MLB Player News

Cousins is currently shut down due to a right forearm strain, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

It's possible the reliever will be ready to resume a throwing program next week or the following week, per Yankees manager Aaron Boone. However, the injury has Cousins' availability for Opening Day in question. Cousins was excellent in 37 regular-season appearances for the Yankees last season, holding a 2.37 ERA and 53:20 K:BB across 38 innings. If healthy, he could see some high-leverage relief work.

Bush will undergo Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Bush ended last season on the injured list with what was referred to at the time as a left triceps strain. It's not clear whether this injury is related to that or a new issue, but either way, the southpaw will now miss the entire 2025 season and could potentially get a late start to 2026, as well. Bush, 25, held a 5.60 ERA and 11:16 K:BB over 17.2 innings with the White Sox during the 2024 regular season.

Jobe added a curveball and a two-seam fastball to his pitch mix during the offseason with the hope of improving his strikeout rate in 2025, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 22-year-old righty is hoping to make use of a six-pitch repertoire during the upcoming season, as he was already throwing a four-seam fastball, a cutter, a changeup and a sweeper. Though he reached the big leagues in September and earned a spot in the Tigers' postseason bullpen, Jobe saw his strikeout rate fall to 25.6 percent over 91.2 innings across three minor-league stops in 2024, down all the way from 32.6 percent during the 2023 season. Jobe noted he particularly struggled with missing bats on two-strike counts, and he's hoping that adding more diversity to his arsenal will aid him in putting more batters away. After making his MLB debut as a reliever, Jobe will get the chance to compete for a rotation spot with Detroit in spring training and is expecting to throw at least 130 innings in his rookie campaign.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned Whitlock as a closer candidate Tuesday along with Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Whitlock is only nine months removed from undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, but he's slated to face hitters Tuesday and is considered fully healthy as camp opens. It might be a stretch to think he'd be thrown into the ninth inning right away after missing so much time, but Whitlock does boast a career 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 150:29 K:BB over 132.2 regular-season frames as a reliever, picking up nine saves along the way. Justin Slaten was not mentioned by Cora as a closer candidate but could also be in the mix.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that he's open to the team using Hendriks and others in a closer by committee, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox would surely prefer for someone to emerge as the clear choice to close, whether that's Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock (elbow) or someone else, but if that doesn't happen they could use multiple guys in the role. Hendriks enters camp healthy and is viewed as the slight favorite to handle the ninth inning. However, he just turned 36 and made only six rehab appearances in 2024 after appearing in just five games in 2023, so it's uncertain how much rust may impact his performance, particularly early in the season.

Guillorme agreed Tuesday with the Astros on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Guillorme, 30, slashed just .205/.301/.273 over 77 regular-season games in 2024 while seeing action with three different teams. He's known for his steady glove and could win a reserve role in Houston, with the possibility of some starts at second base if the Astros wind up using Jose Altuve in left field extensively.

Jansen (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Jansen finished last season with the Red Sox with 27 saves while registering a 3.35 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 61:20 K:BB across 53.2 innings. The 37-year-old right-hander ended the campaign on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation but should be ready to go for the start of spring training. Jansen is likely to assume closing duties with the Angels, which would shift Ben Joyce to a setup role.

Anderson will compete to be the Angels' Opening Day shortstop while Zach Neto (shoulder) is sidelined, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

It's not yet clear how much time Neto might miss, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season is expected. Anderson was inked to a minor-league contract in January and will compete with Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery and Kyren Paris to be the placeholder at shortstop. While Anderson is the only one of the four competitors not on a major-league deal, Bollinger has projected him to win the shortstop gig. That said, given Anderson's woeful .235/.271/.274 batting line over the last two seasons, he will have much to prove this spring before he's handed a roster spot.

Neto (shoulder) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Neto underwent right shoulder surgery in early November, but the Angels haven't revealed the type of procedure he had or how long he might be sidelined. While a stint on the 10-day injured list to begin the season is expected, Bollinger writes that the team is "optimistic" the young shortstop won't miss much time. There should be further clarity on Neto's situation this week once position players arrive in Angels camp. Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, Luis Rengifo and Kyren Paris are the candidates to fill in at shortstop until Neto is ready.

Guenther has a good chance to make Detroit's bullpen coming out of spring training, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Guenther saw some work with the Tigers down the stretch last season and pitched well, turning in a 0.86 ERA and 0.52 WHIP across 21 innings. The lefty could now parlay that into an Opening Day bullpen role if he has a strong spring training. Guenther would likely see low-leverage opportunities in the early going, though he could seize a larger role at some point if he continues to impress.