MLB Player News

Vesia was one of 16 pitchers named to the Dodgers' Opening Day roster Thursday.

Vesia's inclusion on the roster was expected following a breakthrough campaign last season, during which he posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. He eventually became the team's go-to left-handed reliever and finished with nine holds and one save. Vesia will likely work in a high-leverage role again as Los Angeles' top southpaw out of the bullpen in 2022.

The Dodgers placed Kahnle (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Kahnle was moved to the IL along with fellow relievers Victor Gonzalez (elbow) and Caleb Ferguson (elbow) as the Dodgers narrowed their Opening Day roster down to the mandatory 28 players ahead of Friday's game in Colorado. Like Ferguson, Kahnle is recovering from late-2020 Tommy John surgery, with both pitchers seemingly in the final phase of their rehab programs after making appearances in Cactus League play. Ferguson made three relief appearances, while Kahnle made his spring debut Tuesday, when he struck out two over a scoreless frame. Kahnle should soon report to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment, and if all goes well, he could join the big-league bullpen by the end of April.

The Dodgers placed Ferguson (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Along with Victor Gonzalez (elbow), Tommy Kahnle (elbow) and Jimmy Nelson (elbow), Ferguson will be one of four Dodgers relievers to open the season the IL. Ferguson made three appearances during Cactus League play, so he's seemingly near the finish line in his recovery from September 2020 Tommy John surgery. He should be ready to report to an affiliate soon for a rehab assignment, with his return date from the IL likely to depend on when the Dodgers feel confident he's regained his command.

The Dodgers placed Gonzalez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left elbow inflammation, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Gonzalez presumably picked up the injury coming out of his final Cactus League appearance March 31. Given that Gonzalez's elbow issue is being characterized as inflammation, he may just require a few days off to allow the swelling subside before he's able to ramp up again. A lengthy stint on the injured list wouldn't appear to be in the cards for Gonzalez, who turned in a 3.57 ERA over 35.1 innings with the Dodgers across 44 appearances last season.

The Dodgers optioned Bickford to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Bickford missed a good chunk of Cactus League play due to a bout with arm soreness, but he was able to toss a pair of scoreless innings Saturday and Tuesday to erase any concerns about his health. Even so, the missed time looks as though it was enough to cost Bickford a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen. Bickford found success as a right-handed specialist for the Dodgers late in the 2021 season, so he'll likely rank near the top of the list for a call-up when Los Angeles requires another reliever.

The Mets placed Reed (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Reed's move to the IL comes after he was unable to make any Grapefruit League appearances this spring due to a left oblique strain. The Mets haven't provided an update regarding where he stands in his recovery, so the expectation is that the reliever will be sidelined for more than the minimum 10 days.

Castano has made the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in March, but he'll rejoin the major-league club as part of the Opening Day bullpen. The southpaw made five appearances (four starts) for the Marlins last year and logged a 4.87 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 20.1 innings.

Armstrong's contract was selected by the Marlins on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Armstrong joined the Marlins as a non-roster invitee in mid-March and posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 4.1 innings across five Grapefruit League starts. He'll presumably pitch in low-leverage situations out of Miami's bullpen.

Coonrod (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Coonrod sustained a shoulder strain in late March and has been shut down from throwing. A timetable for his return is unlikely to be known until he begins a throwing program.

The Padres will include Wilson as one of 15 pitchers on their Opening Day roster.

Wilson will reach the big leagues for the first time after he joined the Padres' 40-man roster in November. The Padres elected to protect him from the Rule 5 draft following a 2021 campaign in which he compiled a 3.43 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 39.1 innings. He'll likely be limited to a mop-up role out of the bullpen early on this season.