Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The right-hander appears to be back on track after suffering a calf injury during a game two weeks ago. It's uncertain how many outings Brebbia will need before rejoining the big league bullpen. The assumption is that Brebbia should be back before or in early May. However, Brebbia is likely going to take a backseat to Michael Kopech who appears to be the primary closer in Chicago. Brebbia should still be used in high leverage spots, but probably won't offer the same fantasy value.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf), who exited last Friday's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Royals after he suffered a strained right calf, is not anticipating a long-term absence. Brebbia said on Tuesday that he was planning on throwing a bullpen later that day. "I'm throwing today, and throwing hasn't been impeded whatsoever. I feel days away from being able to pitch in a game, at worst," Brebbia said. The 33-year-old right-hander also dealt with a strained right calf that held him to two innings of spring ball. Brebbia has thrown 2 2/3 scoreless innings so far during his first season on the South Side and will be an option to close games upon his return, which could arrive when he's first eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list on April 22. Former starter Michael Kopech is the favorite for saves for the ChiSox at the moment.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) was placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of the team's matchup against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Brebbia last appeared in a game on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, when he left the contest after just seven pitches. The 33-year-old dealt with a similar calf issue during spring training, so it appears the right-hander might have re-aggravated it. He was off to a great start in 2024 with 2.2 scoreless innings thrown, but now he'll head to the IL. The move is retroactive to April 6, so the earliest he can return is next weekend. In his place, the White Sox called up Jared Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte.

Chicago White Sox right-hander John Brebbia (calf) went through fielding drills in camp on Wednesday after pitching an inning in a minor-league game on Tuesday. Brebbia strained his right calf during fielding drills in spring training in late February and is still working his way back from it. The 33-year-old is up in the air to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 next Thursday, putting strain an already extremely thin White Sox's bullpen. When healthy, the 33-year-old figures to be in the mix for saves chances in Chicago in 2024 alongside Steven Wilson, Michael Kopech and Jordan Leasure. However, with the acquisition of Wilson and Kopech's move from starter to reliever, Brebbia has become less interesting as a candidate for saves in Chicago's bullpen, especially since he's also hurt.

Chicago White Sox right-handed reliever John Brebbia (calf) is throwing live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. Brebbia suffered a right-calf strain early in camp and has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet because of it. However, the 33-year-old veteran is working his way back and could still be ready for Opening Day on March 28. When healthy, Brebbia has a chance to close out games for the White Sox this year, although he could have to share ninth-inning duties with the likes of Deivi Garcia, Jordan Leasure and Dominic Leone in a not-so-pretty closer-by-committee approach. Brebbia only has two career saves (back in 2018), although he pitched well out of the San Francisco Giants' bullpen the last two years, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 32 walks and 101 K's in 106 1/3 innings.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) said he strained his right calf walking back to the mound after moving toward first base on a grounder during a live batting practice session at camp the other day. Brebbia was able to finish the BP session and said his pitching is unaffected, even though he's now in a walking boot and rolling around on a scooter. He doesn't know exactly how long it will be before he's pitching in spring games, but he said the trainers estimated he'd miss a few weeks before he's back to full speed. The 33-year-old won't need as much time to get ready for the regular season because he's a reliever, but he's still going to be a candidate to open the year on the injured list. When healthy, he's the favorite to close games for the White Sox in 2024. If he opens the year on the IL, veterans Jesse Chavez and Bryan Shaw figure to factor into the ninth-inning mix.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) suffered a right-calf strain in a live batting practice session that he threw on Wednesday. Manager Pedro Grifol said the team is hopeful Brebbia will be ready for Opening Day. An already weak White Sox's bullpen might have just lost their expected close for the start of the 2024 season, depending on how he bounces back from the injury over the next month. The 33-year-old right-hander posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 14 walks and 47 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched. Brebbia has just two career saves (back in 2018) and will likely have a short leash in the closer's role in Chicago on a team that may not give him many save chances to begin with. If Brebbia's Opening Day availability is in question, veterans Jesse Chavez and Bryan Shaw could be in live for saves to open the season.

Free-agent relief pitcher John Brebbia is in agreement with the Chicago White Sox on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Saturday, pending a physical. Brebbia comes to the White Sox after going 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 14 walks and 47 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched over 40 appearances (10 starts) for the San Francisco Giants in his third year with the team. The 33-year-old also missed some time last season due to a lat injury and wasn't very good upon his return. The White Sox are entering the 2024 campaign in a rebuilding phase, so Brebbia should see plenty of work in a thin Chicago bullpen as either a middle reliever or a setup man while also seeing a handful of "starts" as an opener. Fantasy managers can ignore him in the vast majority of leagues.

San Francisco Giants right-hander John Brebbia will make his second start of the season on Friday, taking on Ryne Nelson and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old has mainly appeared out of the bullpen and has pitched to a 5.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 36.2% strikeout rate over 13.2 innings. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Brebbia's start, as he hasn't thrown more than 1.1 innings in any game thus far. Considering the native of Massachusetts has earned five holds and owns a 2.50 FIP, he does have some value in deep hold leagues, but that's about it.

San Francisco Giants right-hander John Brebbia will open Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was Sean Manaea's turn in the rotation, but it's unclear if the lefty will relieve Brebbia later in the game. The 32-year-old has started in the past, making 11 starts in 2022, but has appeared strictly out of the bullpen thus far in 2023. Over eight innings, Brebbia owns a 5.63 ERA with 12 strikeouts, a 1.00 WHIP, and three holds. Fantasy managers can leave the former New York Yankees draft pick on the waiver wire, as there's a slim chance he even goes five innings in this one.

