MLB Player News

Bazardo was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Bazardo made a pair of relief appearances for the Red Sox last year, but he'll be forced to begin the 2022 campaign in the minors. Across 11 relief appearances in Worcester last season, he posted an 8.74 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Crochet (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Crochet sustained an injury in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against Cincinnati, and he'll be forced to miss the 2022 campaign and a sizable portion of next season following his procedure. The White Sox had hoped that the southpaw would be able to transition to a starting role by 2023, but his lengthy layoff could affect that plan.

Brash was officially announced as a member of Seattle's Opening Day rotation Saturday.

Brash has yet to pitch above Double-A, though he's actually already spent time on the major-league roster. He was called up in the final week of last season but didn't get into a game. Brash wasn't a particularly high pick in the 2019 draft, going 113th overall, but he broke out last season, posting a 2.31 ERA in 20 outings split between High-A and Double-A. He struck out an impressive 35.1 percent of opposing batters, though he'll need to improve on his 11.9 percent walk rate. He'll be making a big jump this season, but the Mariners clearly have faith in him.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Saturday that Oller will take on a bullpen role for the Athletics to begin the 2022 campaign, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Oller was informed Friday that he'd made the Opening Day roster, and he'll serve as a multi-inning reliever to begin the year. The right-hander made eight starts at Triple-A Syracuse last season and posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 44 innings. He'll be one of the top options to fill in as a spot starter if needed.

Clase signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Guardians on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Clase and the Guardians ramped up extension talks in recent days, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement ahead of the regular season. The right-hander is in line to reprise his role as Cleveland's closer to begin the 2022 campaign after he converted 24 of 29 saves with a 1.29 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 69.2 innings across 71 relief appearances last year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Friday that Abreu will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Abreu has looked great this spring, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings during which he has allowed only one hit and posted a 6:0 K:BB. Beyond the Grapefruit League success, the right-hander's security on the 28-man roster is buoyed by the fact that he's out of minor-league options. Abreu got his first extended look in the majors last season, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB across 36.2 relief innings.

Edwards was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Edwards served as a non-roster invitee this spring after landing a minor-league deal with the Nationals in late February. However, he'll begin the season at Triple-A Rochester after he gave up five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one in five innings across five appearances (one start) during Grapefruit League play.

Garcia allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 1.2 innings versus Texas on Friday.

Garcia had allowed five runs across his first 1.2 innings in spring training, but he settled down Friday. The southpaw saw a versatile role last year as a multi-inning reliever. He posted a 6-3 record, 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:18 K:BB in 68.2 innings across 58 appearances. He added a save and 11 holds with the occasional look in high-leverage moments. Garcia probably won't factor into the closer conversation much -- Jake McGee, Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval are set to get the save chances early on. Garcia could still be an option if some of those late-inning candidates falter early in the season.

Hand has sat around 90 to 91 mph with his fastball this spring, below his average of 93 mph last season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's possible this is nothing to worry about, as pitchers are frequently below their usual velocity numbers in spring, due either to their lack of adrenaline in exhibition contests or to the fact that they're still building up to full strength. This year's shortened spring training could make that an even more common problem. Still, the Phillies would certainly prefer to see Hand at his usual velocity as soon as possible. His chances of overtaking Corey Knebel on the closer depth chart would take a hit if he's unable to get back to the 93 mph range.

Blach looks like he's won an Opening Day roster spot, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blach is in camp as a non-roster invitee, so the Rockies will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster to add him. The 31-year-old lefty owns a 4.99 ERA in 326.1 career major-league innings, striking out just 12.7 percent of opposing batters. He missed the last two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery.