Rodon (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

It's the first time Rodon has faced hitters since he had surgery last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. The veteran left-hander's rehab from the procedure has gone off without a hitch, and he is expected to make some Grapefruit League appearances before Yankees camp breaks. Rodon will begin the year on the 15-day injured list, but he could be ready for his season debut before the end of April, at the earliest.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Basso will head to Las Vegas to begin the season but should be near the top of the list for a promotion if the Athletics need another lefty arm out of the bullpen at any point. The 28-year-old made 11 appearances (one start) for the Athletics in 2025, accruing a 2.31 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

The Athletics optioned Nett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Acquired by the Athletics from the Padres in July, Nett ended up spending the entire 2025 season at the Double-A level between the two organizations, logging a 3.75 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 116:48 K:BB across 105.2 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is expected to spend nearly all of the 2026 campaign at Triple-A but put himself in consideration for a promotion to the big leagues in the second half if he's able find early success in the Pacific Coast League.

The Athletics optioned Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Zhunag will make the jump up to the Pacific Coast League to begin the 2026 campaign after he spent all of last season at Double-A Midland, where he turned in a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 145:35 K:BB in 145.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster over the winter but is likely to find himself behind several other minor-league arms for a call-up to the majors.

The White Sox optioned Sandlin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Acquired from the Red Sox back in February, Sandlin will return to the Triple-A level to begin the upcoming season after struggling in his first taste of the International League in 2025. After dominating early on last season as a starter at Double-A Portland, Sandlin mustered a 7.61 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 21:13 K:BB in 23.2 innings upon being promoted to Triple-A Worcester. He served primarily as a reliever during his time with Worcester but should be ticketed for the Charlotte rotation.

Gausman gave up three hits over 3.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's split-squad game against the Tigers. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander hasn't given up a run in his first two Grapefruit League starts, posting a 6:1 K:BB over 4.1 frames