The San Francisco Giants and right-hander John Brebbia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million deal on Friday. Brebbia had a fine season for the Gigantes in 2022, going 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA (3.32 FIP), 1.31 WHIP and career-low 18.8 percent strikeout rate in 68 innings over a league-high 76 appearances (11 starts). The 32-year-old was primarily used in relief and picked up 18 holds along the way. Brebbia has only two career saves in five major-league seasons, though, and outside of deep holds leagues, he won't be appealing to fantasy managers in 2023. The Giants are expected to enter next year with Camilo Doval as their primary closer.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alcides Escobar homered in the eighth inning and hit a winning single in the ninth Sunday as the Washington Nationals wrapped up a disturbing weekend with an 8-7 win over the San Diego Padres. A day after the game was suspended in the sixth inning because of a shooting outside Nationals Park, the Padres completed a 10-4 victory. Washington then came back to end a six-game losing streak. Tres Barrera singled off Mark Melancon (2-2) with one out in the ninth and, after failing on a bunt attempt, Victor Robles was hit by pitch. Escobar hit a flyball that center fielder Trent Grisham couldn’t corral and Barrera scored. Brad Hand (5-2) earned the victory. Juan Soto joined Josh Harrison with three hits and added a two-run homer. Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer and Jackson Profar homered for the Padres. Nationals ace Max Scherzer allowed four runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out eight. In the completion of Saturday's suspended game, Fernando Tatis Jr. had his third four-hit... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alcides Escobar homered in the eighth inning and hit a winning single in the ninth Sunday as the Washington Nationals wrapped up a disturbing weekend with an 8-7 win over the San Diego Padres. A day after the game was suspended in the sixth inning because of a shooting outside Nationals Park, the Padres completed a 10-4 victory. Washington then came back to end a six-game losing streak. Tres Barrera singled off Mark Melancon (2-2) with one out in the ninth and, after failing on a bunt attempt, Victor Robles was hit by pitch. Escobar hit a flyball that center fielder Trent Grisham couldn’t corral and Barrera scored. Brad Hand (5-2) earned the victory. Juan Soto joined Josh Harrison with three hits and added a two-run homer. Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer and Jackson Profar homered for the Padres. Nationals ace Max Scherzer allowed four runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out eight. In the completion of Saturday's suspended game, Fernando Tatis Jr. had his third four-hit... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Los Angeles Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (sixth season). 2019: 43-17, first place, World Series champions. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP Garrett Cleavinger. He’s Outta Here: 3B Justin Turner, RHP Pedro Báez, INF/OF Enrique Hernández, LF Joc Pederson, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Jimmy Nelson, OF Terrance Gore. Going campin’: After winning their first World Series title since 1988 during the pandemic-shortened season, the Dodgers are looking to repeat. They made a major splash just before spring training, signing Bauer a year after trading for Mookie Betts and David Price in February. The roster boasts an enviable three MVPs and three Cy Young Award winners, making the Dodgers the favorites... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals recalled outfielder Austin Dean, right-hander Junior Fernandez, catcher Andrew Knizner and infielder Edmundo Sosa on Thursday as they finalized their roster for opening day against the Pirates at Busch Stadium.St. Louis also announced that right-hander Kodi Whitley made the initial 30-man roster for the start of the season.The moves came one day after the Cardinals released reliever Brett Cecil, who pitched just 100 innings across 113 games since signing a four-year contract with the club. Cecil missed all of last season after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Cardinals owe him $2,592,593 — the prorated portion of his $7 million salary in the final season of his $30.5 million contract.The Cardinals will start the season with four players on the injured list. John Brebbia and Jordan Hicks are out with right elbow issues while fellow right-hander Giovanny Gallegos was late to arrive to camp for unspecified reasons. Infielder Brad Miller went on the injured list late Wednesday with bursitis in his right ankle.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Kwang Hyun Kim showed no signs of the groin tightness that kept him from making his previously scheduled start, pitching two shutout innings for the St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Mets on Thursday.After Adam Wainwright gave up five runs and eight hits in four innings, Kim extended his spring training scoreless streak this year to five innings. He allowed his first three hits.“I'm pretty satisfied with the results and my groin is 100% right now,” Kim said through a translator.With runners on second and third in the sixth, Kim escaped the threat by inducing a comebacker from Robinson Canó.“I really appreciate how he just continued to compete and execute and bear down,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “It's a really, really positive sign. He's clearly got multiple pitches to be effective and I thought he had a nice day.”Kim had been scheduled to start three days earlier, but due to the groin threw a bullpen session instead.He's next scheduled to take the... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Many major leaguers play golf during off days in spring training.Some go fishing. Or just chill.St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has other plans: He's getting married.“People have been questioning it,” said the wedding Card, referring to the timing. “For us, clearly it's a no-brainer.”The 51-year-old Shildt will manage both St. Louis split-squad games on Thursday, with the wedding party attending the evening game in West Palm Beach against Washington. He'll trade the crack of bats for the clang of bells on Friday before returning to the ballpark on Saturday to manage again.“I'm a pretty present guy. I know where I'm going tomorrow and I know where I'm going today,” Shildt said. “I show up and be present and enjoy the opportunities in both.”Shildt's bride-to-be, Michelle Segrave, has family in South Florida, one of the reasons the couple chose the date and location.Holding a ceremony during the baseball season, which can run from late March until early November,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles made an immediate impact in his return to the Washington Nationals' lineup.After missing five games with a hamstring injury, Robles homered, singled and scored twice over the first six innings of the Nationals' 8-1 victory in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis. The 22-year-old made manager Dave Martinez look like a genius for plugging him right back into center field despite Michael A. Taylor's homer in Game 2.It wasn't a debate for Martinez, who Sunday said Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when 100% healthy. Robles took swings in the batting cage and made it an easy decision."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt," Martinez said before the game. "He looked really good."His swings against Cardinals pitching looked even better. Robles, batting eighth, lined a base hit up the middle off starter Jack Flaherty in the third inning and crushed reliever John Brebbia's 2-1 fastball over the right-center fence in the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles made an immediate impact in his return to the Washington Nationals' lineup.After missing five games with a hamstring injury, Robles homered, singled and scored twice over the first six innings Monday night in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis. The 22-year-old made manager Dave Martinez look like a genius for plugging him right back into center field despite Michael A. Taylor's homer in Game 2.It wasn't a debate for Martinez, who Sunday said Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when 100% healthy. Robles took swings in the batting cage and made it an easy decision."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt," Martinez said before the game. "He looked really good."His swings against Cardinals pitching looked even better. Robles, batting eighth, lined a base hit up the middle off starter Jack Flaherty in the third inning and crushed reliever John Brebbia's 2-1 fastball over the fence in right center in the sixth.Robles... [More]