MLB Player News

Reyes (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for two weeks after receiving an injection in his right shoulder Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes is dealing with some shoulder soreness to open camp and underwent an MRI earlier this week, and it's now confirmed he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. Once cleared to start a throwing program, the 27-year-old will remain at the Cardinals' extended spring training site as he ramps up his workload. He's set to at least miss the first few weeks of the season, leaving Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera to potentially split closing duties.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Gsellman recorded a 3.77 ERA with the Mets last season, but that came in just 28.2 innings as he was limited by a lat injury. It also came with a very low 14.3 percent strikeout rate. He'll compete for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Pomeranz is playing catch but remains doubtful for Opening Day as he works his way back from flexor tendon surgery, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz underwent the procedure back in August. While it's a positive that he's been able to play catch, he's yet to throw off a mound. The lefty has closer upside once he's eventually healthy, as he owns a 1.62 ERA and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate over the last two innings, but injuries have unfortunately been the story throughout much of the veteran's career.

Gallegos (personal) is expected to arrive at spring training Thursday and will join the full team Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gallegos was delayed slightly for personal reasons, but it appears it won't cost him more than a week of camp. The 30-year-old right-hander is expected to be part of the Cardinals' closer committee this season, with Alex Reyes (shoulder) and Genesis Cabrera also in the mix.

Doval will be part of the Giants' closer committee in 2022, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler often uses the modern approach to the ninth inning, deploying a committee instead of having one designated closer. Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers will also get work in late-inning situations this season, but Doval is less of a known quantity. The 24-year-old right-hander averaged 98.7 mph on his fastball last season while posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB across 27 innings. His hard-throwing ways are well-suited to closing games out even if he's the least experienced of the three relievers currently in the committee.

Santillan (ankle) is scheduled to start Sunday's spring training game against the Giants, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan underwent ankle surgery during the offseason, but he's been throwing bullpen sessions to open spring training and will make an early start for the Reds. It appears the 24-year-old will be ready for the start of the season despite the procedure. He made his big-league debut for Cincinnati in 2021 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 56:21 K:BB over 43.1 innings with four starts in 26 appearances.

Treinen could be used as a versatile relief option rather than as a defined closer, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kenley Jansen remains a free agent, leaving the door open for Los Angeles to employ a new closer for the first time in several years. Treinen is the logical heir to Jansen's role, as the 33-year-old posted a dominant 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB while collecting seven saves last season. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated this week that the team may opt for more of a committee approach, suggesting that there are "close to a handful of guys...that can finish games," per Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue. Given Treinen's effectiveness, there is plenty of sense in Los Angeles deploying him in a variety of situations and innings, but it could make for a frustrating situation in fantasy, especially for leagues in which saves carry heavy statistical weight.

Graterol has added a new pitch to his repertoire for this season, though he hasn't yet disclosed the pitch type, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Graterol's primary weapon is a sinker he often throws at triple-digit velocity, with a high-80s slider featuring as his secondary offering. The right-hander added a cutter to his pitch mix last season, and it appears that he'll now have a fourth option at his disposal. It's unlikely that Graterol will feature the new pitch prominently -- he relied on the sinker or slider over 90 percent of the time last season -- but the push to broaden his arsenal is at least a positive sign that the 23-year-old is intent on furthering his development after a somewhat disappointing 2021 campaign.

Norris agreed to a major-league deal with the Cubs on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Norris was acquired by the Brewers ahead of the 2021 trade deadline but struggled during the second half with a 6.64 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 18:15 K:BB over 20.1 innings. Overall he had a 6.16 ERA last season and has yet to find consistent success since making the transition from starter to reliever.

With the Cubs adding Steven Brault (lat) on Wednesday, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Thompson may see added competition for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Thompson and Justin Steele were identified as the likely candidates to replace Adbert Alzolay (lat) in the rotation to begin the season, but Brault gives the team a veteran option if he's recovered from his own lat strain. Thompson made six starts for the Cubs last season and had some good moments, recording a 3.38 ERA and 55 strikeouts across 53.1 innings. He could stake his claim to the No. 5 role with a strong spring performance.