MLB Player News

Fairbanks (lat) is expected to be shut down from throwing for the next six weeks after undergoing an MRI on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This isn't what the Rays wanted to hear after Fairbanks left Sunday's exhibition with lat tightness. He tossed five pitches before exiting in discomfort. Topkin notes that it may be reasonable to expect midseason as a target for the right-hander's return, as he'll likely need ample time to build back up before returning to game action. While Fairbanks recovers, J.P. Feyereisen should be next in line for an increase in high-leverage opportunities, and he could even get the occasional save chance if Andrew Kittredge needs a night off.

Wells was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Wells debuted last season and threw 42.2 innings at the highest level, but he won't get the chance to break camp in the majors this year. It's hard to say he deserves a spot, as he struggled to a 6.75 ERA while striking out just 13.2 percent of opposing batters last season.

The Blue Jays reassigned Lawrence to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Lawrence is expected to report to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2022 campaign. The 34-year-old last saw action in the majors with the Mariners in 2018, covering 23.1 innings over 11 relief appearances while posting a 7.33 ERA and 1.63 WHIP.

The Blue Jays optioned Danner to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

The 23-year-old was viewed as a potential two-way prospect when Toronto drafted him in the second round of the 2017 first-year player draft, but he's since made the full-time switch to pitching after enduring injuries and struggling to keep his strikeouts in check while playing catcher over his first three years in the minors. Danner turned heads while operating as a reliever at High-A Vancouver in 2021, holding opposing batters to a .171 average while registering a 2.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB in 35.2 innings. The right-hander will likely open the 2022 campaign at Double-A New Hampshire or Triple-A Buffalo.

The Blue Jays optioned Francis to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Francis has yet to reach the majors, but the Blue Jays thought highly enough of the 25-year-old right-hander's potential to protect him from Rule 5 draft this winter by adding him to the 40-man roster. After being acquired from the Brewers last July, Francis made 14 appearances (13 starts) for Triple-A Buffalo, recording a 4.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 71:31 K:BB across 73 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned Hatch to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Hatch was one of 15 players sent to minor-league camp Monday in the Jays' latest round of roster cuts. The 27-year-old right-hander been stretching out as a starter this spring and is expected to slot into the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo. He made three appearances (two starts) for the big club in 2021, working 9.1 innings while giving up seven earned runs on 11 hits and six walks.

The Blue Jays optioned Kay to their minor-league camp Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kay was one of 15 players sent to minor-league camp Monday in the Jays' latest round of roster cuts. The 27-year-old southpaw has been stretching out as a starter this spring and is expected to slot into the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo. He made 11 appearances (five starts) for the big club in 2021, compiling a 5.61 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 33.2 innings.

Houston optioned Solomon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Solomon was one of four players sent to minor-league camp in the Astros' latest round of roster cuts. The 25-year-old made his big-league debut in 2021 as a reliever, but Houston is still expected to continue developing him as a starter at Sugar Land to begin the 2022 season.

The Astros optioned Paredes to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Paredes was one of four players sent to minor-league camp in the Astros' latest round of roster cuts. He's made 34 relief appearances for the big club between the past two seasons, logging a 3.99 ERA and 35:28 K:BB across 29.1 innings.

The Yankees reassigned Nittoli to their minor-league camp Sunday.

Nittoli's longshot bid for the Yankees' Opening Day bullpen comes to an end after he gave up six earned runs in three innings over his three Grapefruit League appearances. The 31-year-old right-hander reached the majors for the first time in his career in 2021, giving up two earned runs in an inning of relief in his lone outing with Seattle.