MLB Player News

The Twins reassigned Dobnak to minor-league camp Sunday, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Dobnak had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee after the Twins had removed him from their 40-man roster following the 2024 season. The 30-year-old right-hander spent most of the past season at Triple-A St. Paul but made five relief appearances for Minnesota in the second half of the campaign, logging a 5.59 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 9.2 innings. He's poised to once again serve as pitching depth at the Triple-A level in 2025 before likely heading into free agency next offseason, when Minnesota is expected to decline his $6 million team option for 2026.

The Twins optioned Canterino (shoulder) to minor-league camp Sunday, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Canterino made just one Grapefruit League appearance before suffering a right shoulder strain and getting shut down. He'll likely open the upcoming season on Triple-A St. Paul's injured list.

The Cubs reassigned Hughes to minor-league camp Sunday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After turning in an 8.15 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 17.2 innings in the majors with Arizona in 2024, Hughes had to settle for a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter. His contract included an invitation to MLB spring training, but the 29-year-old lefty faced long odds to win a spot in the Cubs' season-opening bullpen. Hughes is expected to begin the campaign in a relief role at Triple-A Iowa.

While Almonte is expected to start the season in the minors, he could be a bullpen option for the Cubs over the summer, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Almonte figures to start the year with Triple-A Iowa. The righty had a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings with Chicago last season before entering free agency in November, but he wound up returning on a minor-league deal. Should he make it back to the majors, Almonte will likely serve in a middle relief role and have limited fantasy appeal.

Pannone was diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his left forearm Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury last weekend and will be shut down from throwing for at least one month. Pannone could miss the first couple months of the season before taking the mound for Triple-A Nashville.

Hoffman gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Saturday's split-squad game against the Tigers.

Signed in the offseason to be the Blue Jays' new closer, Hoffman has looked the part so far in camp, posting a 5:0 K:BB over three scoreless frames, and Jace Jung's single on Saturday was the first baserunner the right-hander had allowed. Hoffman recorded a career-high 10 saves last season for the Phillies, but he should smash that mark in 2025.

Kinley has not allowed a run and has a 6:1 K:BB across four innings of Cactus League action.

Kinley is among the top candidates to begin the season as Colorado's closer, and he's performed very well to begin spring training. He earned a career-high 12 saves with the Rockies in 2024, though that was paired with an ugly 6.19 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

Iglesias gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Atlanta's closer has been sharp in camp, posting a 0.00 ERA and 3:1 K:BB in his three innings so far. Iglesias has produced 67 saves along with a 2.30 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 9.79 K/9 over the last two seasons, and the 35-year-old is entrenched in his ninth-inning role heading into Opening Day.

Sands threw a perfect inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League win over Boston, striking out three without allowing a baserunner. He's given up three runs in 2.2 innings this spring with four strikeouts and two walks.

Sands emerged as a solid relief arm in 2024. His average fastball velocity jumped from 93.6 mph in 2023 to 95.5 mph last season, and his control improved as well. He'll be used in a high-leverage role again and could be a sneaky source of holds after recording only six in 62 appearances last year.

Estevez (back) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Tuesday before potentially making his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander has been brought along slowly during the first half of camp due to lower-back tightness, but he's now ramping up his throwing program and is on the cusp of game action. Assuming everything goes well this week, Estevez should be able to make a few spring appearances and be ready for Opening Day. After recording 57 saves over the prior two seasons between the Angels and Phillies, Estevez is expected to begin the season as the Royals' closer.