MLB Player News

Jackson agreed to a split major-league contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 35-year-old was released by Toronto over the weekend but is now back with the club on a split deal. Jackson allowed seven hits with a 13:2 K:BB across 9.1 scoreless frames during spring training, and he'll likely be near the top of the list of potential call-ups for the Blue Jays.

McGough struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's spring game against the Guardians.

McGough will be one of the options that manager Torey Lovullo uses to close games, and that the right-hander took the mound in the ninth fuels speculation he could get the first crack at being the primary closer. "I like his tempo, his rhythm, the way he stands on the mound, the carry on his fastball, the ability to throw two or three pitches at any time," Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. "He executed very well tonight." McGough has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 9.1 Cactus League innings.

Garcia has a 5:5 K:BB through five innings in Cactus League play, and he has allowed two runs, one of which came on a home run.

Garcia also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, allowing one run and posting a 2:1 K:BB in 2.1 frames. The veteran reliever has struggled with his control at times in his career, though he's posted the best walk rates of his career in the past two campaigns. Garcia is expected to be one of the Padres' top setup men this season, especially with Robert Suarez (arm) and Drew Pomeranz (elbow) likely to begin the campaign on the injured list. He picked up a career-high 20 holds last season and could be impactful in fantasy leagues that count that statistic in 2023.

With Rowan Wick outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Boxberger and Michael Fulmer should be the clear top options at the end of games for the Cubs.

Boxberger and Fulmer already had a path to regular save chances according to previous report, but now they have less competition at the end of games. The two veterans may alternate in the closer role in the early going, though one of them could emerge with the job on a more regular basis. Boxberger only had one save last season with Milwaukee but did turn in a strong 2.95 ERA across 64 innings.

With Rowan Wick outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Fulmer and Brad Boxberger should be the Cubs' primary options at the back end of games.

It was previously reported that Fulmer and Boxberger were viewed as the leading candidates to close, and this news should cement those two at the back of the bullpen. It remains to be seen if one of the pitchers will emerge as the primary closer. For now, fantasy managers should keep tabs on both of the veterans as the regular season approaches.

Kuhnel is likely to be on the Opening Day roster for the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Kuhnel is likely the final bullpen option with Bennett Sousa being optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday by the Reds. The right-hander has posted a 2.53 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP over 10.2 innings of work in the Cactus League in 10 appearances. He'll likely be a bridge to Alexis Diaz in the middle innings to begin 2023.

Sousa was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Sousa joined the Reds at the end of February after being designated for assignment by the White Sox, and he's now set to begin the 2023 campaign in the minors. He was unable to find much success with Chicago a season ago, finishing with an 8.41 ERA and 1.72 WHIP with a 12:10 K:BB across 20.1 frames, but he should be in the mix for a mid-season promotion.

Crochet (elbow) threw a live bullpen Friday and will throw another session Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Crochet received positive reviews for his bullpen Friday, and it's a positive sign that he's able to throw again a few days later. The southpaw missed the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he will assuredly open the 2023 campaign on the injured list. When healthy, Crochet has shown electric stuff, and he likely will be a high-leverage option for the White Sox when he does return in the coming weeks.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Monday's spring game against the Angels that Hudson's knee responded better than it previously had after his most recent time on the mound, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Hudson is starting the 2023 season on the injured list because of his knee trouble, and the right-hander will remain at Camelback Ranch in Arizona rather than travel with the Dodgers for Opening Day. The right-hander could be an option for the Dodgers at some point in the middle of April and may be inline for save chances once he returns.

Oller (illness) has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Oller will be a part of the A's to begin the season, but the role that he'll have is undefined at this point. Oakland is also planning to carry JP Sears, but Athletics manager Mark Kotsay says the team won't name a fifth starter at this point. It's possible that Oller will be a rotation option, but the right-hander also could be working out of the bullpen in 2023. He's expected to be ready for the start of the season after being scratched Saturday because of symptoms of vertigo.