MLB Player News

The Pirates placed Oviedo (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Oviedo is set to miss the entire 2024 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in December, so his move to the IL is merely a procedural one. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Josh Fleming, whom the Pirates signed to a one-year deal Wednesday.

The Pirates placed Rodriguez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The transaction is a procedural move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Yasmani Grandal, whom the Pirates signed to a one-year contract. Grandal is projected to slot in as the primary backup to top catcher Henry Davis while Rodriguez is set to miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery in December to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that he "would be shocked" if Lee didn't open the season as the Giants' leadoff man against both right- and left-handed pitching, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

A rough adjustment period to North American pitching during spring training could alter the Giants' plans for Lee, but San Francisco brought in the 25-year-old outfielder from Korea on a lavish six-year, $113 million deal with the full expectation that the high-contact rate and on-base skills he displayed in the Korea Baseball Organization would immediately translate to MLB. Lee didn't consistently hit for power or flash elite speed during his time in the KBO, but he should be a plus source of batting average and a strong source of runs if he ends up sticking atop the lineup permanently in his first season with the Giants. He's expected to play regularly in center field to begin the campaign, as Lee has already made a full recovery from the surgery he underwent on his left ankle last summer.

The Giants announced Wednesday that Teng will miss at least the first 2-to-3 weeks of spring training with a left oblique strain, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Teng was added to the Giants' 40-man roster over the winter, but even if he wasn't sidelined for the start of camp with the oblique injury, he wouldn't have been a serious candidate for a spot in the big club's Opening Day rotation. Once he moves past the oblique strain, Teng will likely head to Triple-A Sacramento, with whom he tallied a 4.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 96:48 K:BB in 79 innings last season.

The Giants announced Wednesday that Crawford is recovering from a lat strain and won't throw for the next 3-to-4 weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford had been developed as a two-way player for his first two professional seasons after being selected in the first round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, but he'll be making a full-time move to pitching in 2024. However, given that he's not expected to begin throwing until around the middle of March, Crawford may face an uphill battle to gain clearance for the start of the minor-league season in early April. Once healthy, the 23-year-old will likely open the campaign at High-A Eugene, with whom he posted a 1.13 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in eight innings last season following his July promotion from Single-A San Jose.

Ray (elbow) said Wednesday that he's been cleared to throw three times per week as he works his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ray was limited to just one start in his second season with the Mariners in 2023 before requiring the major elbow procedure. He was dealt to the Giants in January and appears to be on track with his recovery, though he's not expected to be available to make his San Francisco debut until sometime around the All-Star break.

Slater (elbow) reported to spring training with no restrictions as a hitter, though he'll still need to finish his throwing program before being cleared to play in Cactus League games, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Slater is working his way back from offseason surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow and is behind the Giants' other outfielders, though his availability for Opening Day doesn't look to be in jeopardy at this stage. Until he's cleared for full outfield work, Slater could be deployed as a designated hitter in Cactus League games so as to get in enough competitive at-bats to prepare himself for the start of the regular season. Slater is projected to serve a short-side platoon outfielder as he heads into his eighth season with the Giants.

Naughton (elbow) is behind schedule this spring as he completes his rehab from left flexor tendon surgery, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The southpaw had the operation last June. Naughton was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Memphis but could eventually be a factor as a lefty option out of the St. Louis bullpen.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saied Wednesday that Middleton isn't in Cardinals camp due to a stomach bug, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The illness looks to be a minor setback for Middleton, who should be able to get back up to speed quickly. The reliever inked a one-year contract with St. Louis earlier this month and is slated to handle middle-relief work.

Crawford is no longer being viewed as a two-way player and reported to spring training with the focus on being a full-time pitcher, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 23-year-old slashed .194/.250/.333 in 24 games as a hitter across his first two professional seasons in the lower minors, so his decision to abandon the two-way path doesn't come as a major surprise. Crawford found much more success on the mound in 2023, accruing a 2.84 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 19 innings between Single-A San Jose and High-A Eugene. The Giants believe that by focusing exclusively on pitching, Crawford will be able to ascend through their farm system quicker.