MLB Player News
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Liam Hendriks RP | MIN
Twins' Liam Hendriks: Finds work in Minnesota
Hendriks (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Wednesday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Hip and elbow injuries limited Hendriks to just 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, during which he accumulated a 6.59 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 13.2 frames. An unstable bullpen situation in Minnesota may allow the 37-year-old righty to win a spot on the Twins' Opening Day roster, but he will first need to prove he can still be effective in the Grapefruit League.
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Phil Maton RP | CHC
Cubs' Phil Maton: In line for setup role
With Daniel Palencia being named Chicago's closer to start the regular season, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, Maton will likely handle a setup role in the early going.
Maton has generally served as a setup option throughout his MLB career, as his high-water mark for saves is five, which he posted last year. The veteran also recorded a 2.79 ERA and 81 strikeouts across 61.1 innings in 2025, so if Palencia falters in the closer role, Maton certainly seems more than capable of stepping in. For now, his fantasy value will be capped, though he should have strong appeal in leagues that count holds.
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Sam Hentges RP | SF
Giants' Sam Hentges: Completes bullpen session
Hentges (shoulder/knee) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.
Hentges missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing left shoulder surgery in September 2024. He also had arthroscopic right knee surgery last August before signing a one-year deal with San Francisco in November. The left-hander is expected to be ready during spring training and will look to return to form following his lengthy absence. Over 25 relief appearances for Cleveland in 2024, he posted a 3.04 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB across 23.2 innings.
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Hunter Strickland RP | LAA
Angels' Hunter Strickland: Looking healthy for camp
Strickland (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Wednesday during the Angels' first workout of spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Strickland didn't make any appearances in the majors or minors after July 6 last season due to a right shoulder strain, but he looks to be fully healthy as spring training gets underway. The veteran right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and will need to perform well during the Cactus League to clinch a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen. Strickland made 19 appearances for the Halos last season, notching one save and two holds while posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 22 innings.
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John King RP | MIA
Marlins' John King: Lands with Miami
King agreed Wednesday with the Marlins on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Non-tendered by the Cardinals in late November, King sat on the open market for months waiting on a fully guaranteed major-league deal until the Marlins finally stepped up to the table. In Miami, King likely projects to fill a middle-relief role in front of presumptive closer Pete Fairbanks. Over 51 appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen in 2025, the 31-year-old King submitted a 4.66 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB in 48.1 innings.
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Grant Holmes RP | ATL
Braves' Grant Holmes: Fully healthy for spring
Holmes (elbow) said Wednesday that he's 100 percent healthy as spring training gets underway, Reggie Chatman of 11 Alive News Atlanta reports.
Holmes didn't pitch after July 26 last season due to a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, but he was able to avoid surgery and treated the injury with rest and rehab. He was cleared to begin a throwing program in early September, and he evidently experienced no complications while building up over the offseason. A healthy Holmes will have a secure spot in the Atlanta rotation with Spencer Schwellenbach beginning the season on the 60-day injured list due to an elbow injury that could require arthroscopic surgery.
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Michael Mercado RP | PHI
Phillies' Michael Mercado: Slowed by shoulder issue
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Mercado will be delayed at the start of spring training due to a right shoulder injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The report doesn't provide many details on the injury, but even a minor concern could be enough to close the door on any chance the right-hander had at securing a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Mercado has made eight appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia over the last two seasons, allowing 21 earned runs on 23 hits and 14 walks in just 16 innings.
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: On mend from hamstring strain
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.
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Andrew Saalfrank RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Sidelined 10-plus months
Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.
Saalfrank underwent surgery Monday to repair the left labrum in his shoulder and has already been placed on the 60-day injured list. The rehab timeline gives the lefty a chance to be ready for the start of the 2027 season, but it is not a given.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Availability uncertain for 2026
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss acknowledged Wednesday that he's uncertain if Jimenez (knee) will be available to pitch at any point in 2026, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Jimenez won't participate in spring training after he required a cleanup procedure on his left knee in November. The reliever previously had surgery to address cartilage damage in the same knee in November 2024, resulting in him missing the entire 2025 season. Weiss described Jimenez's more recent setback with the knee as a "very complex injury," prompting Atlanta to take a cautious approach with his recovery. After being placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Jimenez won't be available for the first two months of the season, and given Weiss' pessimistic comments, the 31-year-old righty seems likely to be sidelined through at least the All-Star break.