MLB Player News

The Orioles reassigned Garrett to minor-league camp Monday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Garrett, who previously saw big-league action with the Tigers in 2019 and the Nationals in 2022, is expected to serve as organizational relief depth at Triple-A Norfolk as he begins his first season with Baltimore.

The Orioles reassigned Bazardo to minor-league camp Monday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 27-year-old struck out 11 and held opposing hitters to a .194 average over 8.1 innings in Grapefruit League play, but the strong showing in Florida wasn't enough for him to break camp as a member of the big-league bullpen. Bazardo has fared well over brief stints with the Red Sox in 2021 and 2022, so there's a good chance he surfaces in the big leagues at some point in 2023 even though he doesn't currently possess a spot on the 40-man roster.

Hughes (knee) is expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Though Hughes was able to throw a bullpen session Monday and looks to be making solid progress in his recovery from left knee soreness, the fact that he hasn't yet resumed facing hitters with Opening Day just three days away suggests that the Cubs will err on the side of caution and stash him on the IL to begin the season. Assuming he's able to return after a minimum-length stay on the IL or close to it, the left-handed Hughes should factor into the Cubs' late-inning mix once healthy, though he may not be manager David Ross' preferred option for save situations.

Hamilton is expected to remain in the Yankees' organization, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yanks have not determined who will be awarded their final spot in the bullpen. It could go to Hamilton, or he might instead be added to the 40-man roster and then optioned. Either way, the non-roster invitee is going to remain in the organization.

Coulombe was acquired by the Orioles from the Twins on Monday for cash considerations, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Coulombe was going to come up short in his bid for a bullpen spot with the Twins, but he's been given a reprieve with the O's trading for him and promptly adding him to their relief corps. The veteran left-hander holds a 2.92 ERA over 41 appearances over the last three seasons.

The Rockies optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Hollowell missed out on the final spot in the Rockies' Opening Day bullpen, with right-hander Connor Seabold winning out in the competition. The 25-year-old right-hander is one of the team's better young relief prospects and should get a shot soon enough.

The Reds informed Law on Sunday that he has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Since Law had been attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, the Reds will have to open up room for him on the 40-man roster prior to Thursday's season opener versus the Pirates. The 32-year-old journeyman right-hander likely entered spring training on the outside looking in for a spot in Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen, but he earned a roster berth after striking out 10 while churning out a 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings. Law may start the season in a middle-relief role, but if he carries over his strong run of form from spring training into April, he could quickly settle in as one of the top setup men for closer Alexis Diaz.

Hughes (knee) tossed a bullpen session Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hughes won't be part of the pitching schedule in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox and may not take the mound for Tuesday's spring finale either, clouding his status for Opening Day. The 27-year-old southpaw turned in a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB while converting eight saves over 57.2 innings as a rookie last season, and though he's expected to remain part of the Cubs' late-inning equation in 2023, Hughes may not manager David Ross' first choice to close games.

Manager David Ross confirmed Monday that Assad will be included on the Cubs' Opening Day roster but will fill a bullpen role, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Assad will most likely be ticketed for a lower-leverage, multi-inning role out of Chicago's bullpen after he was unable to beat out Hayden Wesneski for the fifth and final spot in the team's Opening Day rotation. After turning in a 3.11 ERA in 37.2 innings as a rookie with Chicago last season and then continuing to impress in Cactus League play and while pitching for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, Assad may be the first man up for a look in the rotation if the Cubs should require a spot starter at any point.

Raley (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Raley concluded the Mets' Grapefruit League without having made an appearance since March 5, but he was able to throw in a minor-league game over the weekend and appears to have experienced no setbacks in his recovery from a strained left hamstring. Assuming he checks out fine after Monday's outing, Raley will be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster and should be in position to work in a key late-innings role.