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Bryan Hudson RP | CHW
Brewers' Bryan Hudson: Claims Opening Day bullpen spot
The Brewers informed Hudson on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Hudson has two minor-league options remaining, but he did enough in spring training to solidify his spot in the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen. After being acquired from the Dodgers in January, Hudson looked like one of Milwaukee's more dominant arms in the Cactus League, as he racked up 19 strikeouts against five walks over 12.2 innings while sporting a 3.55 ERA that was inflated by a .438 BABIP. With Devin Williams (back) likely to open the season on the 60-day injured list, the Brewers' closing situation is wide open, but Abner Uribe, Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill look to be the early frontrunners to enter the mix for saves. However, Hudson could eventually work his way into the late-inning picture if he's able to carry over his spring success to the regular season.
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Matt Carasiti RP | ATL
Rockies' Matt Carasiti: Cut from big-league camp
The Rockies reassigned Carasiti to minor-league camp Monday.
Carasiti posted a 6.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 24.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 before he was moved off the 40-man roster in October. He returned to the Rockies on a minor-league deal in February and made a strong case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out 10 over eight scoreless frames in Cactus League play, but Carasiti seemed to get caught up in a numbers game. Assuming he doesn't opt out of his minor-league deal, the 32-year-old right-hander is likely to remain in the organization as bullpen depth at Triple-A Albuquerque.
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Matt Koch RP | COL
Rockies' Matt Koch: Roster bid falls short
The Rockies reassigned Koch to minor-league camp Monday.
Koch made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 and made a strong case in spring training for a roster spot with a 3.52 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings in Cactus League play, but the Rockies ultimately didn't have room for him. The 33-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the season and will look to continue impressing in the Pacific Coast League with the hope of getting a call-up.
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Nationals' Robert Garcia: Only lefty in Opening Day bullpen
Garcia has made the Nationals' 26-man roster to begin the season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The 27-year-old will be the only left-hander in the team's initial bullpen, potentially putting him in line for regular high-leverage work. Garcia posted solid numbers in 2023 over 25 big-league appearances split between the Marlins and Nats, collecting two wins and four holds with a 3.66 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB.
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Carmen Mlodzinski RP | PIT
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Bound for injured list
Mlodzinski (forearm) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Mlodzinki has been sidelined by right forearm tightness since mid-March. He has resumed throwing and would appear to have a shot to return when his 15 days are up or close to it. Mlodzinski is pegged for a setup role, once healthy.
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Jordan Weems RP | LAD
Nationals' Jordan Weems: Solid numbers this spring
Weems has posted a 10:3 K:BB without allowing a home run over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.
The 31-year-old converted catcher established himself as a reliable bullpen option with the Nationals in 2023, recording five wins and seven holds over 51 appearances with a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB. Weems is on the fringes of high-leverage usage but will begin the season behind Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Rainey in the pecking order from the right side, making him unlikely to see any save chances.
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Hunter Stratton RP | SD
Pirates' Hunter Stratton: Gets Opening Day roster spot
The Pirates are expected to select Stratton's contract and add him to the roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Marlins, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Stratton earned his spot in the Opening Day bullpen after striking out seven while allowing six hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings during Grapefruit League play. Given his limited MLB experience -- he made eight appearances out of the Pittsburgh bullpen as a 26-year-old rookie in 2023 -- Stratton will presumably begin the season in a low-leverage role.
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Bryan Shaw RP | CIN
White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Poised to make Opening Day roster
Shaw is expected to be included on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Shaw is attending spring training as a non-roster invitee, so the White Sox will still have to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster before he's officially a part of the Opening Day bullpen. The 36-year-old right-hander is heading into his second season in Chicago after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB in 45.2 innings over his 36 appearances. As the most battle-tested reliever in a White Sox bullpen lacking in experienced arms, Shaw could factor into the mix for saves, though younger pitchers such as Michael Kopech and Jordan Leasure boast more powerful arsenals and fit the closer archetype better.
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Sean Reid-Foley RP | ATL
Mets' Sean Reid-Foley: Back in action in Grapefruit League
Reid-Foley (arm) failed to record an out and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and one walk during his relief appearance Sunday in the Mets' 5-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins.
Though Reid-Foley spotted just 13 of his 23 pitches for strikes and was unable to retire any of the three batters he faced, the Mets were likely just happy to have him back in action after he had battled arm fatigue earlier this month. The two hits and two runs were the first of either that Reid-Foley had given up in his four innings this spring, and he's also held batters to a .143 average overall while striking out seven. Reid-Foley still appears in good shape to win a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen.
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Clayton Beeter RP | WAS
Yankees' Clayton Beeter: Makes Opening Day roster
Beeter has been informed that he'll be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Luis Gil has been announced as the Yankees' fifth starter, so Beeter will begin the season in the bullpen as a long man. Beeter has yet to appear in a major-league game, having collected a 3.62 ERA and 165:75 K:BB over 131.2 innings between Double-A Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023.