MLB Player News

Hudson (elbow) said Wednesday that he's progressing "really well" in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in late September, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Hudson has yet to resume throwing, but he's been pleased with how the process of regaining strength and full range of motion in his elbow has gone thus far. He plans to continue rehabbing with the team at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla. with goal of beginning a long-toss progression by the middle of March. The Cardinals aren't counting on Hudson pitching in 2021, but assuming he avoids any snags in the lengthy recovery process, he should enter spring training in 2022 with little or no restrictions.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Cronin would be invited to major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Cronin was part of the Nationals' 60-man player pool in 2020 but spent the entire season at the alternate training site. The southpaw was dominant for Low-A Hagerstown in 2019, posting a 0.82 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 22 relief innings. The southpaw likely needs more minor-league experience prior to making his debut with the big-league club, but he should have a chance to develop this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Frias has yet to report to spring training due to a positive COVID-19 test result, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

After being added to the 40-man roster during the offseason, Frias is slated to attend big-league spring training for the second straight year. Frias will have to complete a quarantine and clear all COVID-19-related protocols before reporting to camp. The 22-year-old right-hander split the 2019 season between short-season Hillsboro and Low-A Kane County, posting a 2.83 ERA and striking out 101 over 76.1 innings.

Antone is in a job battle with Wade Miley and Michael Lorenzen for a rotation spot, as the Reds are leaning towards using a five-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds, like many other teams, have discussed the possibility of a six-man rotation, but for now it looks more likely they'll open the season with a conventional five-man crew. It's going to be a fluid situation for Cincinnati and many other teams, particularly with younger pitchers that need to have their workload monitored.

The Giants placed Brebbia (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Brebbia isn't expected to be fully cleared for competitive action until the second half of the season while he continues to recover from June 2020 Tommy John surgery. The newly-signed Jake McGee will take Brebbia's spot on the 40-man roster.

Sims said Wednesday that a recent MRI on his right elbow revealed nothing concerning, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Sims will be behind his fellow relief pitchers to begin spring training while recovering from right elbow tightness, but both he and the Reds are confident that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. The delayed start to camp could still hurt Sims' chances of contending for the closer role, which appears to be wide open following the offseason trade that sent incumbent Raisel Iglesias to the Angels. Along with Sims, Amir Garrett and Sean Doolittle look to be the primary candidates for the ninth-inning gig.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Wednesday that he feels good about where Lamet (elbow) stands in his throwing program for the start of spring training, Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

Tingler relayed that Lamet regularly threw bullpen sessions and did everything that trainers recommended over the winter, which offers some reassurance about his health after he missed the tail end of the 2020 regular season and entirety of the Padres' playoff run due to a right elbow injury. Lamet was able to avoid corrective surgery to address the matter, instead treating the injury with platelet-rich plasma injections and rest before he resumed throwing. While Lamet tentatively looks to be on track for Opening Day, expect the Padres to monitor his usage carefully this spring so as to avoid a more serious setback with the elbow.

Dominguez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dominguez may not pitch in the majors during the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so his placement on the injured list is simply procedural. The move will clear up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Brad Miller.

The Marlins placed Brigham on the 60-day injured list Wednesday for an unspecified reason.

The Marlins had previously activated Brigham from the 60-day IL on Oct. 31, after he had previously been placed on the list in early August. The Marlins shut Brigham down at around the same time that they experience a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak, but it's unclear if the right-hander tested positive. An explanation behind his latest move to the IL isn't known, but Brigham will likely miss the first two months of the 2021 campaign as a result. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Adam Duvall.

Gott (elbow) completed a bullpen session Wednesday during the Giants' first workout of spring training, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Gott finished the past season on the injured list while battling right elbow inflammation, but his ability to throw at the start of camp suggests he'll enter the 2021 campaign with no restrictions. The right-hander received a look in the closer's role last season but couldn't hold down the job, posting a 10.03 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 15 appearances before being shut down. With Reyes Moronta (shoulder) healthy for the start of 2021 and the Giants also adding Jake McGee and Matt Wisler in free agency, Gott will likely find himself lower in the bullpen pecking order.