MLB Player News

Cronin will begin the season as part of the Marlins' bullpen.

The 26-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Astros just before the start of spring training and delivered an 11:5 K:BB through 10.2 Grapefruit League innings for the Marlins. Cronin is expected to work in lower-leverage situations, although his sinker could get him the occasional hold opportunity when Miami needs a double play.

The Brewers optioned Bukauskas to Triple-A Nasvhille on Thursday.

Bukauskas was expected to fill in as a middle reliever in Milwaukee's Opening Day bullpen, but he will instead head to Triple-A after turning in a 1.04 ERA through 8.2 spring innings. Should the Brewers run into bullpen depth issues during the season, the 27-year-old could be one of the first to earn a call back up to Milwaukee.

The Pirates selected Ryan's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ryan won a spot in the Pirates' bullpen after allowing four runs (three earned) with a 10:4 K:BB over 7.2 innings in Grapefruit League play. He'll likely be used in middle relief.

Pearson will begin the season on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster.

The 27-year-old right-hander still has a big fastball, averaging 97.9 mph over 42.2 big-league innings last season, but Pearson only managed a 4.85 ERA and 43:18 K:BB. With Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) on the IL to kick off the campaign, there's a spot in the Opening Day bullpen for Pearson, but he hasn't been mentioned by manager John Schneider as a candidate to fill in for Romano in the ninth inning and will likely work in lower-leverage situations.

The White Sox placed Lambert (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Lambert is recovering from a right rotator cuff strain, and though he's not expected to need surgery to address the injury, he'll still be in store for a prolonged period of rest and rehab before he's ready to pitch again. When healthy last season, Lambert served mostly in a middle-relief role for Chicago, logging three holds and one save to go along with a 5.26 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 37.2 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Treinen (lung) is "a ways away" from returning, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Treinen suffered a bruised lung when he was struck in the chest by a comebacker in early March. He does not appear to have resumed a throwing program yet, and it would appear his absence could be a long one.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Graterol (shoulder) is "a ways away" from a return, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Graterol landed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation prior to the team's series against the Padres in South Korea. It would appear his absence could be an extended one, although Roberts didn't offer up much specificity.

The Marlins placed Simpson on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left elbow ulnar neuritis.

Simpson seemed likely to begin the season with a middle-relief role in the bullpen for Miami, but he dealt with elbow discomfort during spring training and will open the season on the IL. According to MLB.com, Simpson was able to throw last week while hitters stood in the batter's box, so it may not be long before he's ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

The Marlins placed Chargois (neck) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

The right-hander was shut down from throwing in mid-March due to neck spasms, so it's not a shock he's unavailable to begin the season. It's unclear how long Chargois is expected to be sidelined.

The Phillies placed Rucker on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right hand arterial vasospasm.

More specifically, Rucker's right middle finger had been bothering him in spring training, as he didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 1. Per MLB.com, Rucker isn't dealing with any sort of nerve issue or thoracic outlet syndrome even though he experienced numbness in the finger, but it's unclear when he might be ready to make his season debut.