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Huascar Brazoban RP | CHW
Marlins' Huascar Brazoban: Delayed start to camp
Brazoban has yet to report to spring training due to visa issues, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.
The 33-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season and was expected to compete for a low-leverage spot in the Marlins' bullpen this spring, but any significant delay could cost him that opportunity. Brazoban averaged 97.2 mph with his fastball and posted a solid 28.4 percent strikeout rate with a shaky 14.9 percent walk rate over 27 appearances for Miami in 2022, but he showed sharper control at Triple-A prior to his promotion.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Healthy to begin camp
Jimenez is already throwing side sessions and is expected to be fully recovered from offseason back surgery prior to Opening Day, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "Oh, yeah, he's fine," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday.
The right-hander had a breakout season for Detroit in 2022, posting a career-best 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate over 56.2 innings, but a lumbar strain ended his campaign a couple weeks early. Dealt to Atlanta in December, Jimenez should be one of the team's top setup men in 2023 alongside A.J. Minter, and he could get some save chances should closer Raisel Iglesias be unavailable at any point.
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Andrew Kittredge RP | BAL
Rays' Andrew Kittredge: Transaction rescinded
Kittredge (elbow) being placed on the 60-day injured list has been rescinded, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
It had been the corresponding move to Trevor Kelley having his contract selected, but that transaction isn't allowed until March 15. Kittredge will officially be put on the 60-day IL next month.
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Trevor Kelley RP | SEA
Rays' Trevor Kelley: No longer on 40-man
Kelley having his contract selected by the Rays has been rescinded, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.
This was just an error on the Rays' part, as players on non-roster invitee deals aren't eligible to have their contracts selected until March 15. Kelley is expected to be added to the 40-man roster at that time.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Inks three-year extension
Alvarado signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension Friday with a $9 million club option for 2026.
Alvarado and the Phillies avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.45 million deal last week, but this new contract wipes that out and tacks on two, and possibly three, more years. The buyout for the option is $500,000, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so Alvarado is guaranteed at least $22 million. The big left-hander had been slated to hit free agency next offseason. Alvarado put up a 3.18 ERA and 81:24 K:BB over 51 innings for Philly in 2022, earning two saves along the way. He'll be in the late-inning mix for the team again in 2023.
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Kendall Graveman RP | ARI
White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Open to any bullpen role
Graveman said Thursday that he's open to filling any bullpen role for the White Sox this season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
"To rack up saves or holds, it doesn't matter to me," Graveman said. "I just want to get this team to the playoffs." The 32-year-old looks to be the frontrunner for the closer role on the South Side of Chicago with Liam Hendriks out indefinitely following a January diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
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Jimmy Nelson RP | LAD
Dodgers' Jimmy Nelson: No limitations this spring
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Nelson (elbow) has no limitations this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Nelson officially re-signed with the Dodgers on Wednesday on a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and Roberts has called him a "full-go" for all camp workouts. The 33-year-old did not pitch at any level in 2022 following Tommy John surgery in August 2021, but that is well behind him now. He has past experience as both a starter and a reliever, and Los Angeles could deploy him as a versatile swingman in 2023 if his health cooperates.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Loses arb case versus STL
Helsley lost his arbitration case against the Cardinals and will make $2.15 million in 2023, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Helsley had asked for a $3 million salary in his first turn through arbitration eligibility. The right-hander registered a dominant 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 19 saves over 64.2 regular-season innings in 2022 before his sudden collapse in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies. He is expected to serve as the primary closer in St. Louis throughout the upcoming campaign.
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Trevor Kelley RP | SEA
Rays' Trevor Kelley: Selected to 40-man roster
The Rays selected Kelley's contract on Thursday.
Kelley inked a minor-league contract with the Rays in January and now has a clearer path to a spot in their Opening Day bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander posted a 6.08 ERA in 23.2 innings last season with the Brewers, but he had some bad flyball luck and tallied 23 strikeouts along the way.
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Andrew Kittredge RP | BAL
Rays' Andrew Kittredge: Placed on 60-day IL
Kittredge was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Kittredge underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure last June and will miss at least the first half of the 2023 season. This is a paperwork move to get Trevor Kelley on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster.