MLB Player News

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Melancon has a shoulder issue and will likely miss the beginning of the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo previously said the veteran reliever was battling arm fatigue and emphasized that Melancon was fine. Now that it seems like Melancon will be sidelined for the start of the season, the door opens for other relievers like Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin to pick up some saves early in the year.

With Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger viewed as the Cubs' top closing options, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Hughes may have to settle for setup work.

Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the team in the offseason and have plenty of experience in big relief spots, so it makes sense that the Cubs view them as their top closing options. Hughes did pick up eight saves toward the end of last season, though he may also be Chicago's only left-handed reliever to start this year; therefore, the team may use him at different points in games based on matchups. The 27-year-old may see his fantasy value diminish if he's not closing out contests, but he could have some appeal in leagues that count holds.

Wilson (elbow) began a flat-ground throwing program and has been "progressing nicely," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Wilson signed with the Brewers in February while in the process of recovering from the Tommy John procedure he underwent in June. The team still expects the veteran reliever to return in July, at which point he will likely give the Brewers some bullpen depth and see most of his appearances during low-leverage scenarios.

Honeywell has tallied 16 strikeouts through 11.1 innings this spring in the Cactus League.

That's the positive angle to Honeywell's performance thus far in exhibition action. The negative is that he has surrendered 10 runs -- eight earned -- on 12 hits (three homers) for an ERA of 6.35. The 27-year-old former Rays prospect signed a split contract with the Padres over the winter ($725,000 in the majors, $200,000 in the minors) and will likely be ticketed for Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2023 campaign.

Duarte was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Reds on Wednesday.

Duarte has spun five scoreless innings this spring but is no longer in the running for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He'll look to impress at Triple-A Louisville in hopes of earning an opportunity down the line.

Herget was reassigned Wednesday to the minor-league side of Reds camp.

Herget had allowed three runs on seven hits through 5.2 innings this spring in Cactus League play. Signed to a minor-league contract over the winter, the 31-year-old right-hander will likely open the 2023 season at Triple-A Louisville.

Nelson was diagnosed Wednesday with a moderate left hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It doesn't sound like a huge long-term concern, but Nelson will be shut down for a bit and might run out of time to get fully ramped up for the beginning of the 2023 regular season. The 27-year-old right-hander had been projected for a swingman role out of the gate in Philly.

Helsley struck out all three batters he faced in a Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday against the Mets.

Helsley did the same in his previous Grapefruit League outing Sunday versus the Nationals. The hard-throwing 28-year-old carries top-tier fantasy closer upside into the 2023 campaign after dominating to the tune of a 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 64.2 regular-season innings for the Cardinals in 2022. He jammed his right middle finger just before the playoffs and aggravated it in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies, but there has been no apparent carryover this spring.

Thompson has pitched six scoreless innings through six Grapefruit League appearances.

He's struck out six while allowing four hits and two walks. Thompson's strong pitching is solidifying his place in the Cardinals' bullpen, though his history as a starter in the minors makes it possible he ends up as a long-relief option. At this point, there's a wide range of outcomes for Thompson, who could ultimately end up as the Cardinals' top left-handed reliever. That could earn him some high-leverage looks thanks to manager Oliver Marmol's matchup-based approach when the Cardinals are protecting a lead.

Rogers has allowed two earned runs on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts over 3.2 innings across four Cactus League games.

Rogers doesn't strike out many batters with his sidearm delivery, so that's not a concern, but the increase in walks is a bit troublesome. He posted a 5.8 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 across 75.2 innings in a setup role last season, which also saw him earn 15 holds but no saves. The right-hander will compete with his twin brother, Taylor Rogers, for high-leverage spots, though Camilo Doval is locked in as the Giants' closer to begin the season.