MLB Player News

Hentges is dealing with some swelling in his finger and will visit with a doctor Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear how long the finger has been an issue, but Hentges hasn't been great this spring, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. A more specific diagnosis and timetable should be available after Thursday's examination.

Stephan will undergo surgery on his right elbow in the next week or two, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The specific procedure and a timetable aren't yet known, but Bell relays that Stephan's UCL was "not providing adequate stability," necessitating the need for the operation. More information on a recovery timeline for Stephan should be known once he goes under the knife, but unless he gets an arthroscopic procedure, the veteran reliever could miss the entire 2024 season. He had been slated to serve in a setup role ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase but should now be considered out indefinitely.

Richards allowed one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings of relief during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out two.

The veteran righty has 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings this spring, but he's also issued five free passes as he tries to iron out the kinks before Opening Day. Richards' ability to rack up bulk Ks via his elite changeup, and his flexible role in the Blue Jays bullpen, keep him on the fantasy radar in deeper formats -- over 72.2 innings in 2023 he collected 105 strikeouts, two wins and a career-high 11 holds, but they came with a 4.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

Martin (groin) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Martin had to have a live BP session scratched last weekend because of right groin tightness, but he's been playing catch and is expected to be fine. The tall right-hander will be a setup man ahead of closer Kenley Jansen again this season.

Weissert struck out one over a hitless and scoreless relief inning in Wednesday's spring game against the Yankees.

Weissert, who was acquired from the Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade, has allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.2 Grapefruit League innings. There are few moving parts as the Red Sox evaluate bullpen arms, and Weissert appears to be on the bubble at this stage. He was added to the bullpen in a roster projection compiled by Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, who noted Zack Kelly, Chris Murphy, Joe Jacques, Joely Rodriguez and Lucas Luetge as possibilities.

Mata (hamstring) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The plan going forward is to have Mata throw another bullpen session and potentially face live hitters next week. The right-hander may eventually get into a game before the end of camp. It's likely Mata will be placed on the injured list to start the season.

Montas allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over three innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Giants.

Montas, making his third Cactus League start, walked three batters and threw a wild pitch in the first inning and was pulled from the game. He came back out for the second inning and pitched into the fourth, when he hit a batter and surrendered two home runs. Cincinnati's Opening Day starter was scheduled to go five innings, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, but his wavering command did him in early. Montas told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he couldn't land his breaking stuff for strikes and had just one consistent pitch (his sinker). He'll get two more spring starts to prepare for Opening Day.

The Tigers reassigned Hanifee to minor-league camp Thursday.

Hanifee made three relief appearances for the Tigers during the 2023 campaign and rejoined Detroit on a minor-league deal in the offseason after being non-tendered in November, but he never looked to be a realistic candidate to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2024 season.

Schreiber is viewed as a lock to make the Royals' bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Schreiber's role is yet to be officially defined by manager Matt Quatraro, but it's likely he is in the high-leverage mix after logging nine saves and 33 holds over 110 appearances between 2022 and 2023 for the Red Sox. The right-handed reliever has done everything right in spring so far, allowing five hits and striking out five without walking a batting over five innings through five Cactus League appearances. In addition to Schreiber, Will Smith and James McArthur are seen as the Royals' top relievers, with Smith most likely to close given his past work as a closer.

Uribe could be in line to receive regular save chances with Devin Williams (back) out for three months, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Uribe and Joel Payamps project as the two likely candidates to take over as Milwaukee's closer after Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back Wednesday. In his first season of big-league action, Uribe logged a 1.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 30.2 frames. However, neither Uribe (six earned runs, 4.1 innings) nor Payamps (five earned runs, 2.2 innings) have put together a strong spring, making it unclear who the early favorite is for Opening Day.