MLB Player News

Atlanta released Nelson on Thursday.

Nelson signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta in late February but won't end up sticking around in the organization once the season gets underway. The veteran left-hander will likely seek out a minor-league deal elsewhere with the hope of pitching well enough at the Triple-A level to earn another opportunity in the big leagues. Nelson made three appearances in the majors with Arizona in 2025, giving up two earned runs on one hit and four walks over two innings.

Triple-A Gwinnett placed Kerr (elbow) on its 60-day injured list March 18.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in the summer of 2024, Kerr appeared to be back to full strength for spring training, as he made a one-inning Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 24. He didn't pitch in any games after that, however, with Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com relaying that Kerr will require additional rehab from elbow surgery before returning to action at Gwinnett.

The Dodgers signed Cousins (elbow) to a one-year contract and placed him on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Cousins is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined until after the All-Star break. He should eventually get transferred to the 60-day IL but could contribute in the Dodgers bullpen in the second half. The 31-year-old posted a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB over 38 innings with the Yankees in 2024.

Puk (elbow) has begun throwing bullpen sessions off a mound, MLB.com reports.

The sessions are described as "short box," which is when a catcher sets up just in front of home plate. Puk underwent internal brace elbow surgery last June and is expected back sometime around the All-Star break.

Banda will make Minnesota's final 26-man roster, MLB.com reports. He had a 4.91 ERA and 9:6 K:BB in 7.1 innings this spring.

Banda should have a prominent role in the setup corps for the Twins. However, he's one of three lefties in the bullpen, which could limit his usage in the highest-leverage roles.

The Angels placed Yates on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to left knee inflammation.

With Yates on the IL until at least April 6, the Angels are looking at a potential closing tandem of righty Jordan Romano and lefty Drew Pomeranz. Romano has put together a much better spring with a 1.50 ERA compared to Pomeranz's 9.64 mark. Even once he's back to full health, Yates won't be guaranteed the closer's role, though he should at least be a factor in the late innings for the Angels.

The Angels designated Sandridge for assignment Tuesday.

Sandridge posted a 4.55 ERA across 31.2 innings with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate last season, and he gave up five earned runs in just two innings during his brief time in major-league camp this spring. His poor performance will now cost him his place on the Angels' 40-man roster, making room for Joey Lucchesi, who signed a major-league deal with the team Tuesday.

The Angels placed Stephenson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Stephenson had been working his way back from a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms during camp, but he suffered a setback in mid-March and has now been ruled out for at least the first two months of the regular season. A timeline for his return may begin to form once he's cleared to resume a throwing program.

Laweryson will make the Opening Day roster in the bullpen barring any last-minute trades, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He had a 1.17 ERA and 7:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings this spring.

Laweryson was claimed off waivers by the Angels from the Twins in November, but he was later released and re-signed with Minnesota. He's likely the last man in the bullpen, but roles in the Twins relief corps remain in flux, so he could find his way into higher-leverage situations if he pitches well.

The Angels placed Joyce (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Joyce is still on the mend from a shoulder procedure he underwent last May, so the Halos will stash him on the injured list to begin the regular season. The 25-year-old never made an appearance in the Cactus League but has been throwing off a mound, so he may not need much more than a minimum-length IL stint before he returns to the Angels bullpen.