MLB Player News

Romano (elbow) isn't expected to need much time to build back up once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound again, and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins believes the right-hander will only need a minimum stay on the injured list, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

The Toronto closer was given an anti-inflammatory injection early last week after an MRI on his elbow showed no structural issues. A backdated placement on the IL for Romano and a minimum 15-day stay could have him back in the Jays bullpen as early as April 9 against the Mariners. In the right-hander's absence, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza are all candidates to handle save chances.

The Royals placed Brentz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Brentz suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in mid-March. The injury will likely keep him sidelined for the first several weeks of the season.

The Royals placed Taylor on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left arm/biceps nerve injury.

Taylor dealt with back and biceps issues this spring but pitched well when healthy. It's not clear how long the biceps injury might keep the left-handed reliever on the shelf.

The Royals placed Hernandez on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.

Hernandez missed all of spring training with the shoulder issue. He resumed mound work about a week ago, but there's no timetable for his return to the active roster.

The Twins placed Weiss (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

As expected, Weiss won't be part of the Twins' season-opening bullpen while he recovers from a right shoulder strain. Once activated, Weiss will likely be in line for low-leverage relief work.

Minnesota placed Topa on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left patellar tendinitis.

With closer Jhoan Duran also opening the season on the IL with an oblique strain that will likely keep him sidelined for most of April, Topa might have been in position to cover some high-leverage innings out of the bullpen early in the season, but his own knee issue will foil those plans. Topa and Duran are joined on the shelf by four other relievers, leaving Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart as the most likely options to factor into the mix for saves in the first few weeks of the season.

The Twins placed Thielbar (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Thielbar is one of six Twins relievers that will begin the season on the injured list. He's eligible for activation April 9, but since he didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games while recovering from the left hamstring strain, Thielbar may need more than the minimum 15 days to complete his recovery before being ready to join Minnesota.

The Twins placed Staumont on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left calf strain.

Staumont was on track to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but his bid was derailed when he slipped in the bullpen earlier this week and apparently suffered the calf strain in the process. The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Staumont will be eligible to return from the IL as soon as April 9.

The Twins placed Duran (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Duran suffered a moderate right oblique strain nearly two weeks ago and is likely to miss most, if not all, of April with the injury. Manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't committed to a closer while Duran is out, but Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart are the top candidates.

The Twins selected Duarte's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Duarte netted a spot in Minnesota's bullpen after collecting a 2.92 ERA and a 12:0 K:BB in 12.1 innings during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old will likely be utilized in a middle-relief role.