MLB Player News

Alzolay (lat) landed on the 60-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Alzolay was diagnosed with a right lat strain earlier in the week that is expected to keep him out for at least two months. That lines up nicely with a 60-day injured list stint, allowing the Cubs to open up an extra 40-man roster spot until he heals. He's ineligible to return until early June.

Nelson (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday.

Nelson joined the Dodgers on a major-league deal Tuesday despite the fact that he's working his way back from Tommy John surgery last August. If he makes it back this season, it will be only for a brief stint at the end of the year. The move makes way for the Dodgers to add Danny Duffy, who's making his way back from a forearm injury of his own.

Peters (back) is scheduled to start Sunday's spring game against the Blue Jays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Peters ended 2021 on the injured list with a strained lower back, but he's ready to go early in spring training for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old was acquired by the Pirates at the trade deadline last year and pitched well in six starts with a 3.71 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 26.2 frames. He's a strong bet to begin 2022 in the starting rotation.

Reyes (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for two weeks after receiving an injection in his right shoulder Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes is dealing with some shoulder soreness to open camp and underwent an MRI earlier this week, and it's now confirmed he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. Once cleared to start a throwing program, the 27-year-old will remain at the Cardinals' extended spring training site as he ramps up his workload. He's set to at least miss the first few weeks of the season, leaving Giovanny Gallegos and Genesis Cabrera to potentially split closing duties.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Gsellman recorded a 3.77 ERA with the Mets last season, but that came in just 28.2 innings as he was limited by a lat injury. It also came with a very low 14.3 percent strikeout rate. He'll compete for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Pomeranz is playing catch but remains doubtful for Opening Day as he works his way back from flexor tendon surgery, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz underwent the procedure back in August. While it's a positive that he's been able to play catch, he's yet to throw off a mound. The lefty has closer upside once he's eventually healthy, as he owns a 1.62 ERA and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate over the last two innings, but injuries have unfortunately been the story throughout much of the veteran's career.

Gallegos (personal) is expected to arrive at spring training Thursday and will join the full team Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gallegos was delayed slightly for personal reasons, but it appears it won't cost him more than a week of camp. The 30-year-old right-hander is expected to be part of the Cardinals' closer committee this season, with Alex Reyes (shoulder) and Genesis Cabrera also in the mix.

Doval will be part of the Giants' closer committee in 2022, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler often uses the modern approach to the ninth inning, deploying a committee instead of having one designated closer. Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers will also get work in late-inning situations this season, but Doval is less of a known quantity. The 24-year-old right-hander averaged 98.7 mph on his fastball last season while posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB across 27 innings. His hard-throwing ways are well-suited to closing games out even if he's the least experienced of the three relievers currently in the committee.

Santillan (ankle) is scheduled to start Sunday's spring training game against the Giants, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan underwent ankle surgery during the offseason, but he's been throwing bullpen sessions to open spring training and will make an early start for the Reds. It appears the 24-year-old will be ready for the start of the season despite the procedure. He made his big-league debut for Cincinnati in 2021 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 56:21 K:BB over 43.1 innings with four starts in 26 appearances.

Treinen could be used as a versatile relief option rather than as a defined closer, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kenley Jansen remains a free agent, leaving the door open for Los Angeles to employ a new closer for the first time in several years. Treinen is the logical heir to Jansen's role, as the 33-year-old posted a dominant 1.99 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 85:25 K:BB while collecting seven saves last season. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated this week that the team may opt for more of a committee approach, suggesting that there are "close to a handful of guys...that can finish games," per Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue. Given Treinen's effectiveness, there is plenty of sense in Los Angeles deploying him in a variety of situations and innings, but it could make for a frustrating situation in fantasy, especially for leagues in which saves carry heavy statistical weight.