MLB Player News

Diaz (knee) had no issues after throwing a bullpen session Monday on a back mound at the Mets' spring training complex, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

"Finally back," the right-hander said after the session. "I'm ready to go." Diaz missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a knee injury he suffered in the World Baseball Classic, but he appears fully recovered from surgery and ready to resume his role as the Mets' closer. While he is throwing off a mound, the 29-year-old has yet to begin fielding bunts or covering bases during defensive drills, but those milestones will happen soon enough as spring training ramps up. Diaz recorded 32 saves in both 2021 and 2022, and if he stays healthy in 2024, he figures to deliver similar numbers again.

Gose (elbow) was invited to major-league spring training.

Gose will have an opportunity to show what he can do against big-league hitters to begin camp. He missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so this will be a good test for the southpaw, who made 22 appearances for the Guardians in 2022 (4.71 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 21.0 innings).

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns implied Monday that Reid-Foley (lat) is fully healthy ahead of spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stearns noted that lefty David Peterson (hip), infielder Ronny Mauricio (knee) and right-hander Kyle Crick (calf) are the only players who will be held out of drills to begin camp, which suggests that Reid-Foley won't face any restrictions after he landed on the 15-day injured list in September with a right lat strain. Before sustaining the injury, Reid-Foley -- who had missed most of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery -- was effective over a small sample of 7.2 innings in the big-league bullpen, as he allowed just three earned runs on four hits and six walks while striking out 16. He projects to open the upcoming season in a middle-innings role.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns implied Monday that Adams (ankle) is fully healthy ahead of spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stearns noted that lefty David Peterson (hip), infielder Ronny Mauricio (knee) and right-hander Kyle Crick (calf) are the only players who will be held out of drills to begin camp, which suggests that Adams won't face any restrictions after he missed the final two months of the 2023 season due to a fractured right ankle. The 32-year-old spent last season with the Diamondbacks, finishing with a 5.71 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB in 17.1 innings. Adams signed with the Mets in November but was moved off the 40-man roster earlier this month, so he'll likely face an uphill battle to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Crick could miss all of spring training with a calf strain, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Crick is in Mets camp as a non-roster invitee, but his bid for a roster spot could come to an end before it begins. The veteran reliever didn't pitch anywhere in 2023 after opting out of his minor-league contract with the Rays last spring.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz on Monday didn't rule out Crochet beginning the season in the major-league rotation, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Getz added that he expects Crochet to be on the Opening Day roster in some fashion, whether that's in the rotation or perhaps in a long relief role as he gets stretched back out to start. All 84 of Crochet's appearances in pro ball to this point have come in relief, so getting his stamina built up at the big-league level will be tricky.

Adams (ankle) cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Adams signed a one-year deal with the Mets in late November but was designated for assignment last week in order to make room for Jake Diekman. Adams has been given a non-roster invitation to spring training, and he'll be at camp. He appeared in 24 games for the Diamondbacks in 2023 and finished with a 5.71 ERA, 22 strikeouts and eight walks over 17.1 innings.

The Twins acquired Okert from the Marlins on Sunday in exchange for utility player Nick Gordon, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Okert spent the last three seasons in Miami, most recently compiling a 4.45 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 73 strikeouts over 58.2 innings in 64 appearances, including two starts, in 2023. The southpaw will now look to carve out a late-inning role with the Twins heading into his seventh major-league campaign.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Sunday that Jacob (elbow) has no lingering health concerns as spring training gets underway, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Jacob has reported to the Padres' camp and looks as though he'll face no restrictions after he ended the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Before being shut down shortly after the All-Star break, Jacob made the first three appearances of his MLB career out of the San Diego bullpen, allowing no runs or hits over three innings while striking out five and walking one. The 25-year-old righty will be given a fair chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot, though the fact that he has three minor-league options remaining and doesn't have a long track record at the big-league level may work against him.

Smith, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Royals in December, is viewed as the leading candidate to serve as the team's closer to begin the season, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Though he sacrificed more save chances to Aroldis Chapman, Jose Leclerc and Josh Sborz toward the end of the 2023 campaign, Smith still converted 22 of his 27 save opportunities over 60 appearances with Texas during the regular season and turned in solid peripherals (3.28 xERA, 1.06 WHIP, 16.8 K-BB%) over his 57.1 innings. Smith's left-handedness has occasionally worked against him at various points in his career of capturing a full-time closing role, but he should have a clearer path to the ninth-inning gig while he's part of a Kansas City bullpen that's lacking in much established talent. James McArthur and Nick Anderson probably represent the top threats to challenge him for the closing gig, but Smith's strong track record as well as his bigger contract than the other two helps his case for holding down the fort at the back end of the bullpen. Royals manager Matt Quatraro will likely shed more light on his plans at closer as spring training unfolds, but for now, fantasy players should draft Smith as the presumptive favorite to see the bulk of the save chances.