MLB Player News
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Emerges as top option at closer
Chapman "appears to have become the in-house favorite" to open the season as the Red Sox' closer, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.
Chapman has clearly outpitched Liam Hendriks (10.80 ERA) this spring, allowing two runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings. Walks are likely to continue to be a major problem for Chapman, but, even at 37, he remains one of the hardest throwers and best bat-missers in the game. His leash is likely to be short if he is indeed named Boston's closer, with Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten looming as alternatives.
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Erik Swanson RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Erik Swanson: To resume throwing soon
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Swanson (forearm) will resume a throwing program Wednesday or Thursday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
It will be the beginning of what Schneider referred to as a "normal-ish, maybe a little bit of an accelerated ramp-up" similar to what pitchers do at the start of spring training. Given that timetable, it sounds like Swanson will probably miss most, it not all, of April, as he works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm.
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Nick Hernandez RP | HOU
Astros' Nick Hernandez: Optioned to Triple-A
The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander's 8.59 ERA in nine spring appearances derailed his chances of earning a place on the Opening Day roster. Hernandez had a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings at Sugar Land last year but gave up seven earned runs in five regular-season outings with Houston.
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Chase Silseth RP | LAA
Angels' Chase Silseth: Sent down to minors
The Angels optioned Silseth to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.
Silseth entered camp with a chance to win the fifth spot in the rotation, but he didn't pitch well, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) while walking 10 over 13 Cactus League innings. The competition for the final spot in the Angels rotation is now down to Reid Detmers and Jack Kochanowicz.
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Troy Taylor RP | SEA
Mariners' Troy Taylor: Slated for stint on IL
Taylor (lat) will begin the season on the injured list but is expected back at some point in April, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Taylor has been held out of Cactus League play due to a right lat strain suffered back in January. He has progressed well since then and will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, but the the 23-year-old reliever simply needs more time to ramp up. Taylor collected a 3.72 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings with Seattle last season.
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Yimi Garcia RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Yimi Garcia: Looks ready for Opening Day
Garcia gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief during Monday's split-squad game against the Yankees.
The veteran right-hander has been almost untouchable this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 9:0 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings. Garcia has recorded double-digit holds in three straight seasons, and he seems likely to make it four straight as he gets ready to be the Blue Jays' top setup man ahead of new closer Jeff Hoffman.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Returns to action
Topa (shoulder) worked one inning of relief in Monday's 4-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates, striking out two while giving up an earned run on one hit.
Topa made his first Grapefruit League appearance since March 6, when he exited that game due to shoulder tightness. He made an appearance in a minor-league game Friday and checked out fine, prompting the Twins to include him back on the Grapefruit League pitching schedule. Topa will look to re-establish himself as a key setup man for Minnesota in 2025 after throwing just 2.1 innings last season due to a left knee injury.
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Angel Perdomo RP | ATL
Angels' Angel Perdomo: Dealt to Halos
Perdomo was traded to the Angels from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Perdomo has been putting together a solid spring and was in position to win a bullpen spot with Atlanta. He should still be in a decent spot to make the Opening Day roster considering Los Angeles is somewhat lacking in proven bullpen arms behind Kenley Jansen.
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Richard Lovelady RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Richard Lovelady: Added to 40-man roster
The Blue Jays selected Lovelady's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Manager John Schneider said Monday that Lovelady is still competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the Blue Jays elected to go ahead and add him to their 40-man roster now, likely due to an opt-out in the reliever's minor-league contract. Lovelady does not have minor-league options left, so he would need to go through waivers first if the club wanted to send him to Buffalo. The southpaw has allowed five runs (four earned) with an 8:3 K:BB in seven innings this spring.