MLB Player News

Hicks (elbow), who resumed a throwing program earlier this month, is aiming for a return to the Cardinals at some point in the middle of the season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Though pitchers who undergo Tommy John surgery typically require 12-to-18 months of rehab time, Hicks' status as a relief pitcher likely means that he won't need the full length of the recovery timeline to build up his arm. Given that he underwent the elbow procedure in late June of 2019, Hicks could realistically have a shot at returning around the All-Star break, assuming he endures no snags in the rehab process. Hicks had served as St. Louis' closer prior to damaging his UCL, but the Cardinals could be more inclined to bring him back in a setup role this season once he's reinstated from the injured list.

Rusin signed a minor-league contract with the Braves on Saturday as a non-roster invitee, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rusin spent most of last season with Triple-A Albuquerque, posting a 4.93 ERA and 42:21 K:BB over 65.2 innings. He'll get the chance to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training, although it's unlikely he'll open the season in the majors after struggling to generate production in 2019.

Biddle signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati on Friday, which includes an invitation to spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Biddle spent time in Atlanta, Seattle and Texas last season, struggling to an 8.36 ERA and 2.29 WHIP with a 26:22 K:BB over 28 innings out of the bullpen. Despite his struggles, he'll have a chance to earn a spot in the Reds' bullpen during spring training.

Lawrence was handed an 80-game suspension Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports

Lawrence split the 2019 season between Double-A and Triple-A and struggled at both levels with a combined 8.76 ERA and 2.05 WHIP over 37 innings. The 25-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November 2018 to be protected from the Rule 5 draft after a solid season, but the suspension and a rocky 2019 leaves his standing on the roster unstable at best.

Hicks (elbow) began a throwing program Jan. 6 and is progressing well in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Derek Shore of TheCardinalNation.com reports.

Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery in late June, so the beginning of a throwing program is a major step in his recovery. The 23-year-old will continue building up his arm strength in the coming months, with a return to throwing off the mound being his next major recovery benchmark. Hicks could make a return at some point this year, but it likely would only be for the tail end of the season.

Patino (finger) was invited to the Padres' major-league spring training Thursday.

Patino was shut down at the end of last season with a blister on his finger, but he should be ready to go for spring training, when he'll get the chance to work with the major-league coaching staff. The right-hander appeared briefly at the Double-A level last season after an effective showing at the High-A level. Given his lack of experience against higher-end competition, he's unlikely to open the season in the majors, but he could make his major-league debut sometime in 2020 if he can continue to develop.

Adam signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Adam was non-tendered by the Blue Jays in early December but it's not overly surprising to see him garner interest elsewhere after posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings during 2019. The 28-year-old could slot into a middle relief role with a strong spring training.

Howard was invited to the Phillies' major-league spring training Monday.

Howard battled shoulder soreness last season, but he managed to progress to the Double-A level and record a 2.35 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP over 30.2 innings with Double-A Reading. While he's unlikely to open the season on the major-league roster, he'll get the chance to work with the big-league coaching staff and will likely make his debut in the majors sometime in 2020 if he continues to progress.

Voth's absence from the Nationals' World Series roster was due to a flare-up of his shoulder tendinitis, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Voth recorded a 3.30 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 43.2 innings for the Nationals last season, but missed over a month in the middle of the season with a shoulder injury, an issue which apparently didn't go away completely. That adds some injury risk for him heading into the 2020 campaign, though he's expected to be ready to go at the start of spring training.

Strahm agreed to a one-year contract with San Diego on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Strahm began the 2019 season in the starting rotation before transitioning to a bullpen role later on. He finished with a 4.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118:22 K:BB over 114.2 frames (16 starts).