MLB Player News

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Topa (elbow) will remain in rehab mode during spring training and isn't expected to pitch in any Cactus League games, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Topa be ready to throw bullpen sessions by the end of spring training, but the update from Counsell implies that the right-hander will open the season on the injured list while he continues to work back from the flexor tendon injury he sustained in a Sept. 3 appearance versus the Cardinals. Topa was limited to only four relief appearances for the big club in 2021 after suffering a similar elbow injury last spring.

Montero (lat) has yet to arrive at camp due to visa issues, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Several players around the league are dealing with similar issues, but Montero should still have time to get ready for the season if the delay doesn't last too long. Montero's availability is also in question due to the lat injury which kept him out down the stretch last year, though it should become clear once he arrives whether or not that's still an issue.

Reyes underwent an extensive review of his shoulder by team doctors Monday to determine whether or not he could start spring training on time, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The results of the review are not yet known. The 27-year-old finally had an injury-free season last year and recorded 29 saves with a 30.0 percent strikeout rate and a 3.24 ERA, though he also walked 16.4 percent of opposing batters. Reports from last season indicated that the Cardinals planned on Reyes pushing for a rotation role this season, but it's possible he remains in the bullpen if the team doesn't think his arm can handle the increased workload.

Puk will be stretched out this spring and given a shot to win a rotation spot, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Puk's undeniable talent earned him the sixth-overall selection in the 2016 draft, but injuries have so far prevented him from living up to expectations. The 26-year-old lefty has only thrown 24.2 major-league innings, all of which have come in relief, and his 4.74 ERA isn't particularly good. It looked as though his clearest path to fantasy relevance may have been through fully committing to the bullpen and eventually pushing for the closer job, but it now appears as though he could have a chance at a starting role. The Athletics will likely need as much rotation help as they can get, as they've already traded Chris Bassitt to the Mets and could potentially deal Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea as well.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Monday that Kelly (biceps) isn't expected to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Hahn provided the update on Kelly's condition after the White Sox officially confirmed the reliever's signing on a two-year, $17 million contract. Though Hahn acknowledged that Kelly himself would probably say that he's on track for the start of the season, the White Sox are inclined to take a more cautious approach with the right-hander while he continues to build back up from a nerve issue related to the biceps strain he sustained during the NLCS while pitching for the Dodgers last fall. Once healthy, Kelly is expected to slot into a middle-relief role for a White Sox bullpen that is overflowing with impressive arms.

Munoz has yet to report to Mariners camp as of Monday due to visa issues, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

In addition to Munoz, visa issues have also prevented outfield prospect Alberto Rodriguez and non-roster utility man Erick Mejia from arriving for the start of camp. After inking a four-year contract extension in November, Munoz is expected to fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen in 2022, but his absence to begin camp could hurt his chances of factoring into the Mariners' murky closing picture.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Monday that Alzolay is dealing with shoulder tightness and is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

A clearer timeline for Alzolay to make his season debut could begin more clear later in spring training, but the fact that Hoyer is already dismissing the possibility of the right-hander breaking camp with the club suggests he'll likely spend more than the minimum amount of time on the IL. Had he reported to camp at full health, Alzolay would have been in good shape to win a back-end rotation spot, but his absence to begin the season improves the chances of Alec Mills, Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele winning starting roles.

The Giants designated Harvey (triceps) for assignment Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

San Francisco dropped the talented but injury-prone Harvey from the 40-man roster to make room for Jakob Junis, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the team. The Giants put in a waiver claim for Harvey in November with the thought that he might make for a high-upside lottery ticket out of the bullpen, but he was at major-league camp for just a few days before losing his 40-man spot. If Harvey clears waivers this time around, he'll stick in the organization and presumably open the season with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.

Junis (shoulder) signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Giants on Monday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Junis isn't expected to be part of the Giants' Opening Day rotation if the team escapes spring training with its top five starters intact, but given the poor durability that the likes of Carlos Rodon, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and Alex Cobb have shown during their careers, the 29-year-old Junis makes for valuable insurance. After working as a full-time starter for Kansas City from 2017 through 2019, Junis served as more of a swingman the past two years, accruing a 5.71 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 14.9 K-BB%. While those numbers aren't overly impressive, the Giants' ability to coax good results out of their pitchers in recent seasons will make Junis someone to keep an eye on if he gets a look in the rotation at any point.

Hand agreed Monday with the Phillies on a one-year, $6 million contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

One of the top lefty relievers who was available on the open market, Hand ultimately landed with the fourth different NL East team of his career after stops with the Marlins, Mets and Nationals. With 121 career saves on his ledger, Hand immediately becomes the most accomplished reliever in the bullpen, but because he'll be making $4 million less than fellow free-agent pickup Corey Knebel, the former could be second in line for saves. Phillies manager Joe Girardi could also choose to use the two relievers as part of a loose closer committee, with the southpaw Hand and right-handed Knebel both representing appealing options against opposite-handed hitters. While the transaction makes handicapping the Phillies' closer situation a more difficult endeavor, the offseason additions of Hand and Knebel (and longtime Mets setup man Jeurys Familia) undoubtedly strengthen the bullpen, which has been a major trouble spot for the team in recent years.