MLB Player News

A's manager Mark Kotsay said Friday that Alexander (ribs) isn't expected to resume mound work before the end of camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran left-hander was diagnosed with a left rib stress reaction after he struggled in three spring appearances, allowing eight earned runs over 2.1 innings. Alexander is now poised to begin the campaign on the injured list, and it's unclear how long he'll be unavailable.

Ferrer was diagnosed with a strain of the teres major muscle Friday and will be shut down for three weeks before being reevaluated, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.comreports.

The left-hander was limited to just one appearance during spring training due to the injury and will now begin the season on the injured list. Ferrer will require a ramp-up period after being shut down for multiple weeks, so he's likely to be sidelined for at least the first month of the season.

Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Reds on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The move appears to be in direct response to Alex Young (back) needing a stint on the injured list to begin the season. Wilson recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Dodgers after striking out nine and allowing two runs over four spring innings. The 36-year-old last appeared in the majors with the Reds in 2022 before needing Tommy John surgery.

Young will begin the season on the injured list after having a setback with his back injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Young made his spring debut earlier this week but didn't retire a single batter while allowing five earned runs. As it turns out, he was still probably compromised physically and an IL stint is in the offing. It's not clear how long Young will be out, but the Reds moved quickly to replace him in the bullpen by signing Justin Wilson on Friday.

Manager Ron Washington said Stephenson continues to deal with right shoulder discomfort and may not be ready by Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 31-year-old appeared back on track for a high-leverage role to start the season after being slowed early in camp by shoulder soreness, but the renewed discomfort puts his availability in jeopardy. Stephenson's outlook will depend on how quickly the issue subsides, but a trip to the injured list to begin the campaign wouldn't be surprising.

The Rays optioned Lopez to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez had been listed as a possible rotation candidate with Taj Bradley (pectoral) out, but he'll head back to Durham for now. The left-hander permitted three runs with a 7:6 K:BB across 6.1 innings of work during Grapefruit League play.

The Rays selected Waguespack's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Waguespack had inked a minor-league contract this offseason following a two-year stint in Japan and has earned a spot on the major-league roster after allowing three runs with a 6:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. The 30-year-old right-hander is a candidate to make some starts early on in the season while Taj Bradley (pectoral) is sidelined.

Warren (elbow) will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It's the next step for Warren as he continues the long road back from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be sidelined until around midseason.

Small will be sidelined for several weeks after being diagnosed with a moderate right oblique strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Small had been in the running to win a spot in the Giants' bullpen, but he'll likely begin the season on the IL instead. The southpaw was acquired via trade from the Brewers last month.

Hjelle (elbow) will begin a throwing program Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hjelle was shut down for a week after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. While the hope is that he will able to avoid surgery on the elbow, it's no sure thing as he attempts to ramp back up.