MLB Player News

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Vieira (elbow/knee/shoulder) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vieira reported soreness in his knee, shoulder and elbow Monday -- the last of which seems to be the most severe, as it will require him to undergo Tommy John surgery. The operation will force him to miss the entire 2025 season, and he likely won't be cleared for game action until mid-2026.

Yoho threw a scoreless inning of relief in Wednesday's exhibition game.

The 25-year-old rose rapidly through the minor-league ranks last season and is competing for a relief spot with the big club. Even if he secures one it's unlikely he jumps into a key role with just 14.1 career innings above the Double-A level, but he tallied 10 saves last season and owns both a 15.5 K/9 as a professional. He features and elite changeup and is worth keeping an eye on this spring.

The Cardinals were granted a fourth option year on Thompson earlier this offseason, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Before the extra option year was granted, Thompson would have either had to be included on the Opening Day roster or exposed to waivers. Now, St. Louis has the ability to send him to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2025 season, which it's likely to do after Thompson struggled both in the majors (9.53 ERA) and minors (4.40 ERA, 14.2 percent walk rate) in 2024.

Webb (Achilles) is listed as one of the Orioles' available pitchers for Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Webb has had tough luck on the injury front during his career, as he missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery last May to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. After a long rehab from the latter injury, Webb is back to full health and is slated to make his first appearance in a game setting since March 9, 2023. The 27-year-old righty is likely to open the upcoming season in the bullpen at Triple-A Norfolk.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Estevez has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet due to mild lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Estevez was able to throw off a mound Wednesday and felt good. Quatraro believes there's still plenty of time for Estevez to appear in "6-to-7 outings later in camp." Signed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract in January, Estevez is the perceived favorite to serve as the Royals' closer. If Estevez is not physically ready or the Royals want to go in another direction at closer, Lucas Erceg would be the next man up.

Helsley said recently that he has not had any discussions with the Cardinals regarding a contract extension, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

While Helsley -- who will be a free agent after this season -- said he would "definitely be open" to talking about a long-term deal, he does not expect those discussions to occur anytime soon. The Cardinals will transition from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom as their president of baseball operations after the season and are not looking to add to their payroll right now, so an extension for their closer isn't at the forefront of their plans. Helsley will make $8.2 million in 2025 and is a good bet to be dealt at the trade deadline.

Aleman underwent a left hip inguinal hernia repair Wednesday and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks.

Aleman was added to the 40-man roster this offseason but had always been likely to begin the season at Triple-A Columbus. He'll be assigned to Columbus once he's fully recovered, though an initial rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate is possible. Aleman could be an option for the Guardians bullpen at some point this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Effross has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Effross suffered the moderate hamstring strain while delivering his one and only pitch during a Grapefruit League appearance earlier this week. The reliever has been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and is looking at an extended absence. Effross has made just 32 appearances over the last two seasons due to injury.

Harvey threw a scoreless inning in his spring debut Tuesday and says he's fully healthy after a back injury prevented him from pitching in the postseason, the Kansas City Star reports. "Last year was tough," Harvey said. "It didn't feel good to rotate, which is kind of the main thing we need to be able to do. We just couldn't get it to ever calm down."

Harvey met with specialists is in the offseason and the back issue was determined just to be tightness. He delayed his normal offseason throwing program by a month to aid his recovery and appears to be back to regular strength. Harvey will be a key setup man ahead of Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estevez this season, assuming he can stay healthy.

They Royals plan to use Erceg in the highest leverage spots in 2025, whether that be the ninth for a save opportunity or in the seventh inning, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Erceg gave up a run with two hits and two strikeouts in one inning during his spring debut Wednesday and reached 98.1 mph with his fastball.

Erceg racked up 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves last season after the team acquired him from Oakland in July and didn't have much competition for the closer role prior to the signing of Carlos Estevez. It appears Erceg will operate as more of a late-inning fireman that receives some save opportunities while Estevez is likely to work the ninth inning with a bit more consistency.