MLB Player News

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Estevez has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet due to mild lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Estevez was able to throw off a mound Wednesday and felt good. Quatraro believes there's still plenty of time for Estevez to appear in "6-to-7 outings later in camp." Signed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract in January, Estevez is the perceived favorite to serve as the Royals' closer. If Estevez is not physically ready or the Royals want to go in another direction at closer, Lucas Erceg would be the next man up.

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.

Aleman underwent a left hip inguinal hernia repair Wednesday and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks.

Aleman was added to the 40-man roster this offseason but had always been likely to begin the season at Triple-A Columbus. He'll be assigned to Columbus once he's fully recovered, though an initial rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate is possible. Aleman could be an option for the Guardians bullpen at some point this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Effross has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Effross suffered the moderate hamstring strain while delivering his one and only pitch during a Grapefruit League appearance earlier this week. The reliever has been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and is looking at an extended absence. Effross has made just 32 appearances over the last two seasons due to injury.

Harvey threw a scoreless inning in his spring debut Tuesday and says he's fully healthy after a back injury prevented him from pitching in the postseason, the Kansas City Star reports. "Last year was tough," Harvey said. "It didn't feel good to rotate, which is kind of the main thing we need to be able to do. We just couldn't get it to ever calm down."

Harvey met with specialists is in the offseason and the back issue was determined just to be tightness. He delayed his normal offseason throwing program by a month to aid his recovery and appears to be back to regular strength. Harvey will be a key setup man ahead of Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estevez this season, assuming he can stay healthy.

They Royals plan to use Erceg in the highest leverage spots in 2025, whether that be the ninth for a save opportunity or in the seventh inning, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Erceg gave up a run with two hits and two strikeouts in one inning during his spring debut Wednesday and reached 98.1 mph with his fastball.

Erceg racked up 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves last season after the team acquired him from Oakland in July and didn't have much competition for the closer role prior to the signing of Carlos Estevez. It appears Erceg will operate as more of a late-inning fireman that receives some save opportunities while Estevez is likely to work the ninth inning with a bit more consistency.

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.

Campbell (elbow) is listed as one of Boston's scheduled pitchers for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Campbell finished the 2024 season on Boston's injured list due to right elbow inflammation and was then outrighted off the 40-man roster in November. After a brief free-agency period, Campbell re-signed with Boston on a minor-league deal and received an invitation to big-league spring training. He'll make his first Grapefruit League appearance Thursday, which indicates that his prior elbow injury is no longer a concern.

Feigl signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday.

The 34-year-old southpaw made his MLB debut with the Pirates last season, although it didn't go well, as he surrendered six earned runs in just 1.2 innings in his lone appearance. Pittsburgh designated him for assignment after that appearance, and he finished his season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he turned in a 4.05 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 60 frames. He'll provide bullpen depth at Triple-A St. Paul in 2025.

Mills (elbow) tossed 1.2 innings Tuesday in the Red Sox's 6-1 loss to Atlanta in Grapefruit League play, giving up one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter.

Mills didn't pitch in either of the past two seasons after suffering from elbow soreness during spring training in 2023 and requiring Tommy John surgery later that summer. After a lengthy recovery, Mills seems to be healthy again, but he'll face an uphill battle to win a spot in Boston's Opening Day bullpen while he attends camp as a non-roster invitee.