MLB Player News
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Tyler Rogers RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Tyler Rogers: Slotted into setup role
Rogers is expected to begin the season as one of the primary setup men for the Blue Jays ahead of closer Jeff Hoffman, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
After signing a three-year, $37 million contract with Toronto in December, it's no surprise that Rogers will have a high-leverage role. The veteran right-hander has recorded at least 30 holds in three straight seasons, posting a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 48:7 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2025 between the Mets and Giants.
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Brendon Little RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Brendon Little: Secures bullpen spot
Little has won a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
The 29-year-old will head into the season as the top left-handed option for manager John Schneider. Little dazzled this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 11:4 K:BB in six innings, and he racked up a career-high 30 holds in 2025 while producing a 3.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 91:45 K:BB in 68.1 innings.
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Tommy Nance RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Tommy Nance: Will begin season in bullpen
Nance has claimed a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.
The 35-year-old grabbed one of the last spots in the bullpen despite a 6.75 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB in 5.1 spring innings, but his lack of minor-league options likely tipped the scales in his favor. Nance was more impressive in 2025, delivering a 1.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB over 31.2 innings for Toronto with two wins and five holds in 30 appearances.
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Aaron Bummer RP | ATL
Braves' Aaron Bummer: Hangs onto bullpen spot
Bummer will begin the season as part of Atlanta's bullpen, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 32-year-old southpaw will likely slot in behind Dylan Lee in the pecking order for high-leverage work. Bummer has been a fairly reliable middle-relief option for Atlanta over the last two seasons, posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 120:35 K:BB in 109.2 innings, but in 98 appearances he has just seven wins, four holds and zero saves.
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Dylan Lee RP | ATL
Braves' Dylan Lee: Secures bullpen role
Lee has won a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The 31-year-old figures to be the top left-hander in the bullpen, although he could face competition from Aaron Bummer for that assignment. Lee is coming off a career-best 2025 season in which he recorded 19 holds, more than doubling his previous best, along with a 3.29 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 76:14 K:BB over 68.1 innings for Atlanta.
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Tyler Kinley RP | ATL
Braves' Tyler Kinley: Set for setup role
Kinley will begin the season as part of Atlanta's bullpen, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
No surprise here after Kinley posted a 0.72 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 25 innings for Atlanta last season following his trade from the Rockies, and then re-signed with the NL East squad on a one-year, $4.5 million deal this offseason. Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez will be the top right-handed high-leverage arms for Atlanta, but Kinley could still post strong a strong holds total as one of the primary options for the seventh inning -- his career high in holds is 15, set in 2024 for Colorado.
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Vinny Nittoli RP | BOS
Vinny Nittoli: Cut by Boston
The Red Sox released Nittoli (elbow) on Tuesday.
Nittoli attended spring training as a non-roster invitee but saw his bid for a spot in the Red Sox's Opening Day bullpen come to an end when he suffered an elbow injury earlier this month that he ultimately addressed with an internal brace procedure. The 35-year-old righty will miss the entire 2026 season, and his rehab program will likely bleed into the early part of the 2027 campaign.
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Cole Sands RP | MIN
Twins' Cole Sands: Twins still undecided on closer
Sands will have a prominent role in high-leverage situations in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Derek Shelton said he'll figure out who will close games as the season progresses, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's going to be a little bit of a meritocracy. Guys are going to pitch themselves in or out of certain roles. We have to monitor that as the season starts," said Shelton.
The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training has concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.
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Yuki Matsui RP | SD
Padres' Yuki Matsui: Officially put on IL
The Padres placed Matsui (groin) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Since straining his left groin in late February, Matsui has begun throwing off a mound and is slated to face hitters soon, but he'll still likely to remain on the shelf until at least around mid-April. Because he missed the entire Cactus League slate, he'll need to complete a rehab assignment in the minors before making his season debut with the Padres.
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Bryan Hoeing RP | SD
Padres' Bryan Hoeing: Goes on IL
The Padres placed Hoeing (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Hoeing is set to miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. He'll officially begin the season on the 15-day IL but will likely be transferred to the 60-day IL if/when the Padres need to clear a 40-man roster spot.