New York Yankees right-handed reliever Scott Effross (hamstring) threw one pitch in the Grapefruit League game on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins before injuring his leg. Effross appeared to grab near his hamstring before walking off the mound with a trainer. The 31-year-old veteran will likely undergo tests to determine the severity of his injury and should be considered day-to-day for now. After missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery, Effross returned in 2024 with the Yankees to post a career-worst 5.40 ERA (7.67 FIP), a 1.50 WHIP and a 2:2 K:BB in just 3 1/3 innings of relief at the major-league level. He made 32 total appearances when considering his work in the minors. Depending on the severity of his hamstring injury, Effross could need to begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Stay tuned for an update on his injury.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) had an X-ray on Monday that showed nothing concerning regarding his right-Achilles soreness, but he is getting an MRI exam on Tuesday as a precaution. The 31-year-old was scratched from Monday's Cactus League lineup against the Athletics and should be considered day-to-day for now in camp. When healthy, Blanco will likely be a reserve outfielder for the Royals' big-league squad in 2025. The Cuban outfielder played in a career-high 88 games for the Royals in his third major-league season in 2024 and hit .258/.308/.392 with a below-average .699 OPS, only four home runs, 13 RBI, 31 stolen bases and 37 runs scored in 132 plate appearances. Most of his success has come against left-handed pitching, but he can be useful for his speed in deeper fantasy leagues as a pinch-runner/defensive replacement late in games.

The Washington Nationals are re-signing right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan to a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The All-Star closer will return to D.C. after the Nationals non-tendered him late last year. The 33-year-old had a 3.68 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, a career-high 38 saves, 60 strikeouts and 24 walks in 63 2/3 relief innings for Washington in 2024 and should now be considered the favorite for closing duties again in 2025. Other than the 33-year-old, the Nationals' best options for high-leverage innings late in games are Jorge Lopez and Jose A. Ferrer, which makes sense why the Nationals chose to bring Finnegan back to pitch the ninth. Finnegan also had 28 saves in 2023, but his elevated hard-hit rate last year could be a sign of trouble to come. Even though the Nats don't have other great closing options, Finnegan could be on a short leash.

The Athletic's Matt Gelb reports that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Devin Sweet (triceps) left Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays after being hit by a line drive on his right triceps. Sweet recorded just one out in the outing before taking a line drive off the bat of first baseman Yandy Diaz. The Phillies are calling the 28-year-old's injury merely a right-triceps contusion for now, but he could go for more testing. Barring a more serious injury that is discovered in his arm, Sweet should be considered day-to-day in camp. Sweet did not pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024 after making his MLB debut in 2023 with the Seattle Mariners and Athletics, going 1-0 with a 10.38 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, six strikeouts and six walks in 8 2/3 innings over just seven appearances out of the bullpen. He's merely competing for a bullpen spot in Philly in spring training and isn't on the fantasy radar.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wouldn't commit to right-handed reliever David Bednar when asked if he is the team's closer in 2025. "I don't think we're ready to say that, but I think we feel very good with the fact that we have a guy who was a two-time All-Star closer," Shelton said. The skipper mentioned that Bednar had an abbreviated spring training last year and struggled early on before figuring things out and being really good. However, he eventually hit another rough patch with his command later in the year. Shelton fully expects the 30-year-old to bounce back in 2025, but it looks like the Pirates want to see him win the role in spring training over other arms like Dennis Santana and Colin Holderman. Bednar had a 5.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP a year ago and finished in a low-leverage role, so despite the fact he's saved 81 games over the last three years, his leash has tightened considerably.