MLB Player News

The Mets claimed Rortvedt off waivers Sunday.

Rortvedt has been continually on the move during the offseason, and he's now been claimed via waivers for a third time since the beginning of November. The 28-year-old likely won't have much roster security with the Mets since Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens are locked in as the big club's top catchers.

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.

Neto (hand) took live batting practice against teammate Yusei Kikuchi on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Neto closed the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list due to a left hand strain, but the injury was never viewed as a long-term concern. The shortstop was also shelved at the start of the 2025 campaign while recovering from right shoulder surgery, so a healthy spring training would be a welcome change for the 25-year-old.

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.

Watson is scheduled to begin a throwing program Monday as he works his way back from arthroscopic right elbow surgery, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Watson is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he may not have enough time to complete his rehab and see Grapefruit League action before the end of the spring. Whenever he's back to full health, He's likely to head to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll presumably settle back into a starting role. After beginning last season as a reliever, Watson held his own upon moving into the Toledo rotation, logging a 3.20 ERA while punching out 59 batters over 70.1 innings across 14 starts.

Valencia (quadriceps) is still completing a running progression but is otherwise taking part in all baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Valencia is working his way back from a left quad strain and doesn't look like he'll be fully cleared by the time Grapefruit League play gets underway this week. The 26-year-old backstop was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he'll likely be optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the end of camp.

Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 90 feet three times during the upcoming week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The right-hander has avoided any setbacks since undergoing Tommy John surgery June 16, but Jobe is still in the early stages of his rehab program. He's already been placed on the 60-day injured list and isn't being counted on to contribute until September, if he pitches this season at all.