MLB Player News

Crochet (elbow) threw a live bullpen Friday and will throw another session Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Crochet received positive reviews for his bullpen Friday, and it's a positive sign that he's able to throw again a few days later. The southpaw missed the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he will assuredly open the 2023 campaign on the injured list. When healthy, Crochet has shown electric stuff, and he likely will be a high-leverage option for the White Sox when he does return in the coming weeks.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Monday's spring game against the Angels that Hudson's knee responded better than it previously had after his most recent time on the mound, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Hudson is starting the 2023 season on the injured list because of his knee trouble, and the right-hander will remain at Camelback Ranch in Arizona rather than travel with the Dodgers for Opening Day. The right-hander could be an option for the Dodgers at some point in the middle of April and may be inline for save chances once he returns.

Oller (illness) has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oller will be a part of the A's to begin the season, but the role that he'll have is undefined at this point. Oakland is also planning to carry JP Sears, but Athletics manager Mark Kotsay says the team won't name a fifth starter at this point. It's possible that Oller will be a rotation option, but the right-hander also could be working out of the bullpen in 2023. He's expected to be ready for the start of the season after being scratched Saturday because of symptoms of vertigo.

Weathers is likely to start the fifth game of the season for the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Acee notes how well Weathers has pitched this spring, and it's worth pointing out that the left-hander made changes to his delivery before the season that appear to have paid off. The southpaw will likely be on the bump for Monday's start against the Diamondbacks with a chance to earn more starts for San Diego if he pitches well in the early part of the season.

Wantz will be a part of the Angels' Opening Day roster, Adrian Garro of MLB.com reports.

Wantz made the decision easy for the Angels with a 0.00 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 6.1 innings in the Cactus League. The 27-year-old right-hander will be a middle-innings option for the Angels to open the 2023 season.

Anderson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Anderson was sent down a week ago even after pitching terrifically during Grapefruit League play, but injuries to Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) means he'll make the Opening Day roster after all. He could wind up pitching important innings for Atlanta if he can stay healthy.

Criswell was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Rays on Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Criswell pitched exceptionally well in the Grapefruit League with a 0.79 ERA and 0.62 WHIP over six appearances and 11.1 innings, but he falls victim to the depth of pitching in the Tampa Bay system. He's likely to be up at some point in a middle-innings role for the Rays in 2023.

Pacheco was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Tigers on Monday with a right elbow sprain, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Pacheco was dealing with an elbow injury when the Tigers claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals earlier this month and now he'll miss at least the first couple months of the season. The specifics on the 24-year-old's injury aren't clear at this time.

Jimenez, Trevor May and Jeurys Familia could all be used in closer situations this season, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday.

JImenez led the team with 11 saves last season, but his year ended with a shoulder injury and he's had velocity issues this spring. The 29-year-old could emerge as the team's best option if he's able to regain his velocity, but for now he's a mediocre reliever in a committee situation on a bad team.

May, Jeurys Familia and Dany Jimenez could all be used in closer situations this season, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday.

"I think we'll start out with the mindset that they're all options," Kotsay said. A closer-by-committee situation on a bad team is a nightmare situation for fantasy managers, although someone could emerge as the preferred option eventually. That someone could be May, who has a $7 million contract and who has mostly been very good the last several seasons. Still, it's not a bullpen worthy of much of an investment in fantasy.