MLB Player News
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Ben Joyce RP | LAA
Angels' Ben Joyce: Another bullpen session coming
Joyce (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, likely only throwing fastballs and changeups, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Joyce said Tuesday that his throwing progression is going well, but he's not yet ready to incorporate sliders into his routine. It's not clear whether he'll be ready in time for Opening Day, but he continues to make steady progress.
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Jose Ferrer RP | SEA
Mariners' Jose Ferrer: Stumbles to start spring
Ferrer was charged with the loss in Monday's Cactus League matchup with the Dodgers. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.
It certainly wasn't the ideal start to the spring for Ferrer. The lefty struck out Andy Pages to open the frame before surrendering three straight hits, including a pair of doubles, followed by a walk and a wild pitch. The Mariners are hoping that Ferrer can shake off the rust before Opening Day, as he's expected to play a key role in the back end of their bullpen. Ferrer was traded to Seattle in December after posting a 4.48 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and 71:16 K:BB across 76.1 innings with the Nationals in 2025.
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Anthony Kay RP | CHW
White Sox's Anthony Kay: Added sinker while overseas
Kay developed a sinker while pitching with the Yokohama Bay Stars, Kade Heather of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Kay struggled to establish himself in the majors in partial seasons from 2019 through 2023, and he spent the last two seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He developed the sinker because his high fastball was less effective overseas, given that Japanese players typically have a flatter swing. Kay is now readjusting his approach in his return to MLB, where he previously relied primarily on his fastball, slider and changeup. He is set to make his first Cactus League start Tuesday, though it's unclear how much of his pitch mix he will show.
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Hobie Harris RP | BOS
Red Sox's Hobie Harris: Shut down with forearm tightness
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Harris has been shut down due to forearm tightness, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
It's unclear when the injury first cropped up, but it effectively ends Harris' long shot bid for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster. The right-hander held a 4.15 ERA and 43:21 K:BB across 39.0 innings with Triple-A Worcester in 2025.
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Tyler Samaniego RP | BOS
Red Sox's Tyler Samaniego: Set for mound session
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Samaniego (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
A tight back prevented Samaniego from making his Grapefruit League debut over the weekend as planned, but the lefty hasn't been shut down and looks like he could be cleared to pitch in a game in the near future if he feels fine following Tuesday's throwing session. Though he occupies a spot on the Red Sox's 40-man roster, Samaniego doesn't look like a serious threat to join Boston for Opening Day and is expected to begin the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Worcester.
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Liam Hendriks RP | MIN
Twins' Liam Hendriks: Throws live batting practice
Hendriks (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Hendriks underwent right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery last September, and this appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since that operation. The 37-year-old made only 14 appearances for the Red Sox in 2025, collecting a 6.59 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings. Hendriks is in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee, but if he looks sharp this spring he could push for a leveraged bullpen role.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Could open year as closer
Abreu could start the season as Houston's closer, with Josh Hader's (bicep) status unclear, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Hader has been limited to playing catch off flat ground thus far in spring, leaving his availability for Opening Day in doubt. If Hader does ultimately start the year on the IL, Abreu would be the clear choice to assume closing duties. The right-hander has been excellent as a setup man for the Astros, posting a combined 2.30 ERA over his last four seasons. Abreu logged 25 holds and a career-high seven saves in 2025.
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Mason Thompson RP | TEX
Rangers' Mason Thompson: Makes spring debut
Thompson (biceps) struck out two batters in a perfect inning Friday in the Rangers' 7-3 loss to the Royals in Cactus League play.
Thompson is attending Rangers camp as a non-roster invitee and appears to be fully healthy after missing the final week of the 2025 campaign when the Nationals placed him on the injured list due to right biceps tendinitis. The right-hander looks like a long shot to make the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen and will likely be assigned to Triple-A Round Rock before the end of camp.
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Nate Pearson RP | HOU
Astros' Nate Pearson: Still ramping up after surgery
Pearson (elbow) is still in a velocity ramp-up progression and might not be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros aren't sure whether Pearson will be able to appear in Grapefruit League games, pointing to a likely stint on the injured list to begin the season. Pearson will be stretched out as a starting pitcher, but he does not have minor-league options remaining, so his role once he's healthy could be dependent on the Astros' needs at the time.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Might not be ready for Opening Day
Hader (biceps) could begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros have not ruled Hader out for Opening Day as he works his way back from left biceps inflammation. However, the closer is not included in the team's roster projection by Rome, who writes that it's "difficult to envision" the Astros rushing Hader back for the opener. Hader is currently limited to playing light catch on flat ground and it's unclear when he'll be allowed to throw off a mound again. If Hader does need to miss time, Bryan Abreu would assume the closer role for the Astros.