MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that the team will "slow down" Pearson's throwing program after the pitcher felt soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow during his last bullpen session, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pearson had arthroscopic surgery in his pitching elbow over the offseason and had been ramping up slowly in Astros camp. It was already likely that Pearson would begin the season on the injured list, and now it should be a given. Houston signed Pearson with the thought that he'd be stretched back out as a starting pitcher, but his health and role are now in question.

Ponce allowed one run on four hits over two innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander built up to 32 pitches (18 strikes) against a Boston lineup that consisted of prospects and big-league depth players. Ponce has looked good so far this spring as he gets ready to pitch in MLB for the first time since 2021, posting a 4:0 K:BB through his first two appearances and three innings.

Suero allowed a hit and no walks across two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League win over the Padres. He struck out one.

Suero entered in the sixth inning and tossed two scoreless frames, with a two-out Clay Dungan single in the seventh inning representing the lone baserunner against him. The veteran right-hander, who relies primarily on a cutter, signed a minor-league deal with the Athletics in November after seeing limited MLB action in recent years, with his last extended stint coming in 2021 with the Nationals. Suero is competing for a spot in the big-league bullpen and has allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts across four innings in Cactus League play, though he's more likely to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Uceta (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder said Monday that Uceta, who's still limited to playing catch, is "probably still another couple of weeks away from getting back on the mound." The 28-year-old right-hander entered Rays camp in the mix for save chances, but now he's at serious risk of having a delayed start to the season. With Uceta's Opening Day status in real jeopardy, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger appear to be the most likely candidates to close games for Tampa Bay early in the season.

Latz allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over three innings in Sunday's spring start against Seattle.

Two batters into Latz's second Cactus League start, the Rangers trailed, 2-0, after the left-hander served up a middle-middle slider that Cole Young drove 442 feet over the fence in right field. He allowed another hit in the inning, and then retired eight consecutive batters before calling it a day. Latz threw 41 pitches (26 strikes) and did not walk a batter for the second straight start. He was used mostly as a reliever the last few seasons, but the Rangers are building him as a starter and letting him compete with Kumar Rocker for the final spot in the rotation. Of the two, Latz has performed better thus far in spring action.

Brieske was lifted from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta due to right ribcage tightness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Making his first appearance this spring after being slowed by back spasms, Brieske lasted only three pitches Monday before being pulled. It's unclear whether the two injuries might be related. Brieske will be evaluated further before the Tigers determine what the next steps for him will be.

Brieske was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta after only three pitches with an undisclosed injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske was making his first appearance of the spring after previously being sidelined with back spasms. It's safe to assume he encountered a setback with his back, but the Tigers should have more clarity on the reliever's status soon.

Samaniego (back) is scheduled to make a relief appearance Tuesday in the Red Sox's exhibition versus Team Puerto Rico, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego had been scheduled to make an appearance early in the Grapefruit League slate, but a back issue cropped up and prevented him from pitching. The young lefty wasn't shut down for long and has been able to ramp back up through bullpen sessions and live batting practice over the past week, setting the stage for him to make his spring debut Tuesday. Samaniego was added to the Red Sox's 40-man roster over the winter but is expected to open the season in the Triple-A Worcester bullpen.

Wilson said Sunday that his lower back has responded well to an injection, and he hopes to be ready to make his season debut shortly after Opening Day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilson's back issue cropped up following his second bullpen session of spring training and prompted the Rays to shut him down. The righty reliever is still waiting for the injection to take full effect, but assuming it alleviates the lingering pain in his back, he should initiate a throwing program in the coming days. Once healthy, Wilson is likely to fill a middle-innings role for Tampa Bay, who acquired him in November after he turned in a 3.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:22 K:BB over 55.1 innings out of the White Sox bullpen in 2025.

Strahm allowed a hit and no walks across a scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Strahm entered in the fifth inning to make his spring debut, working around a leadoff single by Cooper Pratt to retire the side without allowing a run. The veteran left-hander, who began his big-league career with the Royals in 2016, was acquired by Kansas City from Philadelphia in December in exchange for Jonathan Bowlan. Strahm is coming off a 2.74 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a 10.1 K/9 across 62.1 regular-season innings out of the bullpen last season and figures to handle plenty of high-leverage opportunities for the Royals in 2026.