MLB Player News

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Cronin would be invited to major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Cronin was part of the Nationals' 60-man player pool in 2020 but spent the entire season at the alternate training site. The southpaw was dominant for Low-A Hagerstown in 2019, posting a 0.82 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 22 relief innings. The southpaw likely needs more minor-league experience prior to making his debut with the big-league club, but he should have a chance to develop this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Frias has yet to report to spring training due to a positive COVID-19 test result, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

After being added to the 40-man roster during the offseason, Frias is slated to attend big-league spring training for the second straight year. Frias will have to complete a quarantine and clear all COVID-19-related protocols before reporting to camp. The 22-year-old right-hander split the 2019 season between short-season Hillsboro and Low-A Kane County, posting a 2.83 ERA and striking out 101 over 76.1 innings.

Antone is in a job battle with Wade Miley and Michael Lorenzen for a rotation spot, as the Reds are leaning towards using a five-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds, like many other teams, have discussed the possibility of a six-man rotation, but for now it looks more likely they'll open the season with a conventional five-man crew. It's going to be a fluid situation for Cincinnati and many other teams, particularly with younger pitchers that need to have their workload monitored.

General manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday that Crochet (forearm) is expected to open the upcoming season in the White Sox's bullpen rather than the rotation, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The White Sox don't seem to be writing off the flame-throwing lefty becoming a starter in the long run, but working out of the bullpen will allow Crochet to make a more immediate impact for a team that has legitimate World Series aspirations in 2021. Upon being promoted to the big leagues last September, Crochet was dominant in a small sample of five relief appearances, tossing six scoreless frames and striking out eight. He suffered a strained left flexor tendon in the playoffs, but after being cleared to resume a throwing program earlier in the offseason, Crochet isn't expect to face any restrictions this spring.

The Giants placed Brebbia (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Brebbia isn't expected to be fully cleared for competitive action until the second half of the season while he continues to recover from June 2020 Tommy John surgery. The newly-signed Jake McGee will take Brebbia's spot on the 40-man roster.

Sims said Wednesday that a recent MRI on his right elbow revealed nothing concerning, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Sims will be behind his fellow relief pitchers to begin spring training while recovering from right elbow tightness, but both he and the Reds are confident that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. The delayed start to camp could still hurt Sims' chances of contending for the closer role, which appears to be wide open following the offseason trade that sent incumbent Raisel Iglesias to the Angels. Along with Sims, Amir Garrett and Sean Doolittle look to be the primary candidates for the ninth-inning gig.

Soto has yet to arrive at spring training due to travel issues, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Soto is the likely favorite to begin the 2021 season as the Tigers' closer, but he isn't present for the start of camp due to travel issues. It's not yet clear when he'll arrive, but he'll attempt to work on his control heading into the regular season after posting a 13.3 BB% last year. The southpaw worked on his slider during the offseason and hopes to throw it more in 2021 after it was quite effective last season.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said Wednesday that he feels good about where Lamet (elbow) stands in his throwing program for the start of spring training, Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

Tingler relayed that Lamet regularly threw bullpen sessions and did everything that trainers recommended over the winter, which offers some reassurance about his health after he missed the tail end of the 2020 regular season and entirety of the Padres' playoff run due to a right elbow injury. Lamet was able to avoid corrective surgery to address the matter, instead treating the injury with platelet-rich plasma injections and rest before he resumed throwing. While Lamet tentatively looks to be on track for Opening Day, expect the Padres to monitor his usage carefully this spring so as to avoid a more serious setback with the elbow.

Dominguez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dominguez may not pitch in the majors during the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so his placement on the injured list is simply procedural. The move will clear up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Brad Miller.

The Marlins placed Brigham on the 60-day injured list Wednesday for an unspecified reason.

The Marlins had previously activated Brigham from the 60-day IL on Oct. 31, after he had previously been placed on the list in early August. The Marlins shut Brigham down at around the same time that they experience a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak, but it's unclear if the right-hander tested positive. An explanation behind his latest move to the IL isn't known, but Brigham will likely miss the first two months of the 2021 campaign as a result. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Adam Duvall.