MLB Player News

Bassitt struck out nine batters in 5.1 innings during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk.

The veteran right-hander faced a Pittsburgh lineup that only included a handful of regulars, but aside from a solo shot by Oneil Cruz in the sixth inning, Bassitt had little trouble carving up the opposition. He built up to 73 pitches (47 strikes) and looks just about ready for Opening Day, having posted a 14:1 K:BB through 14.2 spring innings. Should Kevin Gausman (shoulder) not be quite ready when the regular season begins, it's not out of the question that Bassitt takes the mound for the Blue Jays' opener.

Fedde appears to be in line to start for the White Sox on Opening Day against the Tigers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Fedde emerged as the frontrunner to start Opening Day after the White Sox traded Dylan Cease to the Padres on Wednesday in exchange for a haul of prospects. Fedde's last season in the majors came in 2022, when he accumulated a 5.81 ERA and 1.63 WHIP while striking out 94 batters across 127 innings. He spent last season in the Korea Baseball Organization and won the league's MVP award after posting a 2.00 ERA, and the 31-year-old righty has has been OK in spring training thus far. Fedde's recent success should be enough to warrant cautious optimism from fantasy managers heading into the new season.

Flaherty tossed four scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He allowed one hit and struck out five.

Flaherty came into the contest having allowed five runs across 3.2 innings this spring, so this was a step in the right direction. The righty struggled last season, posting a 4.99 across 144.1 innings with St. Louis and Baltimore, but he should be locked into a rotation spot in Detroit after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal. Fantasy managers may want to wait and see if Flaherty can string together a few good outings to start the regular season before investing too much, however.

The Padres traded Iriarte, Drew Thorpe, Steven Wilson and Samuel Zavala to the White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Dylan Cease, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Iriarte split time between High-A and Double-A last season, recording a 3.49 ERA and 1.28 WHIP alongside a 128:45 K:BB across 90.1 innings between the two levels. The 22-year-old prospect earned a spot on the Padres' 40-man roster during the offseason and had been in contention to make the Opening Day roster, but Iriarte was optioned to Triple-A after throwing three shutout innings during spring training. With the White Sox, Iriarte's chances at cracking an Opening Day roster are renewed given Chicago's weak MLB pitching staff, though it's possible the Sox keep him in Triple-A to continue his development.

The Padres traded Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, Steven Wilson and Samuel Zavala to the White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Dylan Cease, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Thorpe had been part of the package that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees in December, and he will now be rerouted to the White Sox with only a couple of weeks remaining before the regular season. Thorpe emerged as a top RHP prospect last season, posting a 2.52 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 182 batters over 139.1 innings between High-A and Double-A. Now with the Sox, Thorpe will likely return to Double-A to begin the season, but he could see a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte relatively quickly if he remains dominant in 2024.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that France (shoulder) will start his first Grapefruit League game Saturday against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

France was able to pitch two innings during a minor-league game Monday, and he's tentatively scheduled to cover three innings Saturday. The 28-year-old righty has spent the first few weeks of spring training working his way back from right shoulder inflammation, but a strong outing against the Mets would likely clear up any lingering concern about France's chances of beginning the season in Houston's rotation.

Means (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Means is continuing his throwing progression as the club slow-plays him after he had some left elbow soreness last October. The left-hander will not pitch in Grapefruit League games but is hopeful of rejoining Baltimore's rotation before the end of April.

Bradish (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the first time he's thrown from a mound since being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in mid-February. Bradish felt good during the all-fastballs session, manager Brandon Hyde said afterward. The right-hander will begin the season on the injured list, but he continues to take positive steps in his recovery and remains optimistic surgery can be avoided.

Wells allowed one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout over four innings versus the Rays on Tuesday.

Wells gave up a solo home run to Randy Arozarena, but he was otherwise in control for his second spring start. Wells is doing his part to earn a spot in the rotation to start the season, as the Orioles will be missing John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow). After starting 2023 as a starter and pitching well, Wells faded in July and dealt with arm fatigue after getting optioned to the minors. The right-hander may not be a starter for all of 2024 either, but if he can carry over his strong spring into the regular season, he could make some tough decisions pop up for manager Brandon Hyde.

Cole (elbow) is expected to be sidelined at least 1-to-2 months, Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post report.

The report notes that preliminary exams haven't detected any damage to Cole's right UCL, but the Yankees had enough concern about the integrity of the ligament to send their staff ace to Los Angeles for an in-person visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Heyman and Sanchez relay that the "hope and belief" is that Cole can return in May or early June after a conservative rest and treatment plan, but more will be known following the pitcher's exam with Dr. ElAttrache. Luis Gil, Will Warren, Clayton Beeter, Cody Poteet and Luke Weaver are the most likely internal options to fill Cole's spot in the Yankees' rotation, but the club could look for help from outside the organization.