MLB Player News

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Brash (elbow) should be ready for the start of spring training and a season debut in the third week of April is the best-case scenario for the reliever, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

While everything with Brash's recovery from last May's internal brace procedure has come along swimmingly, Dipoto acknowledged the uncertainty with how the righty will respond to throwing in Cactus League games. Brash will begin the season on the injured list either way, but the hope is that the stint will be a short one. The 26-year-old boasts a career 31.9 percent strikeout rate and will be in line for high-leverage relief work once he's ready.

Taylor will not be ready for the start of spring training after suffering a right lat strain last week during his offseason throwing program, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Given the nature of the injury and how recent it was, it's possible Taylor's readiness for Opening Day is in question. However, more should be known about a potential timetable deeper into spring training. Taylor looked good in 21 appearances out of the Mariners' bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.72 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings.

The Mariners designated Diaz for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Casey Legumina. Diaz, 28, has been unimpressive over parts of four big-league seasons, compiling a 4.80 ERA and 32:27 K:BB across 45 innings. He should stand a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

The Mariners acquired Legumina from the Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Legumina had been designated for assignment and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 27-year-old reliever holds a 6.95 ERA and 18:11 K:BB across 22 innings covering parts of two seasons at the major-league level.

Joyce is likely to open 2025 as the Angels' closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Joyce enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 34.2 innings across 31 appearances. He worked his way up to a high-leverage role and recorded six holds and four saves over his final 18 appearances. The right-hander certainly has closer-type stuff -- he recently said that he thinks he can top the 105.5 mph fastball he tossed against the Dodgers last year, per Bollinger -- and it appears he'll have the chance to begin 2025 in that role. The Angels don't have much in the way of closer-type arms to offer Joyce competition, so his biggest obstacle to success may be the shaky control he's demonstrated throughout his pro career and his elevated injury risk due to his unmatched velocity.

Silseth (elbow) could compete for the Angels' fifth-starter role during spring training, but he could open the campaign as a reliever or in the minors, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth began 2024 in the Angels' big-league rotation, but he made just two starts before suffering an elbow injury that ultimately landed him on the 60-day IL. The righty did come back to pitch in the minors beginning in early June and made seven starts in Triple-A, but he finished the season on the minor-league IL with continued elbow troubles that required surgery. The procedure wasn't Tommy John, and Silseth is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, but his role for the coming campaign is very much up in the air. Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers may both have a leg up for the fifth spot in the rotation, and while Silseth could be given a chance to compete for that role, he's also a candidate to pitch out of the bullpen or even to open back in Triple-A since he still has minor-league options remaining.

With the Tigers adding Tommy Kahnle on Wednesday, Foley may end up splitting closer duties with the newcomer as well as Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Beau Brieske, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Foley easily led the team in saves last season with 28, while Holton had eight. However, manager A.J. Hinch has shown a willingness to play the matchups at the end of games, so the lefty Holton and others could mix in. As for Kahnle, he's been an effective reliever the past few years, though he's never had more than two saves in a season, so he probably will mostly work as a setup man. Foley is the top Detroit reliever to target at this point, but the fluid nature of the club's bullpen may limit his upside to a degree in 2025.

Whitlock (elbow) said last Monday that he expects to have a "regular spring training," Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there," the pitcher said.

Transitioning from starter to reliever hastens Whitlock's return to action. The right-hander won't need to build up to the 70-80 pitch range over the spring, which gives him a chance to be available for Opening Day.

Leiter lost his arbitration case against the Yankees on Saturday and will make $2.05 million in 2025, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP after being traded from Chicago to New York at last season's trade deadline. His underwhelming performance in pinstripes likely caused the arbitrators to side with the club and will ultimately result in him making $450,000 less than the $2.5 million he filed for. The 33-year-old righty is expected take on a role in middle relief for New York in 2025.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Bautista (elbow) may not be a full-go during spring training, but he's still expected to be ready for Opening Day, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista has been throwing off a mound since August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by the start of spring training, but the Orioles will still bring him along slowly in camp. It's not clear when he might make his Grapefruit League debut, but it doesn't appear he's in any danger of beginning the regular season on the shelf. The 29-year-old righty remains the favorite to lead Baltimore in saves in 2025, but the O's have options for ninth-inning work in Seranthony Dominguez, Yennier Cano and Gregory Soto if the team opts to ease Bautista into high-leverage work.