MLB Player News

Law figures to be part of the Nationals' high-leverage crew this season, but it's not clear if he'll get a chance to audition for the open closer role.

Speaking to reporters earlier in camp, general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that Law would be a key bullpen piece for Washington, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "We don't have a proven commodity at that position, but if the season started today, we would have a guy that we would say would be our ninth-inning guy," Rizzo said. "I don't know who it is yet. It could be Jose Ferrer. It could be Jorge Lopez. Law could have some leverage innings. And it could come from somebody that we haven't thought about yet." The latter category might also include Lucas Sims, who signed with the team earlier this week. Law has mainly been a middle reliever during a big-league career that stretches back to 2016, but he is coming off one of his best statistical seasons, posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 76:24 K:BB over 90 innings with career highs in appearances (75), wins (seven) and holds (17).

Holmes struck out three over three perfect innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 31-year-old right-hander has made only four starts among his 311 career big-league appearances and none since 2018, but Holmes' attempt to win a spot in the Mets' rotation this spring got off to a brilliant start. He fired 26 of 34 pitches for strikes, and per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Holmes worked in seven changeups and a couple cutters, two new pitches that could help expand his arsenal from the sinker/slider/sweeper mix that allowed him to rack up 74 saves over the last three seasons for the Yankees.

Manager Bob Melvin said Sunday that Miller is dealing with some finger numbness, but the issue isn't significant enough to require any medical testing, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The left-hander is expected to be ready to go within the next few days, but the Giants planned to slow play him early in camp regardless of the injury due to workload concerns. Miller made 73 appearances as a rookie last year and had a 3.88 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB across 67.1 innings while recording 14 holds.

The Royals are viewing Bowlan as a reliever, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Two of Bowlan's three big-league appearances to date have come in a starting role, though he's gone a mere 4.2 innings combined in those outings. The right-hander has worked almost exclusively as a starter in the minors as well, but the Royals appear set to deploy him out of the bullpen when he's with the big-league club. Bowlan has one minor-league option remaining, which gives the team some flexibility in terms of managing a relief corps that is comprised of mostly veteran arms.

Jimenez could end up missing the entire 2025 season as he recovers from offseason knee surgery, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta hasn't ruled the right-hander out yet, and if his rehab goes well he could rejoin the big-league bullpen soon after the All-Star break. Jimenez had the best statistical season of his career in 2024 despite pitching with pain in his left knee from July on, posting a 2.62 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 82:23 K:BB over 68.2 innings while racking up a career-high 27 holds. In his absence, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer and Dylan Lee figure to be the primary setup men for closer Raisel Iglesias. "I'm just focusing on my rehab," Jimenez said this week in camp. "Obviously it's a long process, but I come here every day to work and try to do everything that I can just to make it right now."

Reynolds is in a walking boot Sunday due to a stress reaction in his right foot and is expected to remain in the boot for 10 more days, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made his big-league debut last summer and had a 0.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 11 innings before finishing the year in the minors, but the foot injury could derail his chances of winning a spot on San Diego's Opening Day roster. Even if Reynolds begins the campaign back at Triple-A El Paso, it should only be a matter of time before he's back in the big leagues.

Berroa has a Grade 1 right elbow strain, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Berroa was pulled from Saturday's Cactus League contest against the Cubs after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow, and subsequent testing revealed the elbow strain. The White Sox haven't yet announced a timeline or course of action for the reliever's return, but Grade 1 strains typically require several weeks of recovery. Berroa entered spring training as a candidate for a high-leverage role in Chicago's bullpen after posting a 3.32 ERA and 12.3 K/9 over 19 innings with the team last season.

Bautista (elbow) threw live batting practice Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista's throwing session Sunday represented the first time he has faced live hitters since he underwent Tommy John surgery in October of 2023. The 29-year-old stated last week that he's confident in his ability to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, and all signs so far point to that scenario being a legitimate possibility. However, Bautista isn't expected to appear in any Grapefruit League contests until late in spring training, and how he fares when he gets back on the mound in exhibition play could be a determining factor in his return date for regular-season action.

Murphy (elbow) has thrown two bullpen sessions early this spring, Christopher Smith of MassLive reports.

Murphy has thrown a 10-pitch and a 15-pitch bullpen this spring as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last April. The southpaw missed all of last season due to the procedure after throwing 47.2 innings over 20 appearances out of the bullpen for the Red Sox as a rookie in 2023. Smith said Sunday that he's currently aiming to throw to live hitters April 10 and that there's a possibility he could be ready for game action during the first half of the campaign. He added that he's unsure what his role will be upon making it back to the big club, though Smith indicated a desire to be used in a multi-inning role, saying, "I feel like that's something that's going on in baseball now -- guys that can go two innings, guys that can go three innings. So have some utility."

Merryweather (knee) pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He allowed a hit and a walk.

Merryweather missed the majority of last season due to rib and knee injuries and ended up making only 15 appearances for the Cubs, with his last one coming on Aug. 25. While he likely won't be in the mix for saves in 2025 with Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge around, it's encouraging just to see Merryweather back on the mound. He figures to work in middle relief and likely won't have a ton of fantasy appeal in most formats.