MLB Player News
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Ronel Blanco RP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Goes on 15-day IL
The Astros placed Blanco (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Blanco will be shelved until the second half as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He's a candidate to be shifted to the 60-day IL if/when the Astros need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.
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Stephen Kolek RP | KC
Royals' Stephen Kolek: Out with strained oblique
The Royals placed Kolek (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Kolek strained his left oblique in late February. He's been throwing off a mound and appears close to returning to game action, though the righty could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha rather than the major-league club once he's healthy.
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Anthony Banda RP | MIN
Twins' Anthony Banda: Set to make roster
Banda will make Minnesota's final 26-man roster, MLB.com reports. He had a 4.91 ERA and 9:6 K:BB in 7.1 innings this spring.
Banda should have a prominent role in the setup corps for the Twins. However, he's one of three lefties in the bullpen, which could limit his usage in the highest-leverage roles.
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Angels' Kirby Yates: Lands on injured list
The Angels placed Yates on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to left knee inflammation.
With Yates on the IL until at least April 6, the Angels are looking at a potential closing tandem of righty Jordan Romano and lefty Drew Pomeranz. Romano has put together a much better spring with a 1.50 ERA compared to Pomeranz's 9.64 mark. Even once he's back to full health, Yates won't be guaranteed the closer's role, though he should at least be a factor in the late innings for the Angels.
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Jayvien Sandridge RP | BAL
Angels' Jayvien Sandridge: Dropped from 40-man
The Angels designated Sandridge for assignment Tuesday.
Sandridge posted a 4.55 ERA across 31.2 innings with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate last season, and he gave up five earned runs in just two innings during his brief time in major-league camp this spring. His poor performance will now cost him his place on the Angels' 40-man roster, making room for Joey Lucchesi, who signed a major-league deal with the team Tuesday.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Hits 60-day IL
The Angels placed Stephenson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Stephenson had been working his way back from a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms during camp, but he suffered a setback in mid-March and has now been ruled out for at least the first two months of the regular season. A timeline for his return may begin to form once he's cleared to resume a throwing program.
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Cody Laweryson RP | MIN
Twins' Cody Laweryson: Set to make bullpen
Laweryson will make the Opening Day roster in the bullpen barring any last-minute trades, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He had a 1.17 ERA and 7:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings this spring.
Laweryson was claimed off waivers by the Angels from the Twins in November, but he was later released and re-signed with Minnesota. He's likely the last man in the bullpen, but roles in the Twins relief corps remain in flux, so he could find his way into higher-leverage situations if he pitches well.
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Ben Joyce RP | LAA
Angels' Ben Joyce: Officially placed on IL
The Angels placed Joyce (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Monday.
Joyce is still on the mend from a shoulder procedure he underwent last May, so the Halos will stash him on the injured list to begin the regular season. The 25-year-old never made an appearance in the Cactus League but has been throwing off a mound, so he may not need much more than a minimum-length IL stint before he returns to the Angels bullpen.
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Enmanuel De Jesus RP | DET
Tigers' Enmanuel De Jesus: Wins bullpen spot
De Jesus will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The Tigers made their final cut of the spring Tuesday by sending Brenan Hanifee down to Triple-A, ensuring that De Jesus will be in the team's bullpen to begin the season. The 29-year-old was a non-roster invitee to spring training and turned heads while pitching nine innings without allowing an earned run in the Grapefruit League. He also gave up just one earned run and struck out 11 batters across 7.1 innings while representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He'll likely begin the year in a middle-relief role, but he could quickly ascend the leverage ladder if his dominance continues.