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  • Packy Naughton RP | STL

    Cardinals' Packy Naughton: Ready to go at start of spring

    Naughton (elbow) will not have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

    Naughton missed all of 2025 and most of 2024 due to a pair of elbow surgeries, first to repair a flexor strain and later to fix a torn UCL. He's finally fully healthy and is in camp as a non-roster invitee to compete for a spot in the Cardinals' bullpen. Naughton held a 4.14 ERA and 36:8 K:BB over 37 frames from 2022-2023 with St. Louis.

  • A.J. Puk RP | ARI

    Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Expects to be back before July

    Puk (elbow) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for his season debut before July, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

    Puk had an internal brace procedure last June rather than a full Tommy John repair of his UCL injury. The less invasive surgery gives him a chance at a quicker return, so a season debut before the All-Star break is possible. The left-hander expects to be cleared to throw off a mound by the end of March, and a clearer picture of his timetable could be available around that time. Puk will have a good shot to assume the closer role in Arizona when he does return, as the Diamondbacks bullpen lacks established options.

  • Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Aiming for late August return

    Martinez (elbow) hopes to make his season debut by late August, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

    Recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last June, Martinez began a throwing program in mid-January. He will continue with a deliberate pace to his rehab and likely begin a rehab assignment a little after the All-Star break if all goes well. Martinez had been serving as the Diamondbacks' closer before getting hurt, but he could retake his old gig late in the 2026 campaign.

  • Jacob Latz RP | TEX

    Rangers' Jacob Latz: Competing for No. 5 spot

    Latz will compete for a spot in Texas' starting rotation this spring, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

    Latz, who served as a swingman in 2025, had a 2.93 ERA over 46.0 innings as a reliever and 2.72 ERA over 39.2 innings in eight spot starts. Those numbers indicate how valuable he was in a dual role; however, the left-hander will be given a shot at being a full-time starter. Latz said in January at the team's Winter Warm-Up that he wants to start, but his ability to excel at both jobs may be more valuable. Kumar Rocker is also in the mix for the final spot in the rotation. Cody Bradford (elbow) also would have been part of competition, but he's not due back until mid-May.

  • Dominic Hamel RP | NYY

    Yankees' Dom Hamel: Sent outright to Triple-A

    Hamel was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

    Hamel lost his spot on 40-man roster Wednesday but failed to draw any interest on the waiver wire. He struggled at Triple-A Syracuse a season ago, accruing a 5.32 ERA across 67.2 innings.

  • Kaleb Ort RP | LAA

    Angels' Kaleb Ort: Reporting to Triple-A

    Ort (elbow) was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

    Ort lost his spot on the 40-man roster Friday after the club signed Brent Suter. After going unclaimed on waivers, Ort will report to Triple-A to prepare for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The status of his elbow remains unclear at this time.

  • Wyatt Mills RP | LAD

    Dodgers' Wyatt Mills: Lands deal with LAD

    Mills signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

    Mills is searching for a return to the major leagues after missing significant time while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He returned to the bump a season ago pitching for Triple-A Worcester, posting a 3.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 49:30 K:BB across 52.0 innings (seven starts). Mills will have the chance to compete for a bullpen slot after signing on with LA.

  • Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE

    Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Not permitted in camp

    Clase (personal) will remain on leave and is not permitted to report to spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

    Both Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave last July amid allegations of sports gambling. The duo were then indicted in November related to an alleged scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. There remains no timeline for a resolution in each case.

  • Tigers' Konnor Pilkington: Earns NRI from Tigers

    The Tigers signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    Pilkington elected free agency last week after being booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The southpaw put up a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Washington last season and is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Toledo bullpen to begin the 2026 season.

  • Angels' Hunter Strickland: Re-ups with Angels on MiLB deal

    The Angels re-signed Strickland (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    Strickland missed the entire second half of the 2025 season with a right shoulder strain and it's unclear what his current health status is. The veteran reliever held a 3.27 ERA in 19 appearances for the Angels before getting hurt, but a 14:10 K:BB in 22 innings didn't make a pretty picture. If healthy, Strickland could eventually work his way into a middle-relief role for the Halos, but an initial stint at Triple-A Salt Lake is likely.

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