MLB Player News

Lange (lat) is throwing two bullpen sessions per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Lange underwent right lat surgery last July. It's uncertain when he might be ready to pitch in games, but he would appear to have a good shot to be ready for Opening Day. Lange will be competing for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen, though he does have minor-league options remaining.

Joyce is unlikely to be the Angels' primary closer with the team's signing of Kenley Jansen (shoulder) on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels and Jansen agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Monday, which DiGiovanna notes will likely give Joyce "another year to grow into [the] closer role." It wouldn't make much sense for Los Angeles to have signed Jansen for any other reason than to serve as the team's primary closer, as he currently sits first among active players -- and fourth all-time -- with 447 regular-season saves. While Jansen may be nearing the end of his storied career, he showed he still has gas left in the tank with his performance for Boston last year, which included a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28.4 percent strikeout rate and 27 saves. It's still likely that Joyce will get an occasional save opportunity, per Sam Blum of The Athletic, but at least for one season it appears he will be an understudy to Jansen, which cuts down Joyce's fantasy appeal in most formats considerably.

The Rangers signed Chargois to a minor-league deal Tuesday.

Chargois pitched for Miami and Seattle in 2024, posting a 3-1 record, 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 36 relief appearances. However, despite the impressive numbers, he was designated for assignment by the Mariners in November and will now look to eventually earn a spot in Texas' bullpen.

The Angels designated Caceres for assignment Tuesday.

The 25-year-old will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for waiver-claim Michael Petersen. Caceres missed the entirety of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery for a lat strain in March.

The Angels claimed Petersen off waivers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Since September, Petersen has gone from the Dodgers to the Marlins to the Blue Jays, and now, to the Angels. The 30-year-old allowed 13 earned runs in 19.2 regular-season innings between the Dodgers and Marlins last season. He'll compete for a spot in the Angels' bullpen.

The White Sox outrighted Wilson to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Wilson had been designated for assignment last week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will be in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee. He posted a 5.71 ERA and 34:26 K:BB over 34.2 regular-season innings with the White Sox in 2024.

The Yankees designated White for assignment Tuesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Brent Headrick, who was claimed off waivers. White was a waiver claim himself just last week and will now go through the waivers process again.

Beeter has been dealing with a right shoulder injury but has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Beeter missed time with a shoulder injury last season in the minors, too, but the Yankees are hopeful the righty is close to putting the issue in the rearview mirror. That said, it might be a bit before Beeter is cleared to appear in Grapefruit League games. The 26-year-old has primarily been a starter in the minors but is under consideration for an Opening Day bullpen role.

Cousins is currently shut down due to a right forearm strain, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

It's possible the reliever will be ready to resume a throwing program next week or the following week, per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. However, the injury has Cousins' availability for Opening Day in question. Cousins was excellent in 37 regular-season appearances for the Yankees last season, holding a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB across 38 innings. If healthy, he could see some high-leverage relief work.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned Whitlock as a closer candidate Tuesday along with Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Whitlock is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he's slated to face hitters Tuesday and is considered fully healthy as camp opens. It might be a stretch to think he'd be thrown into the ninth inning right away after missing so much time, but Whitlock does boast a career 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 150:29 K:BB over 132.2 regular-season frames as a reliever, picking up nine saves along the way. Justin Slaten was not mentioned by Cora as a closer candidate but could also be in the mix.