MLB Player News

The Twins placed Weiss (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

As expected, Weiss won't be part of the Twins' season-opening bullpen while he recovers from a right shoulder strain. Once activated, Weiss will likely be in line for low-leverage relief work.

Minnesota placed Topa on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left patellar tendinitis.

With closer Jhoan Duran also opening the season on the IL with an oblique strain that will likely keep him sidelined for most of April, Topa might have been in position to cover some high-leverage innings out of the bullpen early in the season, but his own knee issue will foil those plans. Topa and Duran are joined on the shelf by four other relievers, leaving Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart as the most likely options to factor into the mix for saves in the first few weeks of the season.

The Twins placed Thielbar (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Thielbar is one of six Twins relievers that will begin the season on the injured list. He's eligible for activation April 9, but since he didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games while recovering from the left hamstring strain, Thielbar may need more than the minimum 15 days to complete his recovery before being ready to join Minnesota.

The Twins placed Staumont on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left calf strain.

Staumont was on track to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but his bid was derailed when he slipped in the bullpen earlier this week and apparently suffered the calf strain in the process. The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Staumont will be eligible to return from the IL as soon as April 9.

The Twins placed Duran (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Duran suffered a moderate right oblique strain nearly two weeks ago and is likely to miss most, if not all, of April with the injury. Manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't committed to a closer while Duran is out, but Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart are the top candidates.

The Twins selected Duarte's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Duarte netted a spot in Minnesota's bullpen after collecting a 2.92 ERA and a 12:0 K:BB in 12.1 innings during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old will likely be utilized in a middle-relief role.

The Astros placed Abreu on the restricted list Thursday.

Abreu has to serve a two-game suspension to begin the season after MLB ruled that he intentionally threw at the Rangers' Adolis Garcia in Game 5 of the ALCS. The setup man will be activated ahead of the third game of the four-game set versus the Yankees.

The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

After posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB in 46 innings at Jacksonville in 2023, Maldonado was shielded from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter and added to the Marlins' 40-man roster. He appeared to enter spring training with a legitimate chance at winning a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but despite limiting batters to a .158 average and permitting just one run while striking out eight over six innings in the Grapefruit League, Maldonado wasn't able to break camp with the club. The right-hander will likely begin the season as Jacksonville's closer and might not have to wait long before he gets his first call to the big leagues.

The Athletics optioned Jackson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Jackson missed out on a bullpen spot after allowing seven runs (six earned) over 8.1 innings this spring. The 29-year-old could still eventually fill a leverage role in an unsettled Oakland bullpen.

The Marlins optioned Faucher to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Faucher had been projected to be a part of the Marlins' Opening Day bullpen, but Miami's acquisition Wednesday of right-hander Burch Smith likely left Faucher on the outside looking in for a spot on the 26-man active roster. The 28-year-old right-hander should handle a key late-inning role with New Orleans and will look to impress at Triple-A with the hope of making his Miami debut at some point this season.