MLB Player News

Hudson (knee) and Brusdar Graterol are the most likely candidates to serve as the Dodgers' closer if the team eventually decides to veer away from a committee approach, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Los Angeles appears set to begin the campaign without a designated closer, and there's no indication that the team is eager to shift that approach. However, if things change at some point in the campaign, Hudson and Graterol currently appear to be the most logical options. Hudson has some experience closing games, having racked up 32 saves throughout his career, including five last season, when he also impressed with a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. However, the veteran right-hander is currently on the shelf as he recovers from separate knee and ankle injuries, and he's expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the regular season.

The Dodgers don't plan on having a set closer to begin the season, but if they do eventually decide to designate one, Graterol and Daniel Hudson (knee) are the leading candidates, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers have given no indication that they'll designate a primary fireman at any point this season, so they could very well go with a committee approach for the entire campaign. However, if that changes, Graterol figures to be atop the list of potential closers given his ability to throw hard and his success last season. The fireballer posted a 3.26 ERA, 0.99 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 49.2 innings while picking up 10 holds and four saves, though he also endured two stints on the injured list. With that said, fantasy managers hunting saves may be best served to avoid Los Angeles relievers altogether given the real possibility that closing chances may be split between multiple pitchers throughout the campaign.

Otto will undergo an MRI on his right lat muscle, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Otto told reporters Sunday morning that the muscle was still sore, and the Rangers won't take any risks. The 26-year-old right-hander was scratched from Saturday's start because of tightness in his lat. There should be an update on Otto's status after the results of the imaging are announced.

Across 9.2 innings this spring split between the Cactus League and the World Baseball Classic, Assad has tossed 9.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Assad has turned into a valuable weapon for Team Mexico, which faces Japan in the tournament semifinals Monday. The righty is battling for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot as well, though it seems like Hayden Wesneski has the inside track there. That could push Assad into a long-relief role, but he's a candidate to start down the road. The 25-year-old could become a fantasy factor if that happens and he continues to pitch like he has this spring.

Alexander, who allowed three runs across one inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, has a 7.04 ERA this spring.

Alexander has been scored upon in only two of his five outings this spring, though he allowed three runs in each of those games, which has bloated his ERA. The lefty should still settle into a familiar swing role for the Tigers in 2023 after logging 101 innings last year. Alexander doesn't have a ton of fantasy value in relief, though he could be an occasional streamer if he makes some starts.

Brieske, who allowed two runs across two innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, has a 9.35 ERA this spring.

Brieske has allowed nine earned runs across 8.2 innings this spring, and home runs have been an issue, as he's allowed four of them so far. The righty had a decent 4.19 ERA across 15 starts for the Tigers as a rookie last year, though he's ticketed for a long-relief role this season. He'll be off the fantasy radar unless he picks up some starts down the road, and he'll need to pitch better than he has this spring to be effective.

Waites (lat) is throwing another live bullpen session Sunday at the Giants' spring facility, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It's the second live bullpen session for Waites, as the right-hander is working his way back from a strained right lat. The Giants have already announced that the 24-year-old will miss the start of the season, but it does appear Waites will be able to return to the San Francisco bullpen before the end of April if there are no setbacks.

Jameson threw in a minor-league game Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Jameson was one of several pitchers affected by the two-game rainout Wednesday and was adjusted to throw Friday. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Jameson showed excellent velocity on his fastball, which touched triple digits. The manager also said nothing should be read into the fact that he didn't pitch in a Cactus League game. Jameson is one of four starters still competing for the final spot in the rotation.

Jimenez struck out one in a perfect sixth inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The right-hander was acquired from Detroit in the offseason to join Atlanta's set-up crew behind closer Raisel Iglesias, but Jimenez underwent back surgery last October and has been brought along slowly in camp. His Opening Day availability doesn't seem to be in jeopardy, however. The 28-year-old posted the best numbers of his career in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33.3 percent strikeout rate, and Jimenez should easily be able to top last year's 11 holds with consistent high-leverage work for a much better team.

Iglesias has given up four runs in four innings of work in the Grapefruit League for Atlanta.

Iglesias has allowed four hits while registering a 3:1 K:BB. While those numbers are far from awe-inspiring, the sample is small, and it's nice to see the right-hander still missing bats. After serving as a bridge to Kenley Jansen following last season's trade to Atlanta from the Angels, Iglesias will be the closer in 2023, and he has a chance to be one of the best fantasy options at the position this year.