MLB Player News

Oller and J.T. Ginn were traded from the Mets to the Athletics in exchange for Chris Bassitt on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Oller is a 27-year-old who's yet to make his big-league debut, but he's potentially more interesting than most players who fit that description. He closed last season with a strong eight-start run for Triple-A Syracuse, cruising to a 2.45 ERA, though that came with a 10.2 percent walk rate and a merely above-average 24.3 percent strikeout rate.

Sims said Saturday that he's "all clear" regarding any potential arm troubles, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds general manager Nick Krall said earlier in the day that Sims was behind schedule to start camp, though he didn't give a reason for the delay. An arm injury seemed like the most logical explanation, given that Sims dealt with elbow issues last year, but that's apparently not what's ailing the righty. Sims' draft stock should perhaps dip slightly until the conflicting reports are cleared up, but it still looks as though he has a real chance to open the year as the Reds' closer.

Romero (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Romero couldn't be on the injured list over the offseason, but he was always going to return to it as soon as possible, as he's out for the early part of the season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. He'll be ineligible to return before early June, though he could be out longer than that given he underwent the procedure in mid-May of last year. He could return to the big-league bullpen in the second half.

Sims is behind to start camp, though the Reds have yet to specify why, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Sims looks like the favorite to close in Cincinnati this season, as his 4.40 ERA last year came with ERA estimators that painted a far more positive picture, with SIERA (2.50) and xERA (2.51) looking the most optimistic. His 39.0 percent strikeout rate is closer material, while his 9.2 percent walk rate was only half a point worse than league average. He was limited to 47 innings by elbow troubles, however, and his readiness for Opening Day could be in doubt if it's another elbow issue that's bothering him this spring.

Santillan underwent ankle surgery during the offseason but has been throwing bullpens to begin spring training, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan made his major-league debut in 2021 and recorded a 2.91 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 43.1 innings across 26 appearances (four starts). General manager Nick Krall classified Santillan's surgery as a right ankle debridement that he underwent on Oct. 29, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander's offseason procedure will force him to miss time early in the regular season, but the fact that he's already throwing bullpens signals that any potential absence is unlikely to be a significant one.

Manager Tony La Russa said Saturday that he expects Kimbrel to be on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kimbrel's team option for the 2022 season was picked up in early November, but he's still been a popular name in trade rumors during the offseason. After joining the White Sox prior to the trade deadline, the right-hander converted just one of four save opportunities with seven holds while posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 23 innings across 24 appearances. However, Kimbrel was electric with the Cubs earlier in the year, converting 23 of 25 save chances with a 0.49 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 36.2 innings. Despite his late-season struggles in 2021, Kimbrel would likely have plenty of job security as another team's closer if the White Sox end up trading him.

Henriquez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were traded from the Rangers to the Twins in exchange for catcher Mitch Garver on Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Henriquez advanced to Double-A Frisco during the 2021 season and recorded a 5.04 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 69.2 innings across 16 appearances (11 starts). The right-hander will likely begin the 2022 campaign at Double-A Wichita but is a part of the 40-man roster, so he'll have a chance to progress quickly if he performs well early in the year.

Gilbert (elbow) could be a frontrunner for the Diamondbacks' fifth-starter role, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

With the top four rotation spots in place, Gilbert and Dan Straily are considered the frontrunners for the final spot. Gilbert made a splash last season as a 27-year-old making his MLB debut, when he tossed a no-hitter against the Padres. He went on to post a 3.15 ERA over nine starts before elbow inflammation ended his season in September.

Vasquez signed a contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Vasquez has made 12 relief appearances in the majors with the Twins and Dodgers across the last four seasons. The southpaw spent most of last season at the Triple-A level, and he posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 79:24 K:BB in 48.1 innings. He'll likely serve as a low-leverage reliever for the Blue Jays in 2022.

Daniel will serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training in 2022.

Daniel advanced to Triple-A Salt Lake in 2021, but he faced some struggles against the improved competition and unforgiving ballparks of Triple-A West. The right-hander made five appearances (four starts) and posted a 10.29 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 21 innings. He'll now have a chance to develop with the big-league coaching staff this spring and will likely be in the mix to make his major-league debut at some point in 2022 as long as he can display improved results with the Bees.