MLB Player News

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.

Romano (ankle) threw a successful bullpen session Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano has been dealing with a mild left ankle sprain, but the issue doesn't seem to be bothering him too much with just under a week remaining until Opening Day. He was able to exert full effort with normal velocity and movement Friday. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Sunday before appearing in a Grapefruit League matchup Tuesday, and it seems likely that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season as long as those two throwing sessions go well.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Thursday that King will make the Opening Day roster, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

King missed much of last season with a finger injury but posted respectable numbers when he did pitch, compiling a 3.55 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 62:24 K:BB over 63.1 innings. He started in six of his 22 big-league outings last season but is expected to work in a middle-relief role in 2022. King has made three appearances in Grapefruit League play, allowing five runs and yielding three homers over seven frames.

Oller, who allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts across three innings in a Cactus League win over the White Sox on Friday, was informed following his start that he'd made the Opening Day roster, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mark Kotsay gave Oller the good news right in the dugout as the 27-year-old wrapped up his third outing of spring. Gallegos separately reported that Oller's fastball got as high as 96 mph in Friday's start while consistently sitting in the 93 mph-94 mph range, and that the well-traveled rookie will be in the mix for either a possible rotation spot or multi-inning relief role to start the campaign.

Manaea will make his final Cactus League start Sunday against the Padres, leaving him in play for a possible Opening Day assignment next Friday against the Phillies, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw has been very effective over his last two spring turns, allowing just two earned runs on three hits and two walks across a combined 10.1 innings over that span. The timing of Manaea's final tune-up appearance would also leave him on normal rest if manager Mark Kotsay opts to go with him over Frankie Montas for the first game of the regular season.