MLB Player News

The Dodgers placed Kahnle (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Kahnle was moved to the IL along with fellow relievers Victor Gonzalez (elbow) and Caleb Ferguson (elbow) as the Dodgers narrowed their Opening Day roster down to the mandatory 28 players ahead of Friday's game in Colorado. Like Ferguson, Kahnle is recovering from late-2020 Tommy John surgery, with both pitchers seemingly in the final phase of their rehab programs after making appearances in Cactus League play. Ferguson made three relief appearances, while Kahnle made his spring debut Tuesday, when he struck out two over a scoreless frame. Kahnle should soon report to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment, and if all goes well, he could join the big-league bullpen by the end of April.

The Dodgers placed Ferguson (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Along with Victor Gonzalez (elbow), Tommy Kahnle (elbow) and Jimmy Nelson (elbow), Ferguson will be one of four Dodgers relievers to open the season the IL. Ferguson made three appearances during Cactus League play, so he's seemingly near the finish line in his recovery from September 2020 Tommy John surgery. He should be ready to report to an affiliate soon for a rehab assignment, with his return date from the IL likely to depend on when the Dodgers feel confident he's regained his command.

The Dodgers placed Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left elbow inflammation, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Gonzalez presumably picked up the injury coming out of his final Cactus League appearance March 31. Given that Gonzalez's elbow issue is being characterized as inflammation, he may just require a few days off to allow the swelling subside before he's able to ramp up again. A lengthy stint on the injured list wouldn't appear to be in the cards for Gonzalez, who turned in a 3.57 ERA over 35.1 innings with the Dodgers across 44 appearances last season.

The Dodgers optioned Bickford to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Bickford missed a good chunk of Cactus League play due to a bout with arm soreness, but he was able to toss a pair of scoreless innings Saturday and Tuesday to erase any concerns about his health. Even so, the missed time looks as though it was enough to cost Bickford a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen. Bickford found success as a right-handed specialist for the Dodgers late in the 2021 season, so he'll likely rank near the top of the list for a call-up when Los Angeles requires another reliever.

Criswell (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.

Criswell has been dealing with shoulder inflammation since mid-March and will be unavailable to begin the regular season. He doesn't yet have a timetable for his return, and he isn't guaranteed a major-league roster spot once healthy.

Ortega has earned a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ortega was one of several Angels relievers competing for a bullpen role to begin the year, and he'll work in a low-leverage role early in the 2022 season. The 25-year-old made eight major-league appearances last year and posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 9.1 innings.

The Mets placed Reed (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Reed's move to the IL comes after he was unable to make any Grapefruit League appearances this spring due to a left oblique strain. The Mets haven't provided an update regarding where he stands in his recovery, so the expectation is that the reliever will be sidelined for more than the minimum 10 days.

Castano has made the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in March, but he'll rejoin the major-league club as part of the Opening Day bullpen. The southpaw made five appearances (four starts) for the Marlins last year and logged a 4.87 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 20.1 innings.

Armstrong's contract was selected by the Marlins on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Armstrong joined the Marlins as a non-roster invitee in mid-March and posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 4.1 innings across five Grapefruit League starts. He'll presumably pitch in low-leverage situations out of Miami's bullpen.

Fairbanks (lat) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Fairbanks is expected to miss at least three months after he was diagnosed with a 50 percent tear of his lat muscle last week. Andrew Kittredge is a favorite to see save chances to begin the year, while a better timetable for Fairbanks' return will likely come into focus once his six-week shutdown from throwing concludes.