MLB Player News

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Walker will open the season as the Giants' closer, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After Camilo Doval endured a string of poor performances following the All-Star break and was removed from the closer's role in early August, Walker took over as the Giants' primary closer to finish out the 2024 campaign. In addition to providing sterling ratios (1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 99:18 K:BB over 80 innings) in his high-leverage relief role, Walker collected 10 wins, 10 saves and 21 holds. With the Giants opting not to make any major additions to the bullpen over the offseason, Walker looks like he'll get the chance to close on a full-time basis for the first time in his career. He'll be in position for fewer wins in the ninth-inning role, but if health prevails and he continues to perform at the level he did in 2024, Walker could finish among the league leaders in saves.

Trivino (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Trivino -- who is attending Giants camp as a non-roster invitee -- confirmed that he's back to full health after he was limited to a handful of rehab appearances in the minors in 2024 while he completed his recovery from May 2023 Tommy John surgery and then battled a shoulder issue in September. During his last healthy MLB season in 2022, Trivino made 64 relief appearances between the Athletics and Yankees, submitting a 4.53 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 67:24 K:BB while collecting 11 saves and four holds across 53.2 innings. He'll likely be vying for a low-leverage relief role in the Giants' Opening Day bullpen.

Stephenson (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The bullpen session will be Stephenson's first since he had a brace inserted into his right elbow as part of the Tommy John surgery he underwent May 1, 2024. Stephenson has reported no complications thus far in his recovery from surgery and is hopeful to return from the injured list by early July or shortly after the All-Star break. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels last offseason and looked to be a leading candidate to close games in 2024 before suffering the elbow injury, but he'll likely have to settle for a setup or middle-relief role once he's finally cleared for his 2025 debut.

Whitlock averaged 95 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock threw 15 pitches in the session and said he induced six or seven whiffs, adding afterward that he feels "super healthy" and that he expects to have a normal spring training. The right-hander is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he has no restrictions at the start of camp. Whitlock was mentioned by Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday as a potential candidate to serve as the team's closer.

Jameson (elbow) said that he will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jameson missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in September 2023. Though he had been able to throw off a mound by July of last season, Jameson is presumably doing so with more velocity and better command this spring now that he's further removed from the elbow procedure. The Diamondbacks could still ease Jameson along more slowly in spring training than their other healthy pitchers, but the 27-year-old right-hander said that there's "no question" he'll ready for Opening Day. If Jameson clinches a spot on the season-opening roster, he'll likely be used in lower-leverage situations initially, but he could quickly move up the pecking order in an Arizona bullpen that looks relatively unsettled.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Wednesday that Nardi is dealing with lower-back inflammation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

McCullough revealed last week that Nardi would be behind schedule at the start of camp, but he didn't disclose the nature of the injury at the time. The good news is the injury is not related to the elbow issue that caused the lefty to miss the final five-plus weeks of the 2024 season. If healthy, Nardi will be in the mix for high-leverage innings in the Marlins' bullpen.

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

Though he's no longer a member of the Cubs' 40-man roster, Zastryzny will stick around in the organization and should still join the big-league group for spring training. The 32-year-old lefty made nine appearances in the majors with the Brewers in 2024, giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five in 7.2 innings.

Vanasco is recovering from surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It wasn't disclosed when Vanasco had the operation, but he has progressed to playing catch six times per week. The right-hander re-signed with the Tigers on a minor-league deal in November and figures to join the Triple-A Toledo bullpen when healthy.

Mattison (elbow) is throwing bullpen sessions twice per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Mattison is working his way back from right UCL reconstruction surgery, which he had last March. He isn't expected to be game-ready until June, at which point he'll likely be assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

Lange (lat) is throwing two bullpen sessions per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Lange underwent right lat surgery last July. It's uncertain when he might be ready to pitch in games, but he would appear to have a good shot to be ready for Opening Day. Lange will be competing for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen, though he does have minor-league options remaining.