MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Assad was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain and will be shut down from throwing for a few days, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The shutdown period is expected to be brief, so the right-hander may not end up missing too much of camp. Assad is poised to compete for the final spot in Chicago's rotation once healthy, but too much of a delayed start to spring training could affect his buildup for the regular season.

The Angels designated Caceres for assignment Tuesday.

The 25-year-old will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for waiver-claim Michael Petersen. Caceres missed the entirety of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery for a lat strain in March.

The Angels claimed Petersen off waivers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Since September, Petersen has gone from the Dodgers to the Marlins to the Blue Jays, and now, to the Angels. The 30-year-old allowed 13 earned runs in 19.2 regular-season innings between the Dodgers and Marlins last season. He'll compete for a spot in the Angels' bullpen.

The White Sox outrighted Wilson to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Wilson had been designated for assignment last week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will be in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee. He posted a 5.71 ERA and 34:26 K:BB over 34.2 regular-season innings with the White Sox in 2024.

Minter (hip) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day, though the Mets are optimistic he'll be available, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander joined New York on a two-year, $22 million contract in mid-January and is poised to serve as a setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Minter is expected to throw his first bullpen of the spring in late February. He underwent hip surgery in August and should be in game-ready condition early in the season even if he's not fully good to go by Opening Day.

The Yankees designated White for assignment Tuesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Brent Headrick, who was claimed off waivers. White was a waiver claim himself just last week and will now go through the waivers process again.

Beeter has been dealing with a right shoulder injury but has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Beeter missed time with a shoulder injury last season in the minors, too, but the Yankees are hopeful the righty is close to putting the issue in the rearview mirror. That said, it might be a bit before Beeter is cleared to appear in Grapefruit League games. The 26-year-old has primarily been a starter in the minors but is under consideration for an Opening Day bullpen role.

Cousins is currently shut down due to a right forearm strain, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

It's possible the reliever will be ready to resume a throwing program next week or the following week, per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. However, the injury has Cousins' availability for Opening Day in question. Cousins was excellent in 37 regular-season appearances for the Yankees last season, holding a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB across 38 innings. If healthy, he could see some high-leverage relief work.

Staumont signed Tuesday with the Reds on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

Staumont split time between the Twins and Cubs organizations in 2024, making all 25 of his big-league appearances with the former club and submitting a 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB in 24.1 regular-season innings. He'll get the chance to compete for a middle-relief role in Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen during spring training.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned Whitlock as a closer candidate Tuesday along with Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Whitlock is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he's slated to face hitters Tuesday and is considered fully healthy as camp opens. It might be a stretch to think he'd be thrown into the ninth inning right away after missing so much time, but Whitlock does boast a career 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 150:29 K:BB over 132.2 regular-season frames as a reliever, picking up nine saves along the way. Justin Slaten was not mentioned by Cora as a closer candidate but could also be in the mix.