MLB Player News

Ryu (illness) has been testing negative for COVID-19 and has been cleared to rejoin the Korea Baseball Organization's Doosan Bears for workouts, Daniel Kim of MBC Sports+ reports.

While the MLB lockout remains in place, Ryu will continue training with his former KBO club in his home country. He spent less than a week in quarantine after he experienced only minor symptoms of the virus following his initial positive test last Thursday. The 34-year-old lefty will be looking to bounce back during his third season in Toronto in 2022 after he posted a 4.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 across 169 frames last season.

Ryu tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

While the MLB lockout remains ongoing, Ryu has been training overseas with the Korea Baseball Organization's Hanwha Eagles, the team with which he began his career in 2006 before he moved stateside ahead of the 2013 season. Ryu is reportedly experiencing only minor symptoms of the virus, so he should make a full recovery and rejoin the Blue Jays ahead of spring training, whenever that might be held.

Severino said Thursday that he expects to be ready to handle a starting pitcher's workload to begin spring training, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Severino missed most of the 2021 campaign due to elbow, shoulder and groin issues, but he returned to game action in late September and struck out eight in six scoreless frames across four relief appearances. The right-hander recorded 30-plus starts in 2017 and 2018 and appears to be ready to rejoin the Yankees' rotation ahead of the 2022 season.

Ryu is participating in spring training with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO in the midst of the MLB lockout and completed his first bullpen session Sunday, Daniel Kim of MBC Sports+ reports.

Ryu will remain in his home country of South Korea with no end to the lockout in sight, and he'll continue his preparation for the season with the Eagles. The 34-year-old had a 4.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 143:37 K:BB across 169 innings last season and will look to rebound for the Blue Jays in 2022.

Maeda (elbow) told The Tokyo Mainichi on Jan. 7 that he's realistically targeting a return to action in the final month of the 2022 season. "Even if I can return, it will be around September. It's not a zero percent chance," Maeda said.

Maeda underwent a modified Tommy John surgery Sept. 1, 2021, with his procedure involving the insertion of an internal brace into his right elbow. The innovative procedure was expected to reduce Maeda's recovery timeline to 9-to-12 months rather than the typical 12-to-16, but the 33-year-old still looks as though he plans on requiring a full year to complete his rehab. With the pitcher himself ruling out a midseason return, Maeda doesn't look to be an appealing fantasy investment, even as a final-round selection in AL-only leagues or best-ball drafts. On a more positive note, Maeda seems to have avoided any setbacks since having the procedure, as he said that he plans to resume playing catch at some point during spring training.

McCullers (forearm) will start throwing in "about a month," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers suffered the injury to his throwing arm in mid-October and was unable to pitch in the the ALCS or World Series. In positive news, McCullers recently had an MRI that came back clean. Even so, it will be worth monitoring how McCullers is able to progress prior to spring training, which may dictate whether he is able to ramp up in time to begin the season on the mound.

Lyles agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Orioles on Wednesday that includes an $11 million club option for 2023, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Lyles spent the past two seasons with the Rangers and started in 30 of his 32 appearances last season. He had an unimpressive 5.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 146:56 K:BB across 180 innings, though he should have a stable rotation spot to open 2022 given Baltimore's overall lack of starting pitching. The physical exam wasn't completed before MLB initiated the lockout of the players Wednesday, so the deal can't become official until after a new CBA is reached.

Hill agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

It will be the veteran left-hander's third stint with the Red Sox after tossing 158.2 innings last season, which marks his highest innings total since 2007. Hill split 2021 between the Mets and Rays and posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 150:55 K:BB in 32 outings. He should be a solid mid-rotation piece for Boston if he can stay healthy in his age-42 campaign.

Bundy (shoulder) signed a one-year deal with the Twins on Wednesday that includes a club option for a second year, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Bundy finished last season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain. He had a 6.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 90.2 innings prior to suffering the injury. Bundy had the best season of his career in 2020, when he logged a 3.29 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 65.2 innings. The former top prospect will make $4 million in 2022 with a $1 million buyout on an $11 million club option in 2023, so it's $5 million guaranteed, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Paxton (forearm) agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The deal includes a two-year team option for 2023 and 2024.

Paxton pitched 1.1 innings for Seattle in 2021 before requiring Tommy John surgery in April, but he's been throwing from beyond 60 feet since September and appears to be making good progress in his recovery. The 33-year-old should be ready to pitch for Boston sometime in June or July, and the team is likely to pick up the two-year option if he performs well in 2022.