MLB Player News

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.

Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis said Wednesday that he believes Williams (elbow) will be cleared to resume throwing "soon," Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Willis noted that the Guardians are still in information-gathering mode with their young right-hander's elbow injury, but Williams "continues to improve" and could be ready to throw shortly. Williams hurt his pitching elbow while throwing weighted balls during a workout, but the team hasn't seemed overly concerned about the injury.

Berrios allowed one run on three hits and a walk over 3.1 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out three.

Facing a lineup mostly made up of bench players and prospects, Berrios cruised through 63 pitches (39 strikes) without much difficulty. Tuesday's run was the first the 29-year-old right-hander had given up this spring, and through 8.1 innings he's posted a solid 7:2 K:BB. Berrios has won double-digit games in six straight full seasons and posted a sub-4.00 ERA in five of them, and the Blue Jays are counting on him to provide similar reliability in 2024.

Giolito underwent an internal brace procedure Tuesday to repair the UCL in his right elbow, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

On a positive note, Giolito was able to avoid what would have been the second Tommy John surgery of his career. He'll still miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign while he recovers from the internal brace procedure, but he could have a shot to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Giolito holds a $19 million player option for 2025, which he'll almost certainly exercise shortly after the 2024 season ends.