MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed Sunday that Abreu has made the Astros' Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker said that Abreu and Ronel Blanco secured the final two spots in the Astros' season-opening bullpen after Brandon Bielak and Seth Martinez were optioned to Sugar Land, while non-roster invitees Adam Morgan and Zac Rosscup were informed they wouldn't make the club. Abreu, who owns a 4.69 ERA and 11.3 K-BB% across 42 career big-league appearances, is expected to fill a low-leverage role out of the Houston bullpen.

Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Sunday that Blanco's contract will be selected from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker said that Blanco and Bryan Abreu secured the final two spots in the Astros' season-opening bullpen after Brandon Bielak and Seth Martinez were optioned to Sugar Land, while non-roster invitees Adam Morgan and Zac Rosscup were informed they wouldn't make the club. The 28-year-old Blanco will hit the big leagues for the first time in his career, coming off a 2021 campaign in which he posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB in 45 innings for Sugar Land.

Melancon allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over one inning in Saturday's spring training game against the White Sox.

Melancon is the Diamondbacks' closer, but he's had a rocky spring with six runs allowed in 3.1 innings. He's perceived to have high stability in the closer role, but in case things go sideways, Ian Kennedy is the closer-in-waiting.

The Astros optioned Martinez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

In addition to Martinez, the Astros also optioned Brandon Bielak to Triple-A, clearing the way for Ronel Blanco and Bryan Abreu to secure the final two spots in Houston's Opening Day bullpen, according to Rome. Martinez reached the big leagues for the first time late in the 2021 season, making three relief appearances for Houston and giving up five earned runs over three innings.

Jackson (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday with a torn UCL.

Atlanta reported Saturday that an MRI showed damage to Jackson's UCL, but the extent of that damage was previously unclear. The right-hander may require Tommy John surgery, which would likely sideline him until the summer of 2023.

White allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's spring training game against Cleveland.

White, a highly regarded prospect drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft, made his Cactus League debut for the Rangers. He set down the side on eight pitches in his first inning, including a three-pitch strikeout, then worked around a single in his second frame. Tommy John elbow surgery and the canceled 2020 minor-league season set back White's development. He's expected to open the season at High-A Hickory and could move up a level at some point.

Montero (lat) is listed among the Astros' available relievers for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He'll be pitching for the first time this spring after he was a delayed arrival at camp due to a visa issue. Montero missed the final two months of the 2021 campaign with a right lat strain, but after a full offseason of recovery, the 31-year-old is believed to be healthy heading into Opening Day. He'll likely serve as a middle reliever for Houston during the upcoming campaign.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Saturday that Howard will be the team's fifth starter, Levi Weaver and Lindsey Adler of The Athletic report.

Howard had better spring performances than fellow young hurlers A.J. Alexy and Glenn Otto, and the Rangers apparently settled on Kolby Allard as a reliever. The 25-year-old Howard had a combined 7.43 ERA in 2021 for Philadelphia and Texas (9.70 in eight starts with the Rangers), so there's risk involved.

Sims (elbow) is expected to begin the regular season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims threw a bullpen session Saturday, but he'll still likely begin the season on the injured list. He's expected to return by mid-to-late April, putting him on a similar trajectory to starter Luis Castillo (shoulder). In his absence, Hunter Strickland, Art Warren and Luis Cessa are all expected to receive save opportunities.

Wilson is part of a large group of pitchers who could close games for the Reds this season according to manager David Bell, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lucas Sims looked like the top candidate but will open the season on the injured list due to elbow troubles. Wilson has 18 career saves, but the 34-year-old doesn't look like the same guy he was at his peak. He stumbled to a career-high 5.29 ERA and a career-low 19.5 percent strikeout rate in 34 innings last season.