MLB Player News
-
Clarke Schmidt SP | NYY
Yankees' Clarke Schmidt: Throwing on flat ground
Schmidt (elbow) threw on flat ground Friday as he continues his rehab from internal brace surgery, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Schmidt had the operation last July and will not be an option for the Yankees until at least the second half. The right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
-
Patrick Sandoval SP | BOS
Red Sox's Patrick Sandoval: Throwing live batting practice
Sandoval (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Sandoval was unable to make it back in the second half of last season as hoped following June 2024 internal brace surgery on his left elbow. However, it appears he is without restrictions at the beginning of camp. The left-hander is competing for a spot in Boston's rotation this spring but will have some work to do to secure a slot after the team brought in Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez and Johan Oviedo over the winter. Sandoval holds a career 4.01 ERA, 22.7 percent strikeout rate and 10.1 percent walk rate over six major-league seasons.
-
Brayan Bello SP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Adding curveball to mix
Bello is re-introducing a curveball to his arsenal this spring, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
With assistance from new teammate Ranger Suarez, Bello is expanding a repertoire that already includes a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper/slider and changeup. Bello, who came to the majors as a 23-year-old in 2022, threw a curve earlier in his career but couldn't find the right shape or proper arm slot for it. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey believes that Bello, through his experience at the MLB level, has developed to a point where he understands the benefits of horizontal and vertical breaks against hitters from either side of the plate. Adding back the curveball gives him another weapon to serve that goal. Bello is projected to slot fourth in Boston's rotation.
-
Clarke Schmidt SP | NYY
Yankees' Clarke Schmidt: Shifts back to 60-day injured list
Schmidt (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Schmidt underwent an internal brace surgery July 11 and will be out until at least the middle of the 2026 season. This move doesn't come as a surprise and is procedural to create a roster spot for the signing of Paul Goldschmidt.
-
Cory Lewis SP | MIN
Twins' Cory Lewis: Shut down with shoulder strain
Lewis has been shut down from throwing after he was diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Lewis is coming off a disappointing season as he had an ugly 7.27 ERA and 87:68 K:BB ratio in 73 innings at Triple-A in 2025. He missed some time last season with a right shoulder injury, but it's not clear if this setback is related. Lewis has had an unusual career path, as he's increasingly incorporated a knuckleball in his arsenal. He'll likely be shut down for at least a few weeks before being evaluated.
-
Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
Yankees' Carlos Rodon: Has thrown 5-to-6 bullpen sessions
Rodon (elbow) has thrown 5-to-6 bullpen sessions and is scheduled to throw another one Saturday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
Rodon also revealed that he was given two platelet-rich plasma injections in his surgically repaired left elbow in order to expediate the healing process. The expectation is that Rodon will make a few Grapefruit League starts and be ready for his season debut in late April or early May.
-
Cameron Schlittler SP | NYY
Yankees' Cam Schlittler: Nursing minor back injury
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Schlitter will not throw off a mound for a few days due to mid-back inflammation, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The injury is considered minor, and Schlitter will continue to throw on flat ground. At this point, the Yankees seem to be simply exercising caution, though it's possible Schlittler's Grapefruit League debut gets pushed back. The young right-hander is locked into a spot in the Yankees' rotation after holding a 2.96 ERA and 84:31 K:BB over 73 regular-season innings in 2025.
-
Mitch Spence SP | KC
Royals' Mitch Spence: Traded to Royals
The Athletics traded Spence to the Royals on Thursday in exchange for A.J. Causey.
After being DFA'd by the A's on Tuesday, Spence will recapture a 40-man roster spot by moving to Kansas City. The 27-year-old reliever turned in a 5.10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 84.2 innings last season and will be in the running for a spot in the Royals' Opening Day bullpen. He has two minor-league options remaining, however, so there is a chance he opens the year at Triple-A Omaha instead. Alec Marsh (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.
-
Seth Lugo SP | KC
Royals' Seth Lugo: Throwing off mound early in camp
Lugo (back) threw a bullpen session in Royals camp Thursday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
Lugo was sidelined for the final month of last season with a nagging back injury, but he does not appear to have any restrictions at the start of spring training. The veteran right-hander collected a 2.67 ERA in the first half in 2025 but posted a 7.51 ERA in his final nine starts before getting hurt. Lugo could very well bounce back in 2026 now that he's healthy, but he's 36 and has a 21.1 percent strikeout rate since 2024, so there is risk.
-
Ben Lively SP | CLE
Guardians' Ben Lively: Back with Guardians on minors deal
The Guardians re-signed Lively (elbow) to a two-year minor-league contract Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Lively will be in camp with Cleveland as he continues his rehab from a UCL reconstruction and flexor tendon repair that he had last May. He's currently throwing out to 75 feet, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The right-hander has a chance to make some appearances late in the 2026 season, but this is more of a depth addition for 2027 by the Guardians. Lively has posted a 3.68 ERA and 147:64 K:BB over 195.2 innings covering 38 starts during his two seasons in Cleveland.