MLB Player News

Robertson and Brooks Raley are viewed as the primary options for saves for the Mets while Edwin Diaz (knee) is sidelined, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Official word on Diaz won't be available until sometime after his MRI on Thursday, but the Mets are bracing for their star closer to be out for a significant period of time. Robertson would be a natural choice to slide into the ninth inning, having saved 20 games while posting a 2.40 ERA over 58 appearances for the Cubs and Phillies last season. He and Raley are both worthy of being selected in fantasy leagues -- pending news on Diaz -- with Robertson probably the favorite.

Diaz will undergo an MRI on his right knee Thursday afternoon and initial indications are that the injury is "bad," one source told Andy Martino of SNY.tv.

Martino writes that those briefed on the situation "fear that Diaz could be lost for a significant period, perhaps the entire season." The report comes as no surprise, unfortunately, as the right knee injury Diaz sustained Wednesday following Puerto Rico's win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic certainly looked major. The Mets could reveal the results of Diaz's MRI as soon as Thursday evening.

Diaz injured his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday in the World Baseball Classic and will undergo imaging on his knee Thursday.

After striking out the side to secure the victory for Puerto Rico, Diaz was swarmed by his teammates on the mound before collapsing. He needed to be taken off the field in a wheelchair and appeared to be in a great deal of pain. He could face an extended absence, but we'll know more once his test results come back Thursday.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Martin is experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder and will undergo further testing Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Martin fell to his knees in pain immediately after throwing a pitch in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Brewers. It was originally speculated to be an arm/elbow injury for the 27-year-old righty, but a shoulder issue is now confirmed. A better idea of how long Martin may be out for should be gleaned from his test results.

Martin was forced to leave Wednesday's spring training game against Milwaukee after throwing a pitch and collapsing to the ground in pain, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Early speculation is a potentially serious arm injury, but there's been no official confirmation as of yet. Based on the amount of pain Martin seemed to be in, it's possible he may end up missing an extended period of time.

Diaz suffered a right leg injury Wednesday while celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After striking out the side to secure the victory for Puerto Rico, Diaz was swarmed by his teammates on the mound before trainers were brought out to tend to him. There is no official word yet on the severity of Diaz's injury, but the fact he couldn't put any weight on his right leg and had to be taken off the field in a wheelchair is not a great sign. More updates on the All-Star closer's status should emerge shortly.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Melancon has a shoulder issue and will likely miss the beginning of the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo previously said the veteran reliever was battling arm fatigue and emphasized that Melancon was fine. Now that it seems like Melancon will be sidelined for the start of the season, the door opens for other relievers like Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin to pick up some saves early in the year.

With Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger viewed as the Cubs' top closing options, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Hughes may have to settle for setup work.

Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the team in the offseason and have plenty of experience in big relief spots, so it makes sense that the Cubs view them as their top closing options. Hughes did pick up eight saves toward the end of last season, though he may also be Chicago's only left-handed reliever to start this year; therefore, the team may use him at different points in games based on matchups. The 27-year-old may see his fantasy value diminish if he's not closing out contests, but he could have some appeal in leagues that count holds.

Wilson (elbow) began a flat-ground throwing program and has been "progressing nicely," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Wilson signed with the Brewers in February while in the process of recovering from the Tommy John procedure he underwent in June. The team still expects the veteran reliever to return in July, at which point he will likely give the Brewers some bullpen depth and see most of his appearances during low-leverage scenarios.

Honeywell has tallied 16 strikeouts through 11.1 innings this spring in the Cactus League.

That's the positive angle to Honeywell's performance thus far in exhibition action. The negative is that he has surrendered 10 runs -- eight earned -- on 12 hits (three homers) for an ERA of 6.35. The 27-year-old former Rays prospect signed a split contract with the Padres over the winter ($725,000 in the majors, $200,000 in the minors) and will likely be ticketed for Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2023 campaign.