MLB Player News

The Mets placed Nunez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Ben Rortvedt, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Dodgers on Sunday. The move won't affect Nunez's timeline for a return, as the 29-year-old right-hander is likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery July 14.

The Cubs designated Cowles for assignment Sunday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

After being claimed off waivers by the Cubs in January, the 26-year-old will lose his place on the 40-man roster to clear space for the signing of Shelby Miller (elbow). Cowles will now be exposed to waivers, but he'll likely stick in big-league camp even if he goes unclaimed.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Sunday that he views Phillips (elbow) as the equivalent of a potential "deadline acquisition" for the 2026 season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Phillips recently re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $6.5 million contract after his 2025 campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery in June. According to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports, Phillips is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time post-surgery, though he won't throw proper bullpen sessions for another month after that. A more definitive target date for the right-hander's 2026 debut won't be clear until he's further along in the rehab process, but Gomes' comments would seem to indicate that the Dodgers are expected to have Phillips make his debut at some point in July or August. Phillips had been one of the Dodgers' top late-inning options from 2022 through 2024, but coming off a major surgery, he'll likely have to prove himself in middle relief before regaining trust in higher-leverage spots.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Sunday that Hernandez (elbow) should resume taking swings soon, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez underwent surgery in November to repair a torn tendon in his left elbow and isn't expected to be ready to make his 2026 debut for the Dodgers until around the middle of the season. The 34-year-old utility player will be eased into his hitting program before eventually getting cleared to take part in live batting practice. Since the surgery was to Hernandez's non-throwing elbow, he should be able to take part in defensive drills during the spring.

Waldrep experienced right elbow discomfort following a recent live batting practice session and will visit specialist Dr. Keith Meister later this week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

An MRI showed loose bodies in his elbow and no ligament damage, but it's too early to declare Waldrep in the clear until he visits Dr. Meister, who is a surgeon well known for performing operations on MLB pitchers. The 23-year-old Waldrep was already facing an uphill battle to cracking Atlanta's Opening Day rotation, but his availability for the start of the season -- and beyond -- is now in question.

Brennen (elbow) agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with the Giants on Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 28-year-old was limited to 159 plate appearances between Triple-A and the majors last season with the Guardians, as he underwent Tommy John surgery in June and then required sports hernia surgery in September. A healthy Brennan should serve as a fourth outfielder for the Giants.

The Giants placed Wick (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The transaction was fully expected, as San Francisco signed Wick earlier this weekend knowing the right-hander would miss the entire 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old's contract includes a club option for 2027, so the Giants will closely monitor his rehab before deciding whether to retain him this winter. Wick hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022 but was one of the top relievers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball this past season, turning in a 1.13 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 58:13 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

Bernardino (lat) faced outfielder Zac Veen as part of a live batting practice session Sunday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Bernardino's ability to face hitters within the first week of spring training suggests that he's made a full recovery from the left lat strain that forced him to the injured list this past September. The Red Sox shipped the veteran reliever to the Rockies this offseason, and he'll likely head into 2026 as his new team's top option against left-handed hitters. The southpaw has limited lefties to a .270 wOBA over his four-year big-league career.

Harrington (groin) tossed a bullpen session Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Harrington didn't pitch after Aug. 28 last season after aggravating a right groin injury, but the 24-year-old righty had a healthy offseason and is good to go for spring training. He reached the majors for the first time in 2025 but labored over his three appearances (one start) for the Pirates, giving up 15 earned runs on 18 hits and seven walks across 8.2 innings. Harrington will compete for an Opening Day rotation spot in spring training, but he's likely to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Dobbins (knee) is slated to go through a normal pitchers' fielding practice Monday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The right-hander is being eased into full baseball activities following last July's right ACL surgery. He went through limited fielding practice Saturday and will increase his running and defensive work during the upcoming week. Dobbins does not appear to be in any danger of missing Opening Day, but being brought along slowly in spring training likely takes him out of the running for a spot in the Cardinals' initial rotation plans.