MLB Player News
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Grant Anderson RP | MIL
Brewers' Grant Anderson: Optioned to Triple-A
The Brewers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers acquired Anderson via trade from the Rangers in January before watching him struggle this spring, allowing five runs over 3.2 innings of work. Anderson will head to Nashville for now but should get a shot in Milwaukee's bullpen eventually.
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Eric Cerantola RP | KC
Royals' Eric Cerantola: Cut from big-league camp
The Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
Cerantola joined the Royals' 40-man roster over the winter and has tossed two scoreless frames during Cactus League play, but he never really had a shot to break camp with the big club. The righty reliever will likely debut at some point in 2025 and could eventually be a late-inning option for Kansas City if he can throw enough strikes.
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Dillon Tate RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Dillon Tate: Brought back on MLB deal
The Blue Jays agreed to a one-year contract with Tate on Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Tate was claimed off waivers by Toronto last September before being non-tendered in November. However, he's now found his way back into the organization on a major-league deal. Tate holds a career 4.09 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 170:65 K:BB over 215.2 innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level.
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Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: Meeting with doctor Thursday
Swanson (forearm/elbow) will meet with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Swanson has been slowed by forearm and elbow issues this spring. Blue Jays manager John Schneider referred to Swanson's arm issues as "a little bit of a recurring theme," and the goal with Thursday's exam is to "nail down exactly what's going on." More clarity on Swanson's situation is anticipated after Thursday's meeting, but the reliever is expected to begin the season on the injured list regardless of what comes out of the exam.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Reds' Alexis Diaz: Makes spring debut
Diaz (hamstring) allowed one hit and one walk over a scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.
Diaz made his Cactus League debut, entering in the fifth inning after starter Graham Ashcraft worked the first four frames. Diaz was held out of early spring games as a precaution after he felt something in his hamstring during pitcher fielding drills. The Reds' closer is confident he'll be ready for Opening Day.
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Matt Strahm RP | KC
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Uncertain for Opening Day
Strahm will be shut down until at least Thursday and is uncertain for Opening Day due to an impingement in his left shoulder that's caused inflammation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The good news is an MRI on Strahm's shoulder came back negative. He will be re-examined Thursday by the Phillies team doctor, at which point it will be determined whether he's able to resume a throwing program. The Phillies should have a good idea at that time whether Strahm will have a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The southpaw was one of the best relievers in baseball last season, collecting a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 79:11 K:BB over 62.2 regular-season frames.
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Hayden Wesneski RP | HOU
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Making push for rotation
Wesneski has allowed one earned run across 6.1 innings while maintaining an 11:3 K:BB in the Grapefruit League this spring.
Wesneski is a top candidate to begin the season in the Astros' rotation with both Luis Garcia (elbow) and Lance McCullers (forearm) set to begin the season on the injured list. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, Wesneski has prepped for the role by adding a curveball to his arsenal. The results this spring have been strong, highlighted by his outing Saturday when he struck out five and walked one across 2.1 frames.
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Ronel Blanco RP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Focused on attacking zone
Blanco is prioritizing an attack of the strike zone this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Blanco had one of the biggest breakout performances in 2024, but he struggled to consistently find the strike zone, as his 10.1 percent walk rate in the regular season was the highest mark of any qualified starter. He escaped relatively unscathed thanks to a .187 BABIP with runners on base and .160 with runners in scoring position, both of which are unlikely to repeat in 2025. As a result, he plans to be less precise with his pitches in hopes of finding the strike zone more consistently.
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Simeon Woods Richardson SP | MIN
Twins' Simeon Woods Richardson: Continues solid spring
Woods Richardson gave up three runs, all unearned, in three innings with four strikeouts and no walks in Sunday's spring training loss to Baltimore. He has a 1.29 ERA with a 7:2 K:BB in seven innings this spring.
Woods Richardson entered spring as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role and hasn't done anything to lose that position after three spring starts. He's in a competition with David Festa and Zebby Matthews, and the Twins' fourth starter spot could be up for grabs as well if Chris Paddack falters.