MLB Player News

Phillips (shoulder) threw his third bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Phillips has already ruled himself out for the Dodgers' first two games of the season March 18 and 19 in Tokyo versus the Cubs, but the right-handed reliever may still have a chance of being ready to go for the March 27 domestic opener versus the Tigers if he experiences no setbacks during the ramp-up process. Though he led the Dodgers with 18 saves in 2024, Phillips will likely find himself at least a couple rungs lower in the bullpen pecking order during the upcoming season after Los Angeles added two other pitchers with more closing experience (Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates) in free agency.

Atlanta reassigned Suero to minor-league camp Thursday.

Suero was competing for a spot in Atlanta's bullpen after posting a 2.66 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 67.2 innings with Houston's Triple-A affiliate last year. However, he gave up two earned runs over two innings in the Grapefruit League and will now head to Gwinnett to begin the 2025 campaign.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Winder will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Winder signed with Arizona on a minor-league deal in January and made one appearance this spring, allowing two earned runs over 1.2 innings. However, his upcoming surgery will ensure he misses the entire 2025 season and likely the first half of 2026.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Vieira (elbow/knee/shoulder) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vieira reported soreness in his knee, shoulder and elbow Monday -- the last of which seems to be the most severe, as it will require him to undergo Tommy John surgery. The operation will force him to miss the entire 2025 season, and he likely won't be cleared for game action until mid-2026.

Yoho threw a scoreless inning of relief in Wednesday's exhibition game.

The 25-year-old rose rapidly through the minor-league ranks last season and is competing for a relief spot with the big club. Even if he secures one it's unlikely he jumps into a key role with just 14.1 career innings above the Double-A level, but he tallied 10 saves last season and owns both a 15.5 K/9 as a professional. He features and elite changeup and is worth keeping an eye on this spring.

The Cardinals were granted a fourth option year on Thompson earlier this offseason, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Before the extra option year was granted, Thompson would have either had to be included on the Opening Day roster or exposed to waivers. Now, St. Louis has the ability to send him to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2025 season, which it's likely to do after Thompson struggled both in the majors (9.53 ERA) and minors (4.40 ERA, 14.2 percent walk rate) in 2024.

Helsley said recently that he has not had any discussions with the Cardinals regarding a contract extension, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

While Helsley -- who will be a free agent after this season -- said he would "definitely be open" to talking about a long-term deal, he does not expect those discussions to occur anytime soon. The Cardinals will transition from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom as their president of baseball operations after the season and are not looking to add to their payroll right now, so an extension for their closer isn't at the forefront of their plans. Helsley will make $8.2 million in 2025 and is a good bet to be dealt at the trade deadline.

Urena agreed Thursday with the Mets on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Urena will give the Mets a swingman option after their rotation depth took a hit with recent injuries to Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (oblique). The 33-year-old made nine starts and 24 relief appearances with the Rangers last season, collecting a 3.80 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 70:39 K:BB across 109 innings.

Imanaga allowed three runs on three hits and a walk across 2.2 innings of work in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Imanaga can hang his hat on the six strikeouts, but he otherwise struggled some in his spring debut, with the key damage done on a two-run home run by Casey Schmitt. The Chicago lefty should be just fine heading into the regular season, and he's slated to start the Cubs' first game March 18 against the Dodgers in Tokyo. Imanaga dazzled in his MLB debut last year, posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174 strikeouts across 173.1 innings, giving him plenty of momentum in 2025.

Atlanta optioned Willingham to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

The right-hander was claimed off waivers from Washington in January but was never a likely bet to make Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Willingham made one appearance in the big leagues last season and had a 3.69 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 71:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings at the Triple-A level.