MLB Player News

Abreu could start the season as Houston's closer, with Josh Hader's (bicep) status unclear, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

Hader has been limited to playing catch off flat ground thus far in spring, leaving his availability for Opening Day in doubt. If Hader does ultimately start the year on the IL, Abreu would be the clear choice to assume closing duties. The right-hander has been excellent as a setup man for the Astros, posting a combined 2.30 ERA over his last four seasons. Abreu logged 25 holds and a career-high seven saves in 2025.

Nardi (finger) threw a 15-pitch live batting practice session Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Nardi was briefly set back in camp after developing a blister on his pitching hand, but that no longer appears to be a concern for the lefty reliever. At this point in camp, Nardi's main focus will be building up the volume and intensity of his throwing sessions after back problems kept him out for the entire 2025 season. Nardi could face hitters in controlled settings on a couple more occasions before the Marlins clear him to make his Grapefruit League debut.

Junk (ankle) is aiming to throw off the mound by Wednesday or Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Junk suffered a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain during a drill last week, but he shed his walking boot over the weekend and is nearing a return to the bump. The injury should not prevent Junk from being ready for Opening Day, but it's made his bid for a spot in the Marlins' rotation more difficult.

Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mosqueda experienced inflammation in his forearm after a live batting practice session, but exams did not reveal anything serious. He will be unable to participate for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, and a long shot bid to make the Opening Day roster is out the window.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Harbin has been diagnosed with a lat injury and will be shut down from throwing for six weeks before being re-evaluated, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Harbin suffered an injury to his teres major muscle early in camp and won't have the chance to compete for a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen this spring. The Pirates added the 24-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster over the winter after he turned in a 4.69 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 92:46 K:BB in 63.1 innings between three minor-league levels in 2025. Expect Harbin to be optioned to minor-league camp in the coming weeks before opening the season on Triple-A Indianapolis' injured list.

Thompson (biceps) struck out two batters in a perfect inning Friday in the Rangers' 7-3 loss to the Royals in Cactus League play.

Thompson is attending Rangers camp as a non-roster invitee and appears to be fully healthy after missing the final week of the 2025 campaign when the Nationals placed him on the injured list due to right biceps tendinitis. The right-hander looks like a long shot to make the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen and will likely be assigned to Triple-A Round Rock before the end of camp.

Pearson (elbow) is still in a velocity ramp-up progression and might not be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros aren't sure whether Pearson will be able to appear in Grapefruit League games, pointing to a likely stint on the injured list to begin the season. Pearson will be stretched out as a starting pitcher, but he does not have minor-league options remaining, so his role once he's healthy could be dependent on the Astros' needs at the time.

Hader (biceps) could begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have not ruled Hader out for Opening Day as he works his way back from left biceps inflammation. However, the closer is not included in the team's roster projection by Rome, who writes that it's "difficult to envision" the Astros rushing Hader back for the opener. Hader is currently limited to playing light catch on flat ground and it's unclear when he'll be allowed to throw off a mound again. If Hader does need to miss time, Bryan Abreu would assume the closer role for the Astros.

Fulmer agreed to a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Monday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, which will give Fulmer the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old righty didn't pitch after Aug. 23 last season after sustaining a right elbow strain, but with the offseason to recover, he should be at or near full health. Fulmer made 13 appearances out of the Angels bullpen prior to being shut down with the injury, turning in a 5.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 29.1 innings.

Strzelecki recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless inning during Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Strzelecki suffered a right elbow strain last season but has since put the injury behind him. The 31-year-old looked sharp in his first action of the spring, firing 11 of his 13 pitches for strikes. Strzelecki inked a minor-league deal with the Brewers earlier in February and will continue to compete for a bullpen spot as camp rolls on.