MLB Player News

The Yankees reassigned Leibrandt to minor-league camp Thursday.

Leibrandt was making a good case to be part of the Yankees' Opening Day bullpen with a 2.19 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 12.1 innings in spring training. However, the 32-year-old southpaw owns a 5.28 ERA through 15.1 career MLB innings, so the team will likely need to see him continue his hot stretch in the minors before giving him the call to New York.

Smith has been informed he has made the White Sox' Opening Day roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Rule 5 pick made the decision easy on the White Sox, posting a 3.38 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 10.2 innings covering four starts during Cactus League play. Smith could be Chicago's fifth starter, although the team has not yet confirmed what his role will be. His main competition for the White Sox' final rotation spot is Bryse Wilson.

Otanez (shoulder) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Otanez is just a few days into a 10-day shutdown period with a right shoulder impingement, so it's not a surprise he'll require an IL stint. How long that stint lasts will depend on how Otanez's shoulder responds to rest and a subsequent throwing program.

Fitts allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over four-plus innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League start against Detroit.

Fitts was on the bump for his third Grapefruit League start (fifth appearance) and experienced his first bout of adversity. His day ended after giving up a leadoff home run in the fifth inning on his 73rd pitch. Although manager Alex Cora has not yet announced which starter candidates will make up the back end of the rotation, Fitts looks primed to open the season as one of the five starters. He has a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the regular season on the injured list, Fitts could get a few turns in April.

Swanson (forearm) resumed a throwing program Wednesday and "felt good," per Blue Jays manager John Schneider, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It's the beginning of what will be a deliberate ramp-up as Swanson works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. The right-handed reliever will begin the season on the 15-day injured list and should be expected to miss at least the first month or so of the season.

Pop will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop felt discomfort in his pitching elbow following his last Grapefruit League appearance Monday. While an MRI didn't show any structural damage, he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days and will require an IL stint.

The Astros optioned Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The left-handed reliever missed all of the 2024 campaign following thoracic outlet surgery. While Sousa was healthy this spring, he had a shaky Grapefruit League showing, allowing seven runs on 13 hits and three walks over 7.2 innings.

Marsh (shoulder) pitched in a minor-league game Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday marks Marsh's first taste of competitive action this spring after spending most of camp working his way back from right shoulder tightness. He is now back on a normal spring training buildup, though he may not have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

Blanco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Mets after getting struck by a line drive in the fourth inning, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco didn't seem to be too shaken up following the incident, but he retreated to the clubhouse afterward and was replaced on the mound for the start of the fifth inning. He later said that the ball only grazed his wrist, per Rome, and the right-hander only left the game because he had reached his pitch count. The 31-year-old Blanco finished the day with three runs allowed in 3.2 innings, bringing his Grapefruit League ERA to 8.44.

Sabrowski (elbow) extended his throwing distance to 90 feet Wednesday.

Sabrowski started playing catch from 60 feet out last Wednesday, and the Guardians seem to be building him up relatively slowly. Assuming he doesn't run into any setbacks in his rehab from an anti-inflammatory injection, the 27-year-old southpaw could return to game action sometime in late April or early May.