MLB Player News

Manager John Schneider revealed Tuesday that Francis is undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow and will miss the 2026 season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Francis dealt with a right shoulder impingement during the 2025 season that landed him on the injured list in June. He was able to commence a throwing program in August after some prior setbacks and had managed to face hitters during live batting practice. However, with the right-hander set for Tommy John surgery, he may not pitch in a game for 12 to 18 months.

The Cardinals acquired Soriano from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for Andre Granillo, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Soriano has been bouncing around via waivers this offseason and is now joining his fifth organization of the winter. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so he's a good bet to open the season in the Cardinals' bullpen. Soriano holds a career 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB across 118 innings at the big-league level.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that the team is targeting early May for Minter's (lat) season debut, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Minter will get a late start to the season after undergoing left lat surgery last May. It's not clear where the veteran reliever is at in his throwing program, but he will be slow-played during spring training before eventually going out on a rehab assignment. Once healthy, Minter will fill a setup role ahead of closer Devin Williams.

Manager Kurt Suzuki said Joyce (shoulder) is playing catch, but it remains to be seen if the right-hander will be ready by Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old made just five appearances in 2025 due to shoulder issues, which necessitated surgery to repair a torn labrum in May. It's encouraging that Joyce has started up a throwing program, but he'll require a significant ramp-up period while coming back from major surgery. Once healthy, he could be part of the closer mix for the Angels, along with Robert Stephenson and Kirby Yates.

The Mets placed Garrett (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for the addition of Bryan Hudson. Garrett underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in October and will miss the entire 2026 season.

The Diamondbacks placed Saalfrank (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for the addition of Carlos Santana. Saalfrank will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the left labrum in his shoulder. It's unclear whether he will be ready for the beginning of the 2027 campaign.

The Mets acquired Hudson from the White Sox on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Hudson had been designated for assignment last week. The big left-hander spent much of 2025 in the minors and posted a 4.80 ERA and 19:13 K:BB over 15 frames during his time at the big-league level. However, he held a 1.73 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 2024, so the Mets will try to coax that level of performance out of Hudson again.

Ginkel (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.

Ginkel missed most of the final two months of the 2025 regular season with a right shoulder sprain, but it appears he's come to camp without restrictions given that he's throwing off a mound on the first day pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. The veteran reliever is among those who should be in the mix to serve as closer as part of an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen. Ginkel was limited to 29 appearances due to injury in 2025, finishing with a 7.36 ERA and 29:13 K:BB over 25.2 innings. From 2023-2024, Ginkel held a 2.86 ERA and 147:38 K:BB across 135.1 regular-season frames.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Crochet will start Opening Day against the Reds on March 26, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

It's hardly a surprise the left-hander will be taking the mound first for Boston, and Cora wasted no time making it official. Crochet entrenched himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball last year, posting a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 255:46 K:BB across 205.1 innings during the regular season.

Suarez will be a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander joined Atlanta on a three-year, $45 million contract in December, but he won't be able to report to camp with the rest of the pitchers and catchers Tuesday. It's unclear when Suarez's travel troubles are expected to be resolved, but he's still got plenty of runway to work with to ramp up for Opening Day.