MLB Player News

Alexander, who's been sidelined with a left rib stress reaction, will progress to playing catch as his next step when he's ready, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

The southpaw was diagnosed in mid-March and didn't receive an initial recovery timetable, so Monday's report provides only marginally more information. Alexander is eventually expected to serve as a veteran left-handed presence in the sixth and seventh innings for the Athletics, acting as a bridge to the likes of Zach Jackson, Dany Jimenez and Mason Miller in the eighth and ninth frames.

Bernardino was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bernardino was thought to be a sure thing to begin the season with the big-league squad after cruising to a 3.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with a 58:18 K:BB over 50.2 frames a season ago for the Red Sox. He also failed to surrender an earned run over 6.2 innings of Grapefruit League action this spring. While this is certainly a surprising move by Boston, the southpaw should be a candidate for a promotion at some point this year.

Banks will be a member of the White Sox's bullpen to begin the regular season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Banks has been a key contributor out of the team's bullpen for the last two seasons, throwing a combined 124 innings. He hasn't been used in high-leverage roles, however, as he has just one career save and two career holds. Even so, manager Pedro Grifol has stated that the White Sox will not enter the season with a defined closer, so Banks could enter the picture if he starts the season well.

Leasure will make the Opening Day roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Leasure did not allow an earned run until his 10th appearance of Cactus League action, and he's compiled an 11:4 K:BB across 9.1 innings. He's likely to be in immediate contention for high-leverage roles with the team, though manager Pedro Grifol has made it clear that the White Sox will not begin the season with a defined closer.

Brash (elbow) threw 25 pitches at 85 percent effort Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash was recently cleared to resume throwing off a mound, and he's progressed to 85 percent effort after tossing at roughly 70 percent Wednesday. The team will likely re-evaluate the right-hander Tuesday morning to see how he bounces back from his latest side session before determining next steps.

Ginkel is the most likely option to close for the Diamondbacks while Paul Sewald (oblique) is sidelined, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald could be facing a fairly lengthy absence after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. While manager Torey Lovullo didn't want to name a closer in Sewald's absence, but all signs point to Ginkel getting the first crack at the job. The 30-year-old collected a 2.48 ERA and 70:23 K:BB over 65.1 frames during the regular season for Arizona last season, picking up four saves along the way. Ginkel also spun 11.2 shutout innings with a 15:5 K:BB during the postseason.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Sewald has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will start the season on the injured list, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald had a productive spring training, as he allowed no runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings. It's unclear when he sustained the injury, but the right-hander will spend time on the IL to start the 2024 season. With Sewald out, Kevin Ginkel is the most likely candidate to close for the Diamondbacks in the interim.

The Yankees reassigned Santana to minor-league camp Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Santana pitched well this spring, posting a 3.12 ERA and 10:0 K:BB over 8.2 frames. It wasn't enough to earn him a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, however, so he'll provide relief depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Manager Joe Espada said that Dubin (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Monday at the Astros' spring training facility, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Facing hitters in a live BP setting marks a meaningful step forward in the recovery process for Dubin, who didn't make any appearances during the Grapefruit League after experiencing shoulder inflammation early in camp. As a reliever, Dubin likely won't require a lengthy ramp-up period, but he appears on track to begin the season on the 15-day injured list unless the Astros elect to option him to Triple-A Sugar Land.

King (illness) was scheduled to face hitters at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

King did not travel with the team to Arizona for its two exhibition games against the Cubs on Monday and Tuesday, but he remains a possibility to be included on the Opening Day roster. The left-handed reliever struggled early on this spring but was unscored upon in his final three Grapefruit League appearances before an illness cropped up.