MLB Player News

Heuer (elbow) might begin the season on the 60-day injured list, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Heuer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery, so him getting a late start to the season was expected. The right-hander doesn't figure to be ready to join the Cubs' bullpen until at least June or so, and even after his return the team will likely be careful with his workload.

Perez and Bryan Baker might see save chances if Felix Bautista (shoulder/knee) has to miss time, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista is being worked into things slowly in camp and Dillon Tate (elbow) is slated to miss at least the first month of the season, which could open up some late-inning opportunities in the Orioles' bullpen. Perez certainly deserves to be under consideration after holding a 1.40 ERA and 55:21 K:BB over 57.2 innings for the O's last season.

Baker and Cionel Perez could get chances to close games if Felix Bautista (shoulder/knee) needs to miss time, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The O's hope that Bautista will ready in time for Opening Day as he eases into things this spring following last year's shoulder and knee injuries. If he's not, though, it sounds like Baker and Perez would get ninth-inning looks. Baker picked up one save for Baltimore in 2022 while posting a 3.49 ERA and 76:26 K:BB over 69.2 frames.

Brazoban has yet to report to spring training due to visa issues, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports.

The 33-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season and was expected to compete for a low-leverage spot in the Marlins' bullpen this spring, but any significant delay could cost him that opportunity. Brazoban averaged 97.2 mph with his fastball and posted a solid 28.4 percent strikeout rate with a shaky 14.9 percent walk rate over 27 appearances for Miami in 2022, but he showed sharper control at Triple-A prior to his promotion.

Jimenez is already throwing side sessions and is expected to be fully recovered from offseason back surgery prior to Opening Day, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "Oh, yeah, he's fine," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday.

The right-hander had a breakout season for Detroit in 2022, posting a career-best 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate over 56.2 innings, but a lumbar strain ended his campaign a couple weeks early. Dealt to Atlanta in December, Jimenez should be one of the team's top setup men in 2023 alongside A.J. Minter, and he could get some save chances should closer Raisel Iglesias be unavailable at any point.

Kittredge (elbow) being placed on the 60-day injured list has been rescinded, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

It had been the corresponding move to Trevor Kelley having his contract selected, but that transaction isn't allowed until March 15. Kittredge will officially be put on the 60-day IL next month.

Kelley having his contract selected by the Rays has been rescinded, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.

This was just an error on the Rays' part, as players on non-roster invitee deals aren't eligible to have their contracts selected until March 15. Kelley is expected to be added to the 40-man roster at that time.

Alvarado signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension Friday with a $9 million club option for 2026.

Alvarado and the Phillies avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.45 million deal last week, but this new contract wipes that out and tacks on two, and possibly three, more years. The buyout for the option is $500,000, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so Alvarado is guaranteed at least $22 million. The big left-hander had been slated to hit free agency next offseason. Alvarado put up a 3.18 ERA and 81:24 K:BB over 51 innings for Philly in 2022, earning two saves along the way. He'll be in the late-inning mix for the team again in 2023.

Graveman said Thursday that he's open to filling any bullpen role for the White Sox this season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

"To rack up saves or holds, it doesn't matter to me," Graveman said. "I just want to get this team to the playoffs." The 32-year-old looks to be the frontrunner for the closer role on the South Side of Chicago with Liam Hendriks out indefinitely following a January diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Nelson (elbow) has no limitations this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Nelson officially re-signed with the Dodgers on Wednesday on a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and Roberts has called him a "full-go" for all camp workouts. The 33-year-old did not pitch at any level in 2022 following Tommy John surgery in August 2021, but that is well behind him now. He has past experience as both a starter and a reliever, and Los Angeles could deploy him as a versatile swingman in 2023 if his health cooperates.