MLB Player News
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Prelander Berroa RP | CHW
White Sox's Prelander Berroa: Slated for Tommy John surgery
Berroa (elbow) needs Tommy John surgery, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Berroa had been diagnosed with a right elbow strain following a Cactus League appearance in late February, but subsequent testing has revealed more extensive damage. He will be sidelined for the duration of the 2025 campaign and could get a late start to next season, as well. Prior to the injury, Berroa had a shot to serve in a high-leverage relief role for the White Sox.
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Tyler Matzek RP | NYY
Yankees' Tyler Matzek: Nursing oblique injury
Matzek may not be ready for Opening Day after being diagnosed with an oblique injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
The severity of the issue isn't clear, but any sort of oblique strain this close to the start of the season likely means Matzek won't be ready for the opener. The southpaw is in camp as a non-roster invitee but likely would have made the initial 26-man roster if he was healthy. Instead, Matzek will aim for a mid-season debut with the Yankees.
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Garrett Whitlock RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Spring debut set
Whitlock will make his spring debut Friday against the Marlins, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Whitlock was on a strict throwing schedule this spring as he recovered from an internal brace procedure, which included planned one-week downtimes which the team described as "de-load" weeks. He'll pitch Friday in relief of starter Walker Buehler. Red Sox manager Alex Cora sees Whitlock has a high-leverage, multi-inning weapon that can deployed in the late innings. Save opportunities are not out of the question, but the Red Sox have Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten pegged for closing duties.
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Garrett Crochet RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Crochet: Dominant third outing
Crochet allowed two hits and one walk while striking out seven over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Rays.
Crochet cruised through his third Grapefruit League start and finished it in style by striking out the side in his third and final inning. The left-hander has not allowed a run over 6.1 spring innings while striking out 14.
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: Closer candidate makes debut
Garcia walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring game against San Diego.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy earlier in camp referred to Garcia as one of the main arms in the mix for the closer role, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, but the pitcher's spring debut was delayed until Thursday due to nerve irritation in his left forearm. His ratios from 2024 don't jump out, but Garcia's underlying metrics, including 98th percentile hard-hit and barrel rates and a 94th percentile chase rate, indicate he was much better than a 4.22 ERA might indicate. At this point, Garcia and Chris Martin are the leading candidates for save opportunities in the Rangers' rebuilt bullpen.
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Cole Ragans RP | KC
Royals' Cole Ragans: Punches out six Thursday
Ragans allowed one hit and struck out six over three scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Cubs. He did not issue a walk.
The lefty was able to exact a measure of revenge against a Cubs team that rocked him for seven runs over 2.1 innings back on March 1. Ragans noted after the game he was hitting his spots and keeping hitters off balance Thursday after execution was an issue his last time out, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Ragans, the presumptive Opening Day starter for Kansas City, also mentioned that his goal this year is to be unpredictable to lefties to combat his rather surprising reverse splits from a season ago.
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Sam Long RP | KC
Royals' Sam Long: Throws despite sore hand
Long, who was hit by a line drive in his left hand during Monday's spring game, threw a bullpen session Thursday despite some swelling, MLB.com reports.
Long had test results that showed he didn't suffer any broken bones after he reached to grab a liner and it deflected off his pitching hand. It's possible his next appearance this spring gets delayed, however, so he could fall behind for being ready for Opening Day.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Progressing in bullpen sessions
Estevez (back) said he threw his "best bullpen" yet in Thursday's session and is scheduled for another Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Estevez has been dealing with mild lower-back tightness, which has prevented him from making a spring training appearance. The expected primary closer for the Royals still has some work to do before he can take the mound in a live game.
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Alec Marsh RP | KC
Royals' Alec Marsh: Slated to face hitters
Marsh (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Sunday will be the first time Marsh has gone up against a live opponent since arriving at camp with tightness in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old has been able to throw multiple bullpen sessions with no issues, so if his shoulder holds up after a few rounds of live BP, he may be cleared to appear in games before the end of spring training.
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Alimber Santa RP | HOU
Astros' Alimber Santa: Ready for Spring Breakout game
The Astros list Santa (undisclosed) on the roster for their March 14 Spring Breakout game against Nationals prospects, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.
Santa seems to be healthy again after he finished the 2024 season on Double-A Corpus Christi's injured list. The 21-year-old righty turned in an 8.69 ERA and 2.14 WHIP while striking out 16 and walking 16 over 19.2 innings for Corpus Christi before being shut down in late August.