MLB Player News

Strickland (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Wednesday during the Angels' first workout of spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Strickland didn't make any appearances in the majors or minors after July 6 last season due to a right shoulder strain, but he looks to be fully healthy as spring training gets underway. The veteran right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and will need to perform well during the Cactus League to clinch a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen. Strickland made 19 appearances for the Halos last season, notching one save and two holds while posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 22 innings.

King agreed Wednesday with the Marlins on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Non-tendered by the Cardinals in late November, King sat on the open market for months waiting on a fully guaranteed major-league deal until the Marlins finally stepped up to the table. In Miami, King likely projects to fill a middle-relief role in front of presumptive closer Pete Fairbanks. Over 51 appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen in 2025, the 31-year-old King submitted a 4.66 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB in 48.1 innings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.