MLB Player News

Brebbia (calf) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday and is on track to be on the roster for Opening Day, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Brebbia strained his calf Feb. 22 and Thursday's activity was his first intensive throwing session since. He felt good afterward and is expected to be ready to contribute to start the regular season. The hierarchy of the White Sox's bullpen is currently unclear, though Brebbia is a potential candidate for saves.

The Giants signed Garza to a minor-league deal Thursday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC2 reports.

Garza has thrown 47 innings in the majors throughout his career, though he's managed only a 5.74 ERA in that span. He's likely to serve as organizational depth and could contribute sparingly out of the big-league bullpen.

Fulmer was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday.

In February, Fulmer signed a minor-league contract with the Angels that included an invitation to spring training. The pitcher re-upped with the Angels after making three appearances for them in 2023, yielding three runs over 10 innings. The 30-year-old has put up an unsightly 6.14 ERA over 77 appearances (14 starts) over parts of seven seasons at the big-league level. The righty will now likely start the season in Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels optioned Herget to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Herget had allowed one run in four innings while striking out six batters during spring training, but the Angels will send him back down to Triple-A for Opening Day. Herget posted a 4.66 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 29 frames in the majors last season, and he could very well be one of the first arms promoted when the Angels' bullpen depth is tested during the season.

The Angels optioned Rosenberg to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

To close out the 2023 season, Rosenberg logged a 3.82 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB across seven appearances (three starts). The pitcher entered 2024 hoping to compete for a starting role in spring training.

The Angels optioned Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Daniel made three appearances for the Angels in the final month of last season, surrendering just three runs in 12.1 innings while striking out nine batters and walking nine. The 26-year-old got off to a strong start in the Cactus League as well, but he will now head to Triple-A to begin the season. If Daniel is able to stay hot in the minors, there is a decent chance he gets another look in the majors sometime this summer.

The Royals optioned Bowlan to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Bowlan will head to the minors after surrendering two runs off five hits and two walks while striking out two batters in 3.1 innings during spring training. The 27-year-old righty posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 67 frames with Omaha last season, and he will likely need to show further improvement in Triple-A before the Royals bring him back to the big-league squad.

Middleton left the Cardinals' camp Thursday to watch his brother play in Oregon's state basketball tournament, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton has served as a part-time coach for his brother's team and arranged for his absence when he signed with the Cardinals in the offseason. He is expected to return to camp Sunday. The 30-year-old reliever has thrown two scoreless innings this spring with one strikeout and is in line to serve in middle relief for the Cardinals in 2024.

Burr was removed from Thursday's appearance versus the Rays with tightness in the back of his right shoulder, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Burr induced a groundout and a strikeout but then allowed a single to the third batter he faced before being lifted. The right-handed reliever will likely have tests done on the shoulder. Burr is in camp with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee.

Zerpa allowed a run on two hits and struck out five without walking a batter over three innings in his first spring start Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Zerpa's first two appearances of the Cactus League slate had come out of the bullpen, but the Royals are intent on keeping him stretched out as a starter. He's started six of his 19 major-league appearances, though he primarily worked as a long reliever in 2023 when he was with the Royals. Zerpa faces an uphill battle to make the rotation out of camp, but he should be one of the first options available for a call-up from Triple-A Omaha once the season is underway -- if he doesn't end up serving as a swingman in the bullpen.