MLB Player News

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saied Wednesday that Middleton isn't in Cardinals camp due to a stomach bug, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The illness looks to be a minor setback for Middleton, who should be able to get back up to speed quickly. The reliever inked a one-year contract with St. Louis earlier this month and is slated to handle middle-relief work.

Fleming signed a one-year, split contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 27-year-old will earn $850,000 if he's in the majors. Murray writes that the Pirates plan to use Fleming as a long reliever who could occasionally make a spot start. The left-hander holds a career 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 144:69 K:BB across 223.1 major-league innings covering parts of four seasons.

Patino isn't yet at Padres camp due to an issue with his visa, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Patino rejoined the Padres off waivers in December after spending the past three campaigns in the American League. It's not clear what his role with San Diego will be this season, though his experience as both a starter and middle reliever could be useful for what currently projects to be a thin rotation. The visa issue isn't likely to impact Patino's readiness for the start of the regular season.

Peralta is not currently in Padres camp due to an issue with his visa, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Peralta signed a four-year deal with San Diego on Jan. 31, and he's expected to be a key high-leverage reliever for the club this season. Though the native of the Dominican Republic hasn't yet been able to join his teammates in camp, the issue isn't likely to impact his readiness for the start of the regular season.

Chirinos signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos was effective across 25 starts combined between the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Rays, but a combination of struggles on the field and a serious elbow injury have derailed his opportunity in the majors since then. The Marlins have a deep rotation so Chirinos isn't likely to find immediate opportunity, though he could be a leading candidate for spot starts when injuries occur if he can stick in the organization.

Bellati cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by Philadelphia last week but will remain in the organization after he passed through waivers unclaimed. Bellati will still join the Phillies for big-league camp after he posted a 5.11 ERA over 24.2 innings last year.

Ort was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Marlins last week and will now join his fourth team of the offseason. Ort made 21 appearances for the Red Sox last season and had a 6.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB across 23 innings.

Bard (forearm) will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and is expected to begin the regular season on the injured list, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Bard finished 2023 on the IL with a flexor strain in his right forearm and will begin 2024 in the same fashion after he suffered a torn meniscus in a throwing session just over a week ago. The 38-year-old had a 4.56 ERA and 47:49 K:BB in 49.1 innings last season and was expected to compete for the closer role during spring training. A projected 5-to-7-week recovery timeline from surgery means Bard likely won't be game ready until April.

Lamet has yet to report to Dodgers camp because of a visa issue, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Pitchers and catchers reported last week for the Dodgers since they begin their season early. While Lamet still has time to get up to speed, a late start won't help his chances at winning a job as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander held an 11.71 ERA across 27.2 innings with the Rockies and Red Sox last season.

Diaz (knee) had no issues after throwing a bullpen session Monday on a back mound at the Mets' spring training complex, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

"Finally back," the right-hander said after the session. "I'm ready to go." Diaz missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a knee injury he suffered in the World Baseball Classic, but he appears fully recovered from surgery and ready to resume his role as the Mets' closer. While he is throwing off a mound, the 29-year-old has yet to begin fielding bunts or covering bases during defensive drills, but those milestones will happen soon enough as spring training ramps up. Diaz recorded 32 saves in both 2021 and 2022, and if he stays healthy in 2024, he figures to deliver similar numbers again.