MLB Player News

Lange (lat) may not make Detroit's Opening Day bullpen, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers have added some pitching depth in the offseason, including Tommy Kahnle, who figures to secure a bullpen spot out of the gates. Kenta Maeda may also shift to the bullpen, with Alex Cobb added to the rotation. These developments could push Lange out, especially because he's recovering from June lat surgery and still has minor-league options remaining. The righty led Detroit with 26 saves just two years ago but has seemingly fallen out of favor. Control has always been an issue for Lange, and he walked 17 batters in only 18.2 MLB innings last season, making him a risky bullpen option.

Matzek agreed to a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Matzek reportedly impressed at a recent showcase, enticing the Yankees to extend him a contract. The veteran southpaw struggled in 2024 while with Atlanta, posting a 9.90 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 10 innings at the big-league level, but he's success in the past in the majors, having turned in sub-4.00 ERAs in three straight seasons from 2020 through 2022. His minor-league deal presumably includes an invitation to MLB spring training that will allow him to compete for a spot in New York's Opening Day bullpen.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Assad is dealing with oblique soreness and will undergo imaging Monday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's not clear when Assad was injured, but the issue is significant enough that he's being sent in for an MRI. If healthy, Assad will compete for the final spot in the Cubs rotation after a season where he may have been pitching over his head. He logged a 3.73 ERA in 147 innings while all of his ERA estimators (xERA, FIP, xFIP, SIERA) were above 4.60. Colin Rea, Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks are the other top candidates for the final spot in Chicago's rotation.

Junk signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday.

Junk's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where he'll get the chance to compete for a spot in Miami's Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old has seen MLB action in each of the last four campaigns, but he hasn't covered more than 17 innings in any of those seasons while bouncing around across five different organizations. Over his 15 career MLB appearances (seven starts) spanning 40 innings, Junk owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.

Whitlock (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow last May, but since he will be used as a full-time reliever this season, he is expected to be ready for a normal spring training and be part of Boston's Opening Day bullpen. The 28-year-old could even find himself in the mix for saves, although he is probably no better than third or fourth in the pecking order as things stand right now.

Lopez (groin) is the only reliever in the Nationals' bullpen with any significant closing experience, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Washington non-tendered Kyle Finnegan in November, leaving the team without a clear favorite for the ninth inning. Lopez signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Nats in January, and while the fact that he's pitched for five different teams over the prior three seasons isn't encouraging, his 23 saves between the O's and Twins in 2022 could give him a leg up on winning the closer job in spring training. Derek Law, Jose Ferrer and Colin Poche also figure to be in the high-leverage mix.

Covey elected free agency Thursday.

Covey was removed from the Mets' 40-man roster last month, and he has decided to look for a job elsewhere rather than accepting an outright assignment. The right-hander missed much of 2024 with a shoulder issue but held a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 15 innings with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley.

Voth signed with the Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Sunday, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

Voth was non-tendered by the Mariners in November. The 32-year-old righty had been working as a reliever the past two seasons in MLB, but he'll likely stretch back out in Japan. He had a 3.69 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 61:18 K:BB in 61 innings over 68 appearances in 2024.

Imanaga will start one of the first two games of the season when the Cubs face the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

This was hardly a surprise, but manager Craig Counsell provided confirmation Sunday. Imanaga, who is 31, logged a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 173.1 innings last regular season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Scott will see the bulk of the save chances to begin the season, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

GM Brandon Gomes said after Scott signed in January that the left-hander won't be Los Angeles' set closer, but it appears Roberts still envisions Scott as the lead option for the ninth inning. Despite Scott's four-year, $72 million contract, it could be a fluid situation throughout the season with the Dodgers also having Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech (forearm) and Blake Treinen in the high-leverage mix.