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  • Nationals' Drew Smith: Catches on with Washington

    Smith (elbow) agreed Monday with the Nationals on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Michelle Margaux of SNY.tv reports.

    According to Margaux, Smith's deal will be worth $1.75 million if he makes the Opening Day roster and includes up to $1.25 million in performance-related bonuses. The 32-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2025 season while on the mend from July 2024 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, but he could be at or near full health at this point. If Smith proves during spring training that he's regained his pre-surgery velocity and command, he could quickly earn a high-leverage role in an unsettled Washington bullpen. Over parts of six big-league seasons, Smith owns a 3.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15.2 K-BB% over 191 appearances, all of which came with the Mets.

  • A.J. Puk RP | ARI

    Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Moves to 60-day IL

    The Diamondbacks placed Puk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

    The left-hander will be unavailable for at least the first couple months of 2026 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL is just a procedural move. After reporting for spring training last week, Puk said that he expects to make his season debut before July.

  • Grant Holman RP | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Grant Holman: Catches on with Arizona

    The Diamondbacks claimed Holman (finger) off waivers from the Athletics on Sunday.

    The addition of Holman gives the Diamondbacks an intriguing developmental arm out of the bullpen. Though he struggled to a 5.09 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over 23 innings in the big leagues with the Athletics last season, the 6-foot-6 Holman boasts a four-pitch mix and long levers that helped him finish in the 94th percentile in extension, per Aaron Hughes of SI.com. Arizona placed A.J. Puk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Holman.

  • Evan Phillips RP | LAD

    Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Likely to miss most of 2026

    Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Sunday that he views Phillips (elbow) as the equivalent of a potential "deadline acquisition" for the 2026 season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

    Phillips recently re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $6.5 million contract after his 2025 campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery in June. According to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports, Phillips is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time post-surgery, though he won't throw proper bullpen sessions for another month after that. A more definitive target date for the right-hander's 2026 debut won't be clear until he's further along in the rehab process, but Gomes' comments would seem to indicate that the Dodgers are expected to have Phillips make his debut at some point in July or August. Phillips had been one of the Dodgers' top late-inning options from 2022 through 2024, but coming off a major surgery, he'll likely have to prove himself in middle relief before regaining trust in higher-leverage spots.

  • Troy Watson RP | DET

    Tigers' Troy Watson: On mend from elbow surgery

    Watson is scheduled to begin a throwing program Monday as he works his way back from arthroscopic right elbow surgery, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

    Watson is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he may not have enough time to complete his rehab and see Grapefruit League action before the end of the spring. Whenever he's back to full health, He's likely to head to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll presumably settle back into a starting role. After beginning last season as a reliever, Watson held his own upon moving into the Toledo rotation, logging a 3.20 ERA while punching out 59 batters over 70.1 innings across 14 starts.

  • Dugan Darnell RP | DET

    Tigers' Dugan Darnell: Limited to playing catch

    The Tigers announced Sunday that Darnell (hip) has been playing catch five times a week and is also taking part in a running progression, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

    Darnell has opened camp behind the team's healthy bullpen candidates after undergoing left hip labral repair surgery in September. The 28-year-old could be ready to get back onto a mound soon, but he still looks like he'll face an uphill battle to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

  • Rowan Wick RP | SF

    Giants' Rowan Wick: Moves to 60-day IL

    The Giants placed Wick (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

    The transaction was fully expected, as San Francisco signed Wick earlier this weekend knowing the right-hander would miss the entire 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old's contract includes a club option for 2027, so the Giants will closely monitor his rehab before deciding whether to retain him this winter. Wick hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 but was one of the top relievers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball this past season, turning in a 1.13 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 58:13 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

  • Josh Sborz RP | TEX

    Rangers' Josh Sborz: Completes side session

    Sborz (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

    The 32-year-old righty looks to be healthy for the start of spring training after he was limited to just a handful of minor-league rehab appearances in 2025 after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder in November 2024. After the Rangers non-tendered him in November, Sborz re-signed with the organization on a minor-league deal in January. He'll need to regain his pre-surgery velocity and command in order to make a serious run at a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

  • Rockies' Brennan Bernardino: Good to go for camp

    Bernardino (lat) faced outfielder Zac Veen as part of a live batting practice session Sunday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

    Bernardino's ability to face hitters within the first week of spring training suggests that he's made a full recovery from the left lat strain that forced him to the injured list this past September. The Red Sox shipped the veteran reliever to the Rockies this offseason, and he'll likely head into 2026 as his new team's top option against left-handed hitters. The southpaw has limited lefties to a .270 wOBA over his four-year big-league career.

  • Edwin Uceta RP | TB

    Rays' Edwin Uceta: Out for World Baseball Classic

    Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that Uceta arrived at camp with a "cranky shoulder" and won't be available to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic as a result, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Cash labeled the decision to pull Uceta out of the WBC as precautionary and indicated that the Rays fully expect the right-hander to be ready to go for Opening Day. The team heads into the upcoming season without a set closer after letting Pete Fairbanks walk in free agency, and Uceta could factor into the team's late-inning mix if his shoulder isn't a concern. The 28-year-old netted one save and 21 holds over 70 appearances last season while racking up an impressive 103 strikeouts across 76 frames.

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