MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Effross (elbow) had back surgery in December and won't be available until some point in the summer, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Effross had his entire 2023 campaign wiped out while he recovered from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in October 2022, but he had been expected to be fully cleared for spring training. However, with the back injury cropping up over the winter and necessitating another surgery, Effross doesn't look like he'll be ready to make his 2024 debut until June or July. On a positive note, Boone said that Effross was able to begin a throwing program last week, but the veteran reliever will presumably be brought along slowly throughout camp and is unlikely to pitch in Grapefruit League games. Effross could be a candidate to open the season on the 60-day injured list.

The Orioles placed Bautista (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Bautista will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October followed by a right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition procedure last week. Baltimore brought in veteran right-hander Craig Kimbrel on a one-year, $13 million contract in December and will install him as the closer this season while Bautista completes his rehab.

Jansen reported to spring training Wednesday but won't immediately start a throwing program due to general lat soreness, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Everything initially appeared to be in order after the veteran closer's individual workout Wednesday morning, but Boston GM Craig Breslow then announced the lat injury. It's believed to be a mild issue, but coming into spring training with a new injury is always a concerning development. Jansen said he hopes to being throwing in about a week, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald.

Alexander (lat) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

While he was with the Tigers last season, Alexander didn't make any appearances after July 2 due to a left lat strain. He's seemingly entering his first Rays camp with few restrictions, if any, as he was throwing Wednesday alongside the team's other healthy relievers. The lefty turned in an unremarkable 4.50 ERA in 44 appearances with Detroit in 2023, but he had stronger underlying metrics (3.66 xERA, 3.48 SIERA, career-best 21.5 K-BB%). The Rays claimed him off waivers in November after the Tigers non-tendered him and are hoping that he can serve as a reliable multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Jansen performed an individual workout at spring training Wednesday and doesn't appear to have any physical limitations heading into the regular season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Jansen didn't pitch after Sept. 12 last season following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list, but he had a normal offseason and is preparing to return to his familiar role as the Red Sox's closer. However, with Jansen in the final year of his contract and with the Red Sox not profiling as a major contender in the American League coming off an 84-loss season, Boston is reportedly listening to trade offers for the 36-year-old reliever, per Christopher Smith and Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican. Jansen is no longer one of the game's elite closers, but he was still serviceable enough when healthy in 2023, logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 44.2 innings while converting 29 of 33 save chances.

Naughton (elbow) is behind schedule this spring as he completes his rehab from left flexor tendon surgery, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The southpaw had the operation last June. Naughton was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Memphis but could eventually be a factor as a lefty option out of the St. Louis bullpen.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saied Wednesday that Middleton isn't in Cardinals camp due to a stomach bug, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The illness looks to be a minor setback for Middleton, who should be able to get back up to speed quickly. The reliever inked a one-year contract with St. Louis earlier this month and is slated to handle middle-relief work.

Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Wednesday that Pressly will serve as a setup man when Josh Hader is available to close games, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

When the Astros announced Hader's signing to a five-year, $95 million deal in late January, general manager Dana Brown was initially evasive when asked to define the roles of the team's relievers, though the prevailing assumption was that Hader -- a five-time All-Star -- would take over as Houston's full-time closer. Espada put to rest any thought that the Astros might opt for a two-pronged approach to the ninth inning, despite Pressly's strong track record as Houston's primary closer for the past four seasons. Pressly had already begun to show signs of skills degradation in 2023 -- his 3.58 ERA, 3.61 xERA and 21.6 K-BB% last season were all his worst marks of his five full seasons in Houston -- but the 35-year-old still profiles as a reliable setup man in front of Hader and a capable fill-in closer on the occasions Hader isn't available. Even so, the lack of reliable save opportunities moving forward largely limits Pressly's fantasy appeal to deeper leagues or AL-only leagues.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader will be the team's closer this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

There didn't seem to be much doubt after Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract last month, but Espada made it official after speaking to both Hader and Ryan Pressly on Tuesday. Pressly could net the occasional save on days when Hader is unavailable, but clearly his fantasy outlook takes a major hit. Hader collected a 1.28 ERA and 85:30 K:BB over 56.1 innings while recording 33 saves for the Padres in 2023.

Alexander signed a one-year contract with the Athletics on Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Alexander is coming off a down 2023 campaign, having posted a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB in 48.1 innings for the Giants. He entered last year with a career 3.00 ERA over parts of eight major-league seasons, however, so the A's will be hoping for something closer to that version. The sinkerballer will provide Oakland with a lefty relief option.