MLB Player News

Romano could be a top candidate to open the season as the Angels' closer after the team placed Kirby Yates (knee) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

The Angels haven't disclosed a plan for the late innings, but with Yates joining Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Robert Stephenson (elbow) on the shelf, Romano and southpaw Drew Pomeranz are left as the most likely options for the ninth. Romano has endured a rough past two seasons, but he has past closing experience, twice earning 36 saves with Toronto, and has shined this spring with a 6:0 K:BB and only one earned run allowed in six innings. Pomeranz, meanwhile, has never recorded more than four saves in a season and struggled during exhibition play with a 4:4 K:BB and five earned runs allowed in 4.2 frames.

The Orioles placed Akin on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left groin strain.

Akin was diagnosed with the groin strain following an MRI earlier this week, after he had initially experienced the injury while warming up for a Grapefruit League game last Saturday. The Orioles haven't provided a timeline for Akin's return, but he won't be eligible to make his 2026 debut until April 6 after landing on the shelf.

The Phillies placed Lazar (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Lazar strained his left oblique during World Baseball Classic play, and as a result, will get a late start to the season. Manager Rob Thomson indicated previously that it's a minor strain, so Lazar could be ready to return when first eligible April 6.

The Rockies placed Veen (knee) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Veen suffered a knee contusion in early March and was sidelined for the closing stretch of spring training, so it's not a major surprise he won't be available to begin the season. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut and batted .118 in 37 plate appearances last year, and he could be headed back to Triple-A Albuquerque once healthy.

The White Sox designated Lee for assignment Wednesday.

The White Sox elected to sign Reese McGuire this past weekend, which has pushed Lee off the roster. He's just a .193/.234/.321 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons, but there's a good chance Lee will find work soon from a club seeking catching depth.

The Orioles placed Westburg (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Westburg isn't expected to be ready to make his season debut until at least early May while he recovers from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. Per MLB.com, Westburg has been running, fielding grounders and taking one-handed swings as of last week, but he has a few more checkpoints to hit in the recovery process before he'll be ready to head out on a rehab assignment.

The Mets designated Hudson for assignment Wednesday.

The Mets traded for Hudson at the start of camp, but he was knocked around for six runs with a 5:3 K:BB across 3.1 innings this spring. Hudson is coming off a rough 2025 campaign, but he was one of the Brewers' better relievers in 2024, so there could be interest in the big lefty on waivers.

The Orioles placed Kjerstad on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right hamstring strain.

Kjerstad was diagnosed with the hamstring strain following an MRI after he sustained the injury in a Grapefruit League game last Thursday. He'll be eligible to return from the IL on April 1, but since he has yet to resume baseball activity since tweaking his hamstring, Kjerstad will likely require more than a minimum-length stay on the shelf.

The Guardians designated Rodriguez for assignment Wednesday.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in mid-March and has now been removed from the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old played in 31 games during the 2025 regular season and struggled to a .197/.260/.366 slash line in 77 plate appearances.

The Rays placed Wilson (back) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Wilson had expressed optimism that his absence would be brief, but his placement on the 60-day IL means the reliever's recovery has not come along as hoped. He's working his way back from lumbar disc inflammation.