MLB Player News

Pérez can earn $1.4 million if he makes Boston’s major league roster next year. He suited up for just five games this past season with the Giants before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. The 34-year-old backstop is widely-regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in the game, but he’s coming off a pair of injury-marred campaigns, which cast some doubt on his durability moving forward. He’s a decent low-cost dice roll for the Red Sox as extra depth behind Connor Wong and Reese McGuire.

Murphy underwent Tommy John surgery last April and isn’t expected to be an option for the Red Sox until sometime around midseason.

As expected, Tauchman will open the regular season with an injured-list stint. The 34-year-old will presumably return to the top of Chicago’s lineup at some point before the end of April.

The hard-throwing right-hander sustained the shoulder injury during the first few weeks of spring camp. There’s still no clear timeline on exactly how long he’ll be shelved for, but expect the Tigers to exercise caution. It’s also unclear if he’ll join the rotation at Triple-A Toledo once he is ready to go, or if the Tigers plan to deploy him out of the bullpen in a multi-inning role.

The 37-year-old hurler continues to work his way back from a right hip impingement that shelved him early in spring training. He’s expected to throw his first bullpen session this week and could be ready to rejoin the Tigers’ rotation before the end of April.

Newcomb will open the regular season as Boston’s fifth starter after spending the spring in camp as a non-roster invitee. The 31-year-old former notable pitching prospect beat out Quinn Priester for the spot. He can be safely ignored in the overwhelming majority of fantasy formats.

Borucki has been officially added to Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old lefty will operate in middle relief.

Stratton was added to Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster last week, but didn’t end up making the club’s season-opening roster. The 28-year-old righty should be one of the first calls for the Pirates when they need a fresh relief arm.

Rogers would’ve been a strong candidate to break camp in Baltimore’s starting rotation mix if he hadn’t hurt his knee back in January. He’s probably going to be an option for the Orioles at some point in May.

McDermitt has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, but is still several weeks away, if not longer, from being an option for Baltimore’s injury-depleted starting rotation.

Rodriguez has progressed to flat-ground throwing, but is still at least a few bullpen sessions away from facing hitters again. There isn’t a definitive timetable for his return to Baltimore’s starting rotation yet, but there’s a chance he’s back by the end of April or early May, if he avoids any setbacks.