MLB Player News

Bazardo was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Bazardo made a pair of relief appearances for the Red Sox last year, but he'll be forced to begin the 2022 campaign in the minors. Across 11 relief appearances in Worcester last season, he posted an 8.74 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Crochet (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Crochet sustained an injury in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against Cincinnati, and he'll be forced to miss the 2022 campaign and a sizable portion of next season following his procedure. The White Sox had hoped that the southpaw would be able to transition to a starting role by 2023, but his lengthy layoff could affect that plan.

Brash was officially announced as a member of Seattle's Opening Day rotation Saturday.

Brash has yet to pitch above Double-A, though he's actually already spent time on the major-league roster. He was called up in the final week of last season but didn't get into a game. Brash wasn't a particularly high pick in the 2019 draft, going 113th overall, but he broke out last season, posting a 2.31 ERA in 20 outings split between High-A and Double-A. He struck out an impressive 35.1 percent of opposing batters, though he'll need to improve on his 11.9 percent walk rate. He'll be making a big jump this season, but the Mariners clearly have faith in him.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Saturday that Oller will take on a bullpen role for the Athletics to begin the 2022 campaign, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Oller was informed Friday that he'd made the Opening Day roster, and he'll serve as a multi-inning reliever to begin the year. The right-hander made eight starts at Triple-A Syracuse last season and posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 44 innings. He'll be one of the top options to fill in as a spot starter if needed.

Clase signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Guardians on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Clase and the Guardians ramped up extension talks in recent days, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement ahead of the regular season. The right-hander is in line to reprise his role as Cleveland's closer to begin the 2022 campaign after he converted 24 of 29 saves with a 1.29 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 69.2 innings across 71 relief appearances last year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Friday that Abreu will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Abreu has looked great this spring, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings during which he has allowed only one hit and posted a 6:0 K:BB. Beyond the Grapefruit League success, the right-hander's security on the 28-man roster is buoyed by the fact that he's out of minor-league options. Abreu got his first extended look in the majors last season, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 35:19 K:BB across 36.2 relief innings.

Borucki (hamstring) will undergo an MRI, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Borucki left Friday's Grapefruit League appearance against the Pirates due to right hamstring discomfort, and his MRI should help provide clarity on the extent of the injury. He's made four appearances this spring and has allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings.

Taylor (back) will not be ready for Opening Day, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

That means the Red Sox will be without one of their top setup men to begin the season. Taylor will be placed on the injured list in the coming days, while manager Alex Cora figures out the team's late-game options. The bullpen is heavy with lefties, so there are plenty of replacement relievers.

Howard is expected to be the Rangers' No. 5 starter, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Landry's projected roster has Howard winning the No. 5 job over A.J. Alexy, Kolby Allard and Glenn Otto. Howard has given up one run on five hits while striking out three over five Cactus League innings (two starts). He's expected to make one more start during spring training. Earlier this spring, manager Chris Woodward told Landry that Howard, Alexy and Otto may benefit from more time at Triple-A but more should be gleaned in the coming days, after which the shape of the rotation should take form.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday that Chafin (groin) will begin the regular season on the injured list, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Chafin had been dealing with groin tightness for the last few days, and he won't have enough time to build up ahead of the regular season. The southpaw will be eligible to be placed on the 10-day injured list rather than the 15-day IL, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to make his 2022 debut.