MLB Player News

Mata (lat) is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

While battling hamstring, lat, shoulder and elbow issues, Mata spent the entire 2024 season on the Red Sox's injured list. He was able to make 13 rehab appearances across four different affiliates last season, but he was never cleared to make his MLB debut before Boston non-tendered him in November. Mata re-signed with Boston on a minor-league deal and finally looks to be healthy again as he prepares to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, but the 25-year-old right-hander won't be in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's instead expected to open the season at Triple-A Worcester, where he could end up making a full-time move to relief due to injuries having sidetracked his development as a starter.

Ort (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has taken a step forward in his throwing progression after he had previously been limited to playing catch off flat ground. The 33-year-old right-hander tweaked an oblique early in camp and has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but since he'll be deployed as a one- or two-inning reliever once healthy, Ort could still have a shot at being ready to go for Opening Day.

Jameson allowed one run on two hits and one walk over one inning of relief in Monday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

Jameson worked the second inning of his fourth Cactus League appearance and showed off a triple-digit fastball after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John elbow surgery. His four-seamer topped out at 101.3 mph and it averaged 97. The right-hander, who allowed his first spring run, continues to make progress and reduced the number of days between outings, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Jameson is competing for a spot as a reliever and is included in the bullpen of the latest projected roster offered by Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.

Fairbanks has thrown 1.2 innings across two appearances in the Grapefruit League.

Fairbanks ended the 2024 season on the injured list with a lat injury, so the fact that he's had a healthy spring is positive. While he hasn't seen much game action, he's projected to serve as the Rays' primary closer once the regular season kicks off.

Myers surrendered three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over 2.1 innings during Monday's Cactus League win over the Mariners.

This was Myers' first rough outing of spring training after hurling four scoreless innings over his first two outings. He was able to settle down after giving up an RBI single and a two-run blast to Mitch Garver in the first inning. Myers appears in line to begin the 2025 regular season at the back end of the rotation, though with Milwaukee recently adding Jose Quintana, there would be competition for the fifth starter spot once Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is cleared, which could happen at some point in April.

The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rangel made two appearances for the Phillies in spring training and allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two across three innings. He'll begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but the 27-year-old reliever could see some time in the majors at some point this season if the Phillies need to bolster their bullpen.

The Mariners reassigned Castillo to minor-league camp Monday.

After spending the past two seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Castillo returned stateside over the winter, joining the Mariners on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to spring training. The 30-year-old didn't mount much of a case for a spot in Seattle's Opening Day bullpen, giving up three earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings across his three Cactus League appearances. Castillo is expected to report to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2025 season.

The Mariners reassigned Diaz to minor-league camp Monday.

Diaz has been getting stretched out as a starter during spring training, but he wasn't in contention for a spot in Seattle's Opening Day rotation, even with the Mariners set to begin the campaign without George Kirby (shoulder). Emerson Hancock is expected to get the first crack at replacing Kirby, but Diaz could be among the next pitchers in line to make spot starts if the Mariners lose another rotation member to an injury. Diaz will continue to make regular turns through the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma until he might be needed by the big club.

The Mariners reassigned Medina to minor-league camp Monday.

Medina will likely open the 2025 season as a reliever at Triple-A Tacoma. The 28-year-old righty hasn't appeared in the big leagues since the 2022 season, when he made 14 relief appearances for the Mets.

The Mariners optioned Bolton to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Bolton has allowed just one unearned run over 3.2 Cactus League innings but also has a 2:3 K:BB over that stretch. He'll start the season at Tacoma as relief depth.