MLB Player News

Antone will be a part of the Reds' 60-man player pool this season.

A member of the 40-man roster, Antone logged a 4.65 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 71.2 innings at Triple-A last year. He has yet to make his big-league debut, and if he does reach the majors this season, it would likely be as a low-leverage reliever.

Biddle will be a part of the Reds' 60-man player pool this season.

Biddle is not on the 40-man roster and was limited this spring as he returned from shoulder surgery. However, with this news, it's possible he will get work in low-leverage spots out of the big-league bullpen at some point this season.

Brebbia (elbow) was placed on the 45-day injured list Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It was announced this week that he 30-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in early June, so his removal from the 40-man roster was only a matter of time. Brebbia will miss all of the 60 games in 2020 but could return during midseason 2021 if all goes well in his recovery.

Hicks (elbow) will be monitored especially closely with respect to COVID-19 protocol when the regular season begins due to the fact he's a Type 1 diabetic, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Naturally, Hicks' surgically repaired elbow will also get plenty of attention, and president of baseball operations John Mozeliak confirms the hard-throwing reliever will be eased back into game action once the regular season begins. Hicks has already been throwing from a mound and has also expressed his intent to play despite the fact he's at higher risk in the current COVID environment. "From the Tommy John perspective, he's had so far a very positive rehab," Mozeliak said. "In terms of expectations, I don't think it's in anybody's interest to lay that out today, but I am hopeful that he does participate in this year's season."

Arano (shoulder) is expected to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Arano missed most of the 2019 campaign after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery last May, though Zolecki's report notes the righty's offseason shoulder soreness as the main issue he's working his way back from. The reliever has been building up stamina at his home in Mexico, so the Phillies haven't had their eyes on him directly, but they appear confident in his health nonetheless. Arano owns a career 2.65 ERA in 74.2 big-league innings and could be a factor near the back of the Phillies' bullpen if he returns to form this season.

Lamet should be able to pitch through the truncated 2020 season without restrictions, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet missed the entire 2018 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery, leading to the expectation that he would still have somewhat of a monitored workload for at least part of 2020. With only 60 games on the regular-season schedule, however, it makes sense that Lamet will be able to let loose without limitations as long as he remains healthy. The right-hander could stake a claim as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in the league after fanning 105 hitters in 73 innings last season.

Alzolay is a candidate for the Cubs' three-player "taxi squad" for road trips to begin the regular season, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Tyler Chatwood figures to secure the No. 5 starter spot, which would push Alzolay out of contention for the rotation. The latter could still potentially snag a bullpen role, but the taxi squad makes a lot of sense for the 25-year-old. MLB teams will be allowed to add these players onto their regular rosters if a need arises while on the road. Alzolay, who made two starts for the Cubs last season and 15 starts for Triple-A Iowa, would figure to be available as a spot starter under this scenario.

Jansen strongly indicated on 710 ESPN Los Angeles that he will not opt out of the 2020 season, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reports. "I don't want to live my life in fear of something," Jansen said. "I'm going to be cautious, make sure I wash my hands, if I'm in a clubhouse, just keep my distance. But health-wise I think I'm fine, I feel great, thank God."

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, players considered "high risk" can opt out of the season and still receive their full pro-rated pay. Jansen underwent a procedure in November of 2018 to fix an irregular heartbeat, so he would be considered "high risk" for an MLB player, but it sounds like he fully intends to return to his role as endgamer for the Dodgers in 2020.

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak revealed Wednesday that Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery three weeks ago, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

This is a fairly significant blow to the Cardinals, as Brebbia has been a rock in the bullpen with a 3.14 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over the past three seasons. He was given a bigger role last year and came through, recording 12 holds while blowing only one lead in 66 appearances. Ryan Helsley, 25, will likely move up a rung on the ladder and take on a lot of Brebbia's work in the mid-to-late innings.

Hicks (elbow) would likely be part of a closing committee as opposed to having sole possession of the ninth-inning job for much, if not all, of a shortened 2020 season, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hummel is answering a reader question about how heavy Hicks' workload would be right from the start, with any 2020 season now likely to begin right around the point where Hicks might be healthy enough to pitch. The hard-throwing right-hander will be taking the mound for the first time since June 2019 when he does return, so Hummel's assessment of shared responsibility seems to be supported by logic, especially when considering expanded rosters and a season not likely to exceed 60 games.