MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Heading into spring training, Anderson seemed to be a leading candidate to earn saves for the White Sox this season, but a rough showing in Cactus League play was enough to remove him from consideration for an Opening Day bullpen spot entirely. Over his seven spring appearances, Anderson yielded eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and four walks over six innings. The White Sox have yet to name a closer as Opening Day approaches, though manager Will Venable said two weeks ago that Mike Clevinger ranks near the top of the list for the team's options in the ninth inning.

Hanifee will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

He ultimately got the call over Jason Foley, who was surprisingly optioned to Triple-A Toledo earlier Wednesday. Hanifee spun 10.2 scoreless innings this spring with a 9:3 K:BB and held a 1.84 ERA and 23:6 K:BB across 29.1 regular-season frames with the Tigers last season. He's better at getting groundballs than strikeouts and will likely serve in middle relief.

The Rays recalled Bigge from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Bigge was optioned to Triple-A last week, but a spot on the Opening Day roster opened back up for him after the Rays placed Shane McClanahan (triceps) on the 15-day injured list. McClanahan's injury clears room in the rotation for Drew Rasmussen, while Bigge will fill the final opening in the Tampa Bay bullpen. Bigge impressed in his first taste of the big leagues in 2024 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings between stops with the Cubs and Rays, but he may have to settle for low-leverage relief work to begin the upcoming season.

The Tigers optioned Foley to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Foley allowed five runs over 7.1 innings during Grapefruit League play but also had a 10:0 K:BB. The 29-year-old led the Tigers with 28 saves last season and had seemed to be firmly in the picture to close heading into 2025, but Detroit will give him time in the minors first to sharpen up. Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest are among the candidates to see save chances for the Tigers in what looks like a murky situation for fantasy.

The Cubs outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has experience as both a starter and reliever, and it's not clear which role the Cubs will use him in at Iowa.

The Cubs placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hip impingement.

Miller will be eligible for activation April 5, but it's not clear whether he might be ready by then. The right-handed reliever posted a 2.15 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 50.1 innings for the Cubs last season and is pegged for middle relief once healthy.

Graveman (back) will throw a bullpen session next week, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Graveman dealt with back issues during spring training and never pitched in a Cactus League setting. He could emerge as a key reliever after the Diamondbacks announced Jordan Montgomery will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Graveman missed all last season following shoulder surgery, but the right-hander had varying degrees of success in the three seasons prior to 2024.

The Angels designated Quijada for assignment Tuesday.

Quijada will fall short in his bid for a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen after giving up 11 earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in just 7.1 innings during Cactus League play. He'll be joined on waivers by Angel Perdomo, freeing up two roster spots for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson.

The Angels designated Perdomo for assignment Tuesday.

Perdomo split his spring between the Atlanta and Los Angeles organizations, giving up six runs (two earned) while striking out eight batters across 10 total innings. The left-hander doesn't have any options remaining, so he'll be stripped of his 40-man spot as the Halos attempt to send him to Triple-A Salt Lake. Jose Quijada was also DFA'd, creating room for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson to join the active roster.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.