MLB Player News

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Holderman (illness) will throw a live batting practice session within the next few days, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Holderman is ramping things back up after battling a nasty virus. He will begin the season on the injured list but could be activated when first eligible or shortly after. Holderman is in line for high-leverage relief innings ahead of closer David Bednar.

The Brewers informed Hudson on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hudson has two minor-league options remaining, but he did enough in spring training to solidify his spot in the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen. After being acquired from the Dodgers in January, Hudson looked like one of Milwaukee's more dominant arms in the Cactus League, as he racked up 19 strikeouts against five walks over 12.2 innings while sporting a 3.55 ERA that was inflated by a .438 BABIP. With Devin Williams (back) likely to open the season on the 60-day injured list, the Brewers' closing situation is wide open, but Abner Uribe, Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill look to be the early frontrunners to enter the mix for saves. However, Hudson could eventually work his way into the late-inning picture if he's able to carry over his spring success to the regular season.

The Rockies reassigned Carasiti to minor-league camp Monday.

Carasiti posted a 6.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 24.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 before he was moved off the 40-man roster in October. He returned to the Rockies on a minor-league deal in February and made a strong case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out 10 over eight scoreless frames in Cactus League play, but Carasiti seemed to get caught up in a numbers game. Assuming he doesn't opt out of his minor-league deal, the 32-year-old right-hander is likely to remain in the organization as bullpen depth at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rockies reassigned Koch to minor-league camp Monday.

Koch made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 and made a strong case in spring training for a roster spot with a 3.52 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings in Cactus League play, but the Rockies ultimately didn't have room for him. The 33-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the season and will look to continue impressing in the Pacific Coast League with the hope of getting a call-up.

Garcia has made the Nationals' 26-man roster to begin the season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old will be the only left-hander in the team's initial bullpen, potentially putting him in line for regular high-leverage work. Garcia posted solid numbers in 2023 over 25 big-league appearances split between the Marlins and Nats, collecting two wins and four holds with a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB.

Mlodzinski (forearm) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Mlodzinki has been sidelined by right forearm tightness since mid-March. He has resumed throwing and would appear to have a shot to return when his 15 days are up or close to it. Mlodzinski is pegged for a setup role, once healthy.

Weems has posted a 10:3 K:BB without allowing a home run over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 31-year-old converted catcher established himself as a reliable bullpen option with the Nationals in 2023, recording five wins and seven holds over 51 appearances with a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB. Weems is on the fringes of high-leverage usage but will begin the season behind Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Rainey in the pecking order from the right side, making him unlikely to see any save chances.

The Pirates are expected to select Stratton's contract and add him to the roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Marlins, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Stratton earned his spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out seven while allowing six hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings during Grapefruit League play. Given his limited MLB experience -- he made eight appearances out of the Pittsburgh bullpen as a 26-year-old rookie in 2023 -- Stratton will presumably begin the season in a low-leverage role.

Reid-Foley (arm) failed to record an out and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and one walk during his relief appearance Sunday in the Mets' 5-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins.

Though Reid-Foley spotted just 13 of his 23 pitches for strikes and was unable to retire any of the three batters he faced, the Mets were likely just happy to have him back in action after he had battled arm fatigue earlier this month. The two hits and two runs were the first of either that Reid-Foley had given up in his four innings this spring, and he's also held batters to a .143 average overall while striking out seven. Reid-Foley still appears in good shape to win a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen.

The Rockies announced Sunday that Lambert will open the season as a long reliever, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The 26-year-old was fighting for a rotation spot but posted a 5.40 ERA over 16.2 spring innings and lost out to Dakota Hudson and Ryan Feltner. Lambert worked as a swingman for Colorado last season with 11 starts in 25 appearances, and he should fill a similar role in 2024.