MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said Nelson looked great during a bullpen session Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Nelson briefly shut down his throwing program earlier in the week after tweaking his forearm, though he was never worried about the issue and appears to be back on track after Friday's positive session. Assuming everything checks out OK in the coming days, the right-hander is expected to progress to live batting practice sometime early next week. Barring any setbacks, Nelson remains on track to be ready for the start of the season.

Minter's shoulder tightness is not seen as significant by manager Brian Snitker, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.

The situation appeared worrisome when Minter exited after just one batter against the Blue Jays on Friday, but the Braves don't appear to be too concerned. A clearer picture may take some time to emerge, but it's possible Minter's injury is nothing more than typical early-spring soreness, as the lefty was making his first appearance of the spring. If healthy, Minter could remain in the mix for saves.

Reyes' next trip to the mound will come in a Grapefruit League game, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Reyes has started camp slowly as he works his way back from the torn lat muscle which ended his 2018 campaign last May. He threw a live batting practice session Friday and is now ready for game action. His role for the upcoming season is unclear, as is a potential innings cap for the 24-year-old, though Carlos Martinez's shoulder woes could open up a starting spot.

Castillo was placed on the 60-day injured list with a left flexor strain Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Castillo was shut down with left forearm tightness at the start of the week, and the issue is apparently a significant one. He'll miss most of the first two months of the season, at minimum, though a specific return timetable has yet to be outlined.

Vizcaino's competition for the Braves' closer role could be decreased with A.J. Minter exiting Friday's game due to left shoulder tightness.

As the incumbent, Vizcaino already seemed to be the favorite for the role, but his primary competition will no longer be involved if Minter's injury is anything more than a minor one. Chad Sobotka and Dan Winkler could still be factors, but neither poses as much of a threat to Vizcaino's job as Minter.

Minter exited Friday's game against the Blue Jays with left shoulder tightness, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter left the game with team trainers after facing just a single batter in his spring debut. The severity of the injury is not yet clear, but his odds of taking the closer job from Arodys Vizcaino would decrease significantly if the problem is anything more than a minor one.

Santillan got a major-league spring training start Thursday against the Brewers, allowing a run over 1.2 innings.

Santillan had a big year at two levels last year, first posting a 2.70 ERA at High-A Daytona before moving on to Double-A Pensacola, where he had a more pedestrian 3.61 ERA. The Reds' 2015 second-round pick won't be rushed, especially after they added three veteran starters in the offseason.

Jansen will make his Cactus League debut Sunday against the Rangers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Jansen came away from a live bullpen session with no issues Thursday, clearing the way for the reliever to make his spring debut over the weekend. The 31-year-old has been slow-played thus far in camp as the Dodgers exercise caution following his offseason heart surgery, but Jansen is still fully expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Rowley agreed to a minor-league deal with the Padres on Thursday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear if the deal includes an invitation to big-league camp. Rowley spent the majority of the 2018 campaign at the Triple-A level, posting a combined 3.34 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 24 starts (142.2 innings). He's struggled in a pair of brief major-league stints over the past two seasons, compiling a 7.91 ERA in 19.1 innings (three starts, five relief appearances).

De La Rosa (elbow) walked one batter in a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Padres.

De La Rosa looked good in his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2018. The 29-year-old reportedly touched 99 mph with his fastball, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. If De La Rosa is able to prove his health, he could carve out a role for himself in Arizona's bullpen.