MLB Player News

Chafin will report to Trriple-A Toledo after the Tigers informed him Wednesday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster and will be reassigned to the minors, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Even though the Tigers unexpectedly had an extra spot in the bullpen available with Jason Foley surprisingly getting optioned to Triple-A coming off a 28-save season with Detroit, Chafin wasn't able to make the cut. While the 34-year-old lefty boasts a fairly long track record of success in the majors, a poor spring in which he yielded eight earned runs on seven hits and six walks over six Grapefruit League innings kept him from winning an Opening Day spot. Brenan Hanifee instead appears to have clinched the final opening in the Detroit bullpen.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that while Santillan is an "easy choice" to be the closer, "he might be too valuable getting to the ninth," Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

While Francona admitted he's not sure who his closer will be while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is sidelined, it's notable that he mentioned Santillan in the fashion that he did, suggesting the right-hander might be the favorite to see the first opportunity. Santillan began last season in the minors after re-signing with the Reds last offseason on a minor-league deal, but he was excellent with the big club after being called up, posting a 3.00 ERA and 46:9 K:BB over 30 innings. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan are other candidates to see save chances with the Reds.

The White Sox reassigned Wilson to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Wilson was scrubbed from the 40-man roster before spring training but had a chance to make the team as a non-roster invitee. That ultimately didn't happen, even as he yielded just two runs with seven strikeouts over seven Cactus League innings. He'll head to Triple-A Charlotte to begin the season.

The White Sox reassigned Karinchak to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Karinchak was erratic during Cactus League play, striking out 11 but also walking nine and allowing eight runs over eight innings. He could eventually get a shot in a White Sox bullpen that lacks talent, but for now, the 29-year-old will pitch at Triple-A Charlotte.

The White Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Heading into spring training, Anderson seemed to be a leading candidate to earn saves for the White Sox this season, but a rough showing in Cactus League play was enough to remove him from consideration for an Opening Day bullpen spot entirely. Over his seven spring appearances, Anderson yielded eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and four walks over six innings. The White Sox have yet to name a closer as Opening Day approaches, though manager Will Venable said two weeks ago that Mike Clevinger ranks near the top of the list for the team's options in the ninth inning.

Hanifee will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

He ultimately got the call over Jason Foley, who was surprisingly optioned to Triple-A Toledo earlier Wednesday. Hanifee spun 10.2 scoreless innings this spring with a 9:3 K:BB and held a 1.84 ERA and 23:6 K:BB across 29.1 regular-season frames with the Tigers last season. He's better at getting groundballs than strikeouts and will likely serve in middle relief.

The Rays recalled Bigge from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Bigge was optioned to Triple-A last week, but a spot on the Opening Day roster opened back up for him after the Rays placed Shane McClanahan (triceps) on the 15-day injured list. McClanahan's injury clears room in the rotation for Drew Rasmussen, while Bigge will fill the final opening in the Tampa Bay bullpen. Bigge impressed in his first taste of the big leagues in 2024 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings between stops with the Cubs and Rays, but he may have to settle for low-leverage relief work to begin the upcoming season.

The Tigers optioned Foley to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Foley allowed five runs over 7.1 innings during Grapefruit League play but also had a 10:0 K:BB. The 29-year-old led the Tigers with 28 saves last season and had seemed to be firmly in the picture to close heading into 2025, but Detroit will give him time in the minors first to sharpen up. Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton, Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest are among the candidates to see save chances for the Tigers in what looks like a murky situation for fantasy.

The Cubs outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has experience as both a starter and reliever, and it's not clear which role the Cubs will use him in at Iowa.

The Cubs placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hip impingement.

Miller will be eligible for activation April 5, but it's not clear whether he might be ready by then. The right-handed reliever posted a 2.15 ERA and 42:10 K:BB over 50.1 innings for the Cubs last season and is pegged for middle relief once healthy.