MLB Player News

Yang received his work visa and is expected to travel to Arizona this weekend, Daniel Kim of MBC Sports+ reports.

The 32-year-old missed out on the start of spring training due to some minor issues, but it appears he won't end up missing a significant chunk of camp. Yang signed with the Rangers last week as a non-roster invitee after spending the first 14 seasons of his career in Korea.

Hendriks threw his first bullpen session Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Hendriks got comfortable with catcher Yasmani Grandal, who told the pitcher that he was tipping pitches in an at-bat that resulted in the catcher hitting a home run off Hendriks during Game 2 of last year's playoff series between Oakland and Chicago. "So that's fun," said Hendriks with a broad smile. "It's pretty much the most productive home run I've given up, so there's that." Hendriks said he wasn't taking it for granted that he would be the White Sox's closer, but it's almost certain he will work the ninth inning when available.

Nelson (back) was included in manager Dave Roberts' comments about potential starters during the 2021 campaign, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Nelson is in camp as a non-roster invitee after missing all of last season due to back surgery, so his path to a roster spot among a deep Dodgers staff appears rocky. Still, the right-hander has enjoyed plenty of big-league success in the past, so a comeback is not out of the question if he's able to prove he still has some gas in the tank during spring training. Nelson has already thrown a bullpen session during camp, so he at least appears recovered from the issues that set him back in 2020.

Hicks was impressive in his first throwing session of spring Thursday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. "All the feedback from the pitching coaches, [and from] Jordan, was favorable," manager Mike Shildt said. "Ball was coming out really clean, had life to it. We'll see how he recovers today, but a very positive first day for Jordan Hicks, no question about it."

The right-hander will have plenty of eyes on him as he looks to return to full strength following Tommy John surgery. Hicks last faced bats in live action June 22, 2019, so he'll presumably have plenty of rust to knock off over the next several weeks. Even though he should get plenty of reps in spring camp and Grapefruit League action, he could start the season sharing closing duties with several other experienced ninth-inning options in the relief corps until he's deemed back to 100 percent.

Reyes, who's considered a candidate for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, is also open to continuing in the bullpen role he mostly thrived in during the 2020 campaign, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Reyes has now enjoyed two consecutive healthy offseasons, a rarity for the oft-injured hurler. The 26-year-old does have seven career starts at the big-league level, but only one has come within the last two seasons. Working almost exclusively as a reliever during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Reyes generated a 2-1 record, 3.20 ERA and recorded 27 strikeouts across 19.2 innings. He enjoyed closing in particular -- noting "it's a lot of adrenaline" -- but Reyes also mentioned Wednesday he'd relish the opportunity to start again if called upon. If he were to open the season in the bullpen, Reyes could potentially help alleviate the workload of Jordan Hicks in the early portion of the campaign as his fellow hard-throwing right-hander works back to full strength after last pitching in June 2019.

Munoz (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Munoz underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2020 and is still in the midst of his rehab. He has been able to throw bullpen sessions in the early portions of spring training and appears on track for approximately a June return. Munoz's placement on the injured list made room on the 40-man roster for James Paxton.

Wingenter (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Wingenter underwent Tommy John surgery on July 17, 2020 and is expected to miss the entire 2021 campaign as a result. This move was procedural to allow room on the 40-man roster for the Padres to officially add Keone Kela.

Farmer is one of several options to close out games for the Tigers to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Farmer has been a steady if not spectacular bullpen option for the Tigers, recording a 3.74 ERA across the past two seasons. He's ostensibly a potential closer for new manager A.J. Hinch, but the more likely scenario is that he settles into a more familiar setup role in front of someone like Gregory Soto or Bryan Garcia.

Jimenez is one of several options to close out games for the Tigers to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It once seemed Jimenez was destined to take the closer role in Detroit and run with it, but the 26-year-old has endured some struggles, including a 7.37 ERA across 22.2 innings last season. The Tigers have a new manager in A.J. Hinch, so it might be a clean slate of sorts for Jimenez, but he'll need a strong spring to overtake the likes of Gregory Soto and Bryan Garcia in the bullpen pecking order.

Cisnero is one of several options to close out games for the Tigers to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

New Detroit manager A.J. Hinch doesn't have an established closer, so it'll be worth watching how the bullpen shakes out in spring training. Lefty Gregory Soto and righty Bryan Garcia are probably the frontrunners to close, but Cisnero will be in the mix after posting a solid 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 29.2 innings in 2020. He's never earned a save at the MLB level, however.