MLB Player News
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Availability uncertain for 2026
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss acknowledged Wednesday that he's uncertain if Jimenez (knee) will be available to pitch at any point in 2026, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Jimenez won't participate in spring training after he required a cleanup procedure on his left knee in November. The reliever previously had surgery to address cartilage damage in the same knee in November 2024, resulting in him missing the entire 2025 season. Weiss described Jimenez's more recent setback with the knee as a "very complex injury," prompting Atlanta to take a cautious approach with his recovery. After being placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Jimenez won't be available for the first two months of the season, and given Weiss' pessimistic comments, the 31-year-old righty seems likely to be sidelined through at least the All-Star break.
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Re-ups with Dodgers
The Dodgers re-signed Phillips (elbow) to a one-year, $6.5 million contract Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Phillips was non-tendered earlier this offseason after having Tommy John surgery last May. It seems likely he will miss at least the first half of the season, but the $6.5 million investment suggests the Dodgers expect Phillips to contribute for a significant chunk of 2026. Phillips boasts a 2.22 ERA and 221:52 K:BB over 195 regular-season frames for the Dodgers.
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Andrew Nardi RP | MIA
Marlins' Andrew Nardi: Healthy to kick off spring
Nardi (back) threw a live bullpen session during Wednesday's workout at spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Nardi didn't pitch in 2025 after experiencing lower-back inflammation in spring training and requiring an injection in late April to relieve discomfort. The lefty reliever was able to throw off a mound before the end of the season, and he appears to have turned a corner in his recovery over the offseason. Nardi could resurface as a setup or middle-relief arm for Miami after maintaining a 4.51 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 167:53 K:BB over 121.2 career innings in the big leagues.
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Daniel Palencia RP | CHC
Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Named closer by manager
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Palencia will open the season as the team's closer, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Palencia had a breakout 2025 campaign for the Cubs, putting up a 2.91 ERA and 61:16 K:BB over 52.2 regular-season innings while notching 22 saves. He missed time in September with a shoulder injury and, after returning, ceded the closer role to Brad Keller. However, after Keller signed with the Phillies this offseason, Palencia is set to return to the ninth inning. There's some risk that Palencia's control will regress in 2026, as he had a 7.4 percent walk rate in 2025 after walking batters at a 13.8 percent clip his first two seasons. However, the 26-year-old has electric stuff and showed last season he can handle the pressure of the ninth inning.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Looks healthy to begin spring
Alvarado (forearm) was seen throwing a bullpen session Wednesday during the Phillies' first workout of spring training, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Alvarado's ability to complete a side session would seem to suggest that he's made a full recovery from the left forearm strain that landed him on the injured list Sept. 12. The southpaw served an 80-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs to begin last season, but he was one of manager Rob Thomson's more trusted bullpen arms when available, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB in 26 innings. After having his $9 million club option for 2026 picked up over the winter, Alvarado should slot in as one of the top setup men in front of closer Jhoan Duran.
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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Braves' Robert Suarez: Reports to camp after brief delay
Suarez reported to Atlanta's camp Wednesday after being delayed by a visa issue, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Suarez was tardy by just one day, so his preparation will not be affected. The veteran reliever signed a three-year, $45 million contract this offseason and is slated to open the 2026 season as the primary setup man for closer Raisel Iglesias.
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Joe Jimenez RP | ATL
Braves' Joe Jimenez: Placed on 60-day IL
Atlanta placed Jimenez (knee) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Jimenez missed all of last year after undergoing surgery in November 2024 to address damaged cartilage in his left knee. He underwent another cleanup procedure in November 2025 for the same issue, and he will now officially sit out at least the first 60 days of the new season. His 40-man roster spot will be filled by Brett Wisely, who was acquired in a trade with the Rays on Tuesday.
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Dylan Lee RP | ATL
Braves' Dylan Lee: Wins arbitration case
Lee will make $2.2 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing with Atlanta on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The club had filed for $2 million, but Lee will be awarded an extra $200,000 after posting a 3.29 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 68.1 frames last season. Raisel Iglesias figures to remain the go-to option for saves in Atlanta, but Lee should receive plenty of high-leverage opportunities after posting a 10.0 K/9 in 2025 and tallying a career-high 19 holds.
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George Soriano RP | STL
Cardinals' George Soriano: Traded to St. Louis
The Cardinals acquired Soriano from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for Andre Granillo, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Soriano has been bouncing around via waivers this offseason and is now joining his fifth organization of the winter. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so he's a good bet to open the season in the Cardinals' bullpen. Soriano holds a career 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB across 118 innings at the big-league level.
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A.J. Minter RP | NYM
Mets' A.J. Minter: Expected to miss first month
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that the team is targeting early May for Minter's (lat) season debut, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.
Minter will get a late start to the season after undergoing left lat surgery last May. It's not clear where the veteran reliever is at in his throwing program, but he will be slow-played during spring training before eventually going out on a rehab assignment. Once healthy, Minter will fill a setup role ahead of closer Devin Williams.