The Seattle Mariners have optioned right-handed pitcher Will Klein to Triple-A Tacoma earlier on Friday. The Mariners acquired Klein from the Athletics earlier in the winter. During spring training, Klein has logged five innings and tallied eight strikeouts with three walks. He has allowed five hits with two earned runs. Last summer, the 25-year-old made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals before being shipped to Oakland. Across 7 1/3 total frames, he allowed nine earned runs while holding a 6:7 BB:K. At the Triple-A level, the Eastern Illinois product logged 43 innings of relief and posted a 3.77 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP. He tallied nine saves but held an underwhelming 32:43 BB:K. When he returns to the big leagues, fantasy managers should expect him to earn a low-leverage role in the Seattle bullpen, which will not make him viable in any fantasy format.

The Chicago White Sox have optioned left-handed pitcher Jared Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte. Shuster was competing for a spot on the major-league roster but will instead begin his campaign in the minor leagues. Through seven innings at spring training, Shuster has allowed 15 hits and nine earned runs. He tallied eight punchouts and served up one free pass. Last summer, the southpaw logged a career-high 73 2/3 innings in the major leagues. Across this stint, he held a 4.30 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a low 17.4 percent rate and served up walks at a high 10.3 percent rate. He also generated a 4.71 xERA, placing him in the 19th percentile among qualified pitchers. When he does return to the major leagues, he will only carry value in AL-only formats given his lack of proven success.

According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, New York Mets right-handed pitcher Jose Butto (groin) is dealing with a minor groin injury. Butto has been unable to pitch in Grapefruit League games over the past week. However, he did throw a bullpen session earlier on Friday, which is a positive sign. DiComo noted that the team does not view this as a major injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears he will not be in danger of missing Opening Day. Last season in Queens, Butto logged 74 innings with a 2.55 ERA and a strong 1.07 WHIP. He tallied 79 strikeouts and held a high 12.3 percent walk rate. He was deployed primarily out of the bullpen but did make seven starts. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Butto to have a similar role in 2025.

The Milwaukee Brewers reassigned right-handed pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski to minor-league camp on Friday. The team also reassigned right-handers Deivi Garcia, Easton McGee and Vinny Nittoli, infielder Raynel Delgado and catcher Darrien Miller to minor-league camp and optioned outfielder Brewers Hicklen to Triple-A Nashville. Misiorowski is considered the team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and will begin the year in the minors after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out nine in 7 2/3 innings over four Grapefruit League appearances (three starts). The 22-year-old throws hard and can generate plenty of strikeouts, but he's also wild and inconsistent. Misiorowski is expected to begin 2025 at Nashville as a starter, but if he can't improve his control, it's possible Milwaukee will shift him to a relief role as a potential late-inning, high-leverage arm.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson (forearm) has been diagnosed with a "median nerve entrapment" in his right forearm. His MRI exam showed no structural damage, but he received a cortisone injection and will back off from throwing for a couple of days. There's no timetable for when the 31-year-old veteran will be cleared to pitch in games again, but all things considered, it's positive news. He is fully expected to begin the regular season on the injured list, but perhaps Swanson will be able to make his 2025 debut at some point in April if he can resume throwing sooner than later. Swanson had a disappointing 5.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in 39 1/3 relief innings in 2024 in his second year in Toronto and was even sent to the minors for a bit. He had a 2.60 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with eight saves in three prior seasons, though, so if he can get healthy, he could easily bounce back as a late-inning setup man for Toronto.