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SURPRISE, Ariz. — New Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estévez is to make his spring training debut on Friday after throwing live batting practice this week.

Estévez had been bothered by lower back tightness, but Royals manager Matt Quatraro said a live bullpen session on Tuesday went well, clearing the way for Estévez to pitch against the Los Angeles Angels.

The 32-year-old Estévez signed a $22 million, two-year contract with the Royals after going 4-5 with a 2.45 ERA and 26 saves in 31 chances over 54 appearances with the Angels and Philadelphia Phillies, which acquired him in July.

Estévez was an All-Star with the Angels two years ago, going 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 63 appearances. He’s expected to be ready for Opening Day, barring setbacks.

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Reds outfielder Hays put on IL with calf strain

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Reds outfielder Hays put on IL with calf strain

CINCINNATI — Reds outfielder Austin Hays was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain Wednesday.

The move is retroactive to March 24 and comes a day before the Reds open the season at home against the San Francisco Giants.

“He had a scan today and it’s a very low grade [strain],” manager Terry Francona said. “But because of his history, he tried to play through this last year, and it got him into some trouble. So, we’ve got to nip this in the bud. He’s not sure when he did it.”

Francona said it’s possible that Hays could only miss six games, but he wanted to remain cautious.

The Reds signed Hays on Jan. 30 to a one-year, $5 million contract.

Last season, Hays was sidelined from April 21 to May 13 with a left calf strain. He strained his left hamstring in August, then in September missed three weeks with a kidney infection.

Hays, an AL All-Star in 2023 while with the Baltimore Orioles, returned for the postseason but went hitless with three strikeouts in four at-bats for the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS against the New York Mets.

He played only 85 combined games last season for the Orioles and the Phillies and batted .255 with five home runs and 20 RBIs.

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D-backs sign Beeks, select contract of Miller

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D-backs sign Beeks, select contract of Miller

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks signed left-hander Jalen Beeks to a one-year, $1.25 million deal and selected the contract of veteran righty Shelby Miller on Wednesday as they worked to solidify their bullpen before opening day.

The 31-year-old Beeks split time with the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates last season, throwing in 71 games with a 4.50 ERA. He was released by Houston from a minor league contract this week after appearing in three spring training games.

The 34-year-old Miller came to camp as a non-roster invitee and made the opening day roster after a solid exhibition season that included 11 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Miller will be get a $1 million salary while in the major leagues this season and $200,000 while in the minors. He could earn performances bonuses of $50,000 each for 10 and 15 appearances, $100,000 apiece for 20, 30, 35, 40 and 45 and $150,000 for 50.

This is Miller’s second stint with the Diamondbacks. He had a disappointing three-year stretch with the club from 2016-18 after being acquired in a trade that sent Ender Inciarte and former No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson to Atlanta.

Arizona placed lefty Jordan Montgomery on the 60-day injured list because of an elbow injury that’s expected to require Tommy John surgery. Catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment.

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Tigers send struggling ’24 closer Foley to minors

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Tigers send struggling '24 closer Foley to minors

The Detroit Tigers optioned Jason Foley, their closer for most of the 2024 season, to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Foley, 29, signed a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the Tigers in January, avoiding arbitration. He struggled in spring training, going 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA — giving up five runs on 10 hits in 7⅓ innings.

He appeared in 69 games last season, finishing 41 and converting 28 of 32 save opportunities while going 3-6 with a 3.15 ERA. In four seasons with the Tigers, he is 7-9 with a 3.16 ERA in 210 relief appearances.

It’s unclear who will fill the Tigers’ closer role for the Tigers, with Beau Brieske, Will Vest, Tyler Holton and Tommy Kahnle all possibly being in the mix.

The Tigers open the regular season against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

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