MLB Player News

Leclerc (elbow) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Fellow reliever Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) also got back on the mound Wednesday, as the two relievers are at similar spots in their respective recoveries from the Tommy John surgeries they underwent last spring. Leclerc and Hernandez entered 2021 as two of the Rangers' top candidates to close games, but neither will likely factor into the ninth-inning mix right away upon gaining clearance to make their season debuts at some point in the second half of the upcoming season. Joe Barlow hasn't been officially named Texas' closer heading into Opening Day, but he's the odds-on favorite for the gig after converting 11 of 12 save chances late last season.

Nelson confirmed Wednesday that the elbow procedure he underwent last August was Tommy John surgery, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. "There's unfinished business for me, personally," Nelson said, while adding that he hopes to resume game action in September.

The Tommy John surgery is the latest in a long line of health-related setbacks for Nelson, whose once held promise as a front-of-the-rotation pitcher for the Brewers before suffering a serious shoulder injury while running the bases late in the 2017 season. In the four years since, Nelson has tossed just 51 innings at the big-league level. He found some brief success early last season as a reliever for the Dodgers before the elbow issue surfaced, and after requiring another major surgery, he may face an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues. He re-signed with the Dodgers earlier this week on a one-year deal that includes a team option for 2023, so the organization will presumably track his progress in the months to come before deciding whether to keep him in the fold heading into next spring.

Iglesias (personal) arrived at the Angels' big-league camp Wednesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Iglesias wasn't able to report to camp immediately after the lockout ended while he tended to a family matter, but his arrival Wednesday gives him plenty of time to continue his buildup program in advance of Opening Day. After re-upping with the Angels this offseason on a four-year, $58 million deal, Iglesias looks to be one of the closers with the very high job security, He completed his first season in Anaheim with a 2.57 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 103:12 K:BB in 70 innings while scooping up seven wins and going 34-for-39 in save opportunities.

Chafin signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Chafin put together the best season of his career while pitching for the Cubs and Athletics last year, as he converted five of eight save opportunities with 22 holds while posting a 1.83 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 68.2 innings across 71 appearances. He'll be rewarded with a pay raise in Detroit and should factor into the team's late-inning mix, even though Gregory Soto has already been named the Tigers' closer heading into the season.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that the Cardinals' pitching staff likely wouldn't have a set closer to begin the regular season, putting Gallegos' initial role into some doubt, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Gallegos has been absent from the first few days of camp due to personal reasons, but he isn't expected to be away from the team long. It's worth noting that the Cardinals have also expressed interest in a committee-based approach in past seasons, but a closer has usually emerged among the team's pitching staff. Gallegos seems to be the top candidates to receive saves, but Alex Reyes (shoulder) and Genesis Cabrera should also be in the mix for ninth-inning work.

Reyes (shoulder) will receive an injection in his right shoulder Wednesday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Reyes dealt with right shoulder soreness to begin spring training and will be further delayed following his injection. The right-hander plans to rejoin the team at camp Friday and hopes to have a better idea of his status at that point. The right-hander recorded 29 saves last year, but manager Oliver Marmol suggested Wednesday that the team won't have a set closer to begin the regular season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. As a result, Reyes could form a committee with Giovanny Gallegos (personal) and Genesis Cabrera once he's healthy.

The Athletics acquired Snead and fellow minor-league prospects Kevin Smith, Gunnar Hoglund and Zach Logue from the Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for third baseman Matt Chapman, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Oakland has been in full-on tear-down mode since the lockout ended last week, with the team having now moved Chapman, first baseman Matt Olson and starting pitcher Chris Bassitt in trades over the past few days. Snead is just one of a number of incoming prospects into the Oakland system, and he projects as one of the more MLB-ready new arrivals. The 27-year-old lefty got the chance to make his big-league debut with the Blue Jays late last season and impressed over seven relief appearances, as he struck out seven and allowed two runs over 7.2 innings. He should have a decent chance at breaking camp with the Athletics as a middle-relief option.

Logue was traded from the Blue Jays to the Athletics on Wednesday along with Kevin Smith, Gunnar Hoglund and Kirby Snead in exchange for Matt Chapman, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Smith and Hoglund are the headliners in this return package. Logue, who turns 26 in April, is a lefty with a good changeup and a chance to pitch at the back of a rotation in the near future. He posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 93:20 K:BB in 89.1 innings at Triple-A last season.

Lakins (elbow) threw two innings in a simulated game Wednesday and is scheduled to cover two more frames Friday in the Orioles' exhibition opener versus the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lakins reported to spring training at full strength after he was sidelined from late June onward last season following surgery to address an olecranon stress fracture in his right elbow. The 27-year-old right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and appears to be getting the chance to compete for a rotation spot with the big club, but he should still be viewed as a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Melancon participated in Tuesday's workout after arriving to camp a day late, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Melancon was the major offseason addition to a bullpen that the Diamondbacks are still tinkering with in advance of Opening Day. He is the clear closer for the team, but it remains to be seen how competitive Arizona will be after losing 110 games in 2021.