MLB Player News

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.

Joyce is unlikely to be the Angels' primary closer with the team's signing of Kenley Jansen (shoulder) on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels and Jansen agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Monday, which DiGiovanna notes will likely give Joyce "another year to grow into [the] closer role." It wouldn't make much sense for Los Angeles to have signed Jansen for any other reason than to serve as the team's primary closer, as he currently sits first among active players -- and fourth all-time -- with 447 regular-season saves. While Jansen may be nearing the end of his storied career, he showed he still has gas left in the tank with his performance for Boston last year, which included a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28.4 percent strikeout rate and 27 saves. It's still likely that Joyce will get an occasional save opportunity, per Sam Blum of The Athletic, but at least for one season it appears he will be an understudy to Jansen, which cuts down Joyce's fantasy appeal in most formats considerably.

La Sorsa was not present at spring training Tuesday due to an illness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

La Sorsa, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, is due back in a few days. The left-hander appeared in 16 games for the Nationals in 2024, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while giving up four home runs in 17.2 innings.

Phillips is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day due to the shoulder injury that kept him out of the 2024 World Series, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Phillips was originally held out of the World Series due to "arm fatigue," but it was revealed Tuesday that he suffered a tear in his rotator cuff during the NLCS. The 30-year-old reliever received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder in November and wasn't able to start a throwing program until January. It's unclear how far behind schedule Phillips is, but there's a growing chance he will begin the regular season on the injured list.

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Most of Curtiss' time last season was spent at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he turned in a 3.96 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 50 regular-season frames. However, his recent performance in the majors hasn't been as successful, as he's surrendered 14 earned runs in 22 regular-season innings since 2023. He'll have an opportunity to earn a spot at the end of Arizona's bullpen during spring training, but chances are he reports to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2025 campaign.

McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Diamondbacks declined their half of McGough's $4 million mutual option earlier in the offseason, but they will ultimately retain the righty's services on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old reliever struggled mightily in the big leagues last season, posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.2 innings. Barring a drastic turnaround in spring training, he'll likely fill in as bullpen depth for Triple-A Reno.

The Rangers signed Chargois to a minor-league deal Tuesday.

Chargois pitched for Miami and Seattle in 2024, posting a 3-1 record, 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 36 relief appearances. However, despite the impressive numbers, he was designated for assignment by the Mariners in November and will now look to eventually earn a spot in Texas' bullpen.