in spring training. The injury initially seemed to put him in line to open the season on the injured list, but as a reliever who never threw more than 43 pitches in any of his 38 appearances in 2022, he probably won't require much time to build up. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com, Bird is listed among the Rockies' available relievers for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

Cubs manager David Ross told reporters that Assad is lined up to pitch Thursday for Chicago, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hayden Wesneski is listed as Thursday's probable starter, and it's worth pointing out the two are currently in a battle for one of the final starting spots in Chicago's rotation. Assad impressed in his time with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, and he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs if he doesn't open the season in the starting rotation.

Machado was touching 98 mph with his fastball while pitching for Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander is also out of minor-league options, which could give him a leg up on winning one of the final spots in the Nationals' bullpen. Machado also has a 5:0 K:BB through three scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play, so he's done just about everything he can this spring to earn a job. The Nats' bullpen is very unsettled behind Kyle Finnegan, so if Machado's stuff has taken a step forward this offseason, he could work his way into some high-leverage work before long.

Banda is the only healthy left-handed reliever left in the Nationals' big-league camp and figures to be part of the Opening Day bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old journeyman pitched for three different teams in 2022 with poor results, but Banda has struck out 12 batters in 9.1 innings this spring without allowing a homer. The Nats have gone without a southpaw in their bullpen in the past, so his spot is far from secure; however, if he does break camp on the 26-man roster, Banda figures to work in middle relief rather than seeing consistent high-leverage action.

Ward remains in the mix to break camp as part of the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Ward would have to be offered back to the Red Sox if he doesn't make the roster, giving the Nats extra incentive to find room for him. The 26-year-old right-hander hasn't been a reliever since college and the adjustment to the bullpen this spring hasn't exactly been smooth -- seven of his eight Grapefruit League appearances have been scoreless, but his 11:6 K:BB through 8.2 innings highlights both his upside and his inconsistency. Ward's future might still lie in the rotation, but if he sticks in Washington, expect him to be used primarily as a low-leverage long reliever to begin his big-league career.

Harris could break camp in the big-league bullpen, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander has yet to make his MLB debut, but Harris has ridden his plus splitter to a 0.00 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across eight innings this spring. The Nationals' bullpen picture is extremely murky behind Kyle Finnegan, so if Harris does win a spot, he could work his way into high-leverage spots fairly quickly. Even if he begins the season with Triple-A Rochester, he could be one of the first arms called up when the Nats' bullpen needs reinforcements.

Phillips is expected to be utilized by the Dodgers "in the most important situations" this season, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

That will equate to save situations on occasion but also earlier in games in a "fireman" role. The Dodgers do not plan on having a set closer to begin the season, but Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has written that Brusdar Graterol and Daniel Hudson (knee) -- once healthy -- have the best shot to emerge at closer if the team eventually lands on one guy. The news hinders Phillips' outlook a bit for fantasy purposes, but it's a bullpen situation that's far from settled.

Alzolay is slated to start Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs have said Alzolay is exclusively being viewed as a reliever this spring, but he's set to start his first Cactus League contest Wednesday. The righty likely won't work too deep into the game and the outing may resemble a multi-inning relief appearance, which could be Alzolay's typical usage this year. Alzolay made only six appearances last season due to a lat strain, all of which came out of the bullpen, but he did start 21 games back in 2021.