MLB Player News

The Blue Jays designated Pop (elbow) for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pop experienced elbow inflammation coming out of his final Grapefruit League appearance March 17 and was expected to head to the 15-day injured list, but the Blue Jays will instead move him off their 40-man roster. The transaction clears a 40-man spot for outfielder Alan Roden, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Pop could end up landing on Buffalo's IL if he clears waivers and remains in the Toronto organization.

The Blue Jays designated Nance for assignment Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Nance was unable to secure a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen after logging a 5.06 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 5.1 innings in Grapefruit League play. He'll end up being squeezed off the 40-man roster as the Blue Jays clear a spot in the bullpen for right-hander Jacob Barnes, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

The Marlins placed Cronin on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left hip strain.

According to MLB.com, Cronin is expected to be out at least a month due to the hip injury, which he sustained late in spring training. The 27-year-old righty will likely handle a setup role out of the Miami bullpen once healthy.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on March 15.

Lucas made eight appearances at the big-league level in 2024 between stops with the Athletics, Tigers and Blue Jays, logging a 10.80 ERA and 2.23 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He retained a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster heading into spring training, but Lucas didn't distinguish himself enough in camp to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

The Blue Jays placed Burr on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Burr was unable to make any appearances in the Grapefruit League on account of the shoulder issue, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The right-hander will be eligible to come off the IL on April 8, but he'll likely need more time beyond that before the Blue Jays deem him ready to join the big-league bullpen.

The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Swanson is working his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. He was cleared to resume his throwing program last week, but he'll likely need at least a couple of weeks to fully ramp up and complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. Once healthy, Swanson projects to serve as a setup arm or middle-innings option in the Toronto bullpen.

The Blue Jays selected Barnes' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Despite attending camp as a non-roster invitee and posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the Grapefruit League, Barnes was able to win a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely be ticketed for lower-leverage work.

The Twins don't include Misiewicz on their 26-man active roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old southpaw is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul after falling short in his bid for a spot on the Twins' Opening Day roster. Misiewicz has previously made 131 appearances in the big leagues over the past five seasons across stints with the Mariners, Royals, Diamondbacks, Tigers and Yankees, logging a 4.67 ERA in 115.2 innings.

The Twins placed Stewart (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Stewart departed his final Grapefruit League appearance March 15 with a left hamstring strain, he's since returned to action, most recently throwing 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday. He could return from the injured list in the first half of April.

The Cubs placed Brasier on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to a hip injury.

Brasier's move to the IL comes after he was lit up in his final Cactus League appearance Monday, when he retired just one batter and served up four earned runs on four hits, including three home runs. Prior to that, Brasier had delivered four perfect innings in spring training to earn a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster for its two-game series in Tokyo versus the Dodgers. As a result of the hip issue, Brasier won't be available to return from the IL until April 9. The 37-year-old previously missed around two and a half months during the 2024 season due to a calf injury.