MLB Player News
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Grant Holmes RP | ATL
Braves' Grant Holmes: Fully healthy for spring
Holmes (elbow) said Wednesday that he's 100 percent healthy as spring training gets underway, Reggie Chatman of 11 Alive News Atlanta reports.
Holmes didn't pitch after July 26 last season due to a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, but he was able to avoid surgery and treated the injury with rest and rehab. He was cleared to begin a throwing program in early September, and he evidently experienced no complications while building up over the offseason. A healthy Holmes will have a secure spot in the Atlanta rotation with Spencer Schwellenbach beginning the season on the 60-day injured list due to an elbow injury that could require arthroscopic surgery.
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Michael Mercado RP | PHI
Phillies' Michael Mercado: Slowed by shoulder issue
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Mercado will be delayed at the start of spring training due to a right shoulder injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The report doesn't provide many details on the injury, but even a minor concern could be enough to close the door on any chance the right-hander had at securing a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Mercado has made eight appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia over the last two seasons, allowing 21 earned runs on 23 hits and 14 walks in just 16 innings.
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: On mend from hamstring strain
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.
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Andrew Saalfrank RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Sidelined 10-plus months
Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.
Saalfrank underwent surgery Monday to repair the left labrum in his shoulder and has already been placed on the 60-day injured list. The rehab timeline gives the lefty a chance to be ready for the start of the 2027 season, but it is not a given.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Availability uncertain for 2026
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss acknowledged Wednesday that he's uncertain if Jimenez (knee) will be available to pitch at any point in 2026, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Jimenez won't participate in spring training after he required a cleanup procedure on his left knee in November. The reliever previously had surgery to address cartilage damage in the same knee in November 2024, resulting in him missing the entire 2025 season. Weiss described Jimenez's more recent setback with the knee as a "very complex injury," prompting Atlanta to take a cautious approach with his recovery. After being placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Jimenez won't be available for the first two months of the season, and given Weiss' pessimistic comments, the 31-year-old righty seems likely to be sidelined through at least the All-Star break.
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Re-ups with Dodgers
The Dodgers re-signed Phillips (elbow) to a one-year, $6.5 million contract Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Phillips was non-tendered earlier this offseason after having Tommy John surgery last May. It seems likely he will miss at least the first half of the season, but the $6.5 million investment suggests the Dodgers expect Phillips to contribute for a significant chunk of 2026. Phillips boasts a 2.22 ERA and 221:52 K:BB over 195 regular-season frames for the Dodgers.
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Ben Joyce RP | LAA
Angels' Ben Joyce: Cleared for mound work
Joyce (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session off a half mound Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Joyce is beginning spring training slightly behind the Angels' healthy pitchers, but working off a mound this early in camp is a promising sign. That said, manager Kurt Suzuki wouldn't guarantee Tuesday that Joyce would be ready to go for Opening Day, as the Angels plan to take a day-by-day approach with the flame-throwing righty reliever. The 25-year-old missed the final five months of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
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Prelander Berroa RP | CHW
White Sox's Prelander Berroa: Has thrown off mound three times
Berroa (elbow) has thrown off a mound three times so far as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Berroa missed all of 2025 after having the operation last March. He will begin the 2026 season on the injured list but should rejoin the White Sox' bullpen during the first half if all continues to go well with his rehab.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Rangers' Alexis Diaz: Has chance at closer job
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Diaz has a chance to see saves for the club this season, but the manager wants to see how the former Reds closer looks in spring training games first, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Schumaker listed Robert Garcia and Chris Martin as the initial favorites to close games, but he left the door open for Diaz. The 29-year-old righty notched 75 saves for Cincinnati from 2022-24, but he fell apart in 2025, posting an 8.15 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 17.2 innings between three different teams. It's a good opportunity for Diaz to re-establish himself on a team lacking bullpen clarity, but he has a lot to prove before fantasy managers can trust him again.
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Chris Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Chris Martin: Could see save opportunities
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Robert Garcia and Martin are the favorites to see save chances for the team this season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
After mulling retirement, Martin re-signed with the Rangers in December on a one-year, $4 million contract. He'll turn 40 in June but has remained highly effective, having logged a 2.98 ERA and 43:8 K:BB over 42.1 frames in 2025 while notching two saves. Martin finished last season on the injured list with an undisclosed injury but enters spring training without limitations.