MLB Player News

Jansen won't make his scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday against the Twins due to lower-back tightness, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox aren't concerned and think Jansen could be ready to pitch as soon as Tuesday, so his absence shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day. Jansen had previously been limited by a lat issue and has made just one appearance this spring. It's not an ideal way to prep for the season, but as a one-inning reliever, the 36-year-old closer shouldn't need as much ramp-up time as other pitchers.

Murphy is experiencing soreness in his left elbow and will undergo an MRI on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Murphy is competing for a spot in Boston's bullpen, but the injury looks as though it could threaten his availability for Opening Day. The southpaw posted a 4.91 ERA and 49:17 K:BB over 47.2 relief innings with Boston last season.

Jacques was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Jacques was knocked around this spring, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks over four innings. He will give the Red Sox some left-handed relief depth at Worcester.

Lopez will open the season as Atlanta's fifth starter after the team optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez had appeared to be the frontrunner for the final rotation spot throughout the spring, but Atlanta didn't make it official until Elder was removed from the competition Monday. In his transition from the bullpen to a starting role this spring, Lopez was impressive over his 16.2 innings, allowing four runs with a 13:6 K:BB. History suggests that Lopez's best role is as a reliever, and the expectation is that he could see usage in both the rotation and the bullpen this season. He'll at least make for a viable deep-league fantasy target while he's starting and has the backing of an elite Atlanta offense.

Santos, who suffered a mild lat strain Monday, is still "waiting to get things calmed down" before officially beginning a rehab routine, MLB.com reports.

The update comes directly from manager Scott Servais, who's counting on Santos to play a key seventh- and eighth-inning role this season. Santos has already been ruled out for Opening Day, however, and it's likely extra caution is taken with the restart date of his baseball activities considering he's also already dealt with a shoulder problem this spring.

Brash (elbow) has "picked up his throwing quite a bit" according to manager Scott Servais and could be ready for game action shortly after Opening Day, MLB.com reports.

Brash has now upped his throwing distance to 110 feet after hitting the 90-foot threshold early in the week. The next step for Brash is to progress to begin throwing off a mound, and once he's successfully completed that phase of his rehabilitation, he's likely to log game action at the minor-league level before being deemed ready to face big-league hitters.

Anderson is a projected member of the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen, per the updated roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Anderson's thrown a string of zeros all spring, allowing three hits and striking out seven over 6.1 scoreless innings. Of note, the 26-year-old right-hander has not yet walked a batter.

Church is listed as part of the Opening Day bullpen in the updated roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Church has impressed this spring and put himself in position to make his MLB debut. The right-hander has allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out 10 over nine Cactus League innings.

Moll (shoulder) has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll entered training camp behind schedule and hasn't yet pitched in a major-league spring training game, but he has been able to put in work and is ahead of teammate Alex Young (back). With Young set to begin the season on the injured list, the Reds have a greater need for Moll as a lefty specialist, which might lead to a few more opportunities to record holds early on.

Brentz exited Sunday's spring training game against the Brewers with a trainer, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It appears that Brentz may have injured his hamstring, and he exited after grimacing in pain. The pitcher had been having a rough spring with six earned runs allowed, eight strikeouts and 11 walks in 4.1 innings entering the outing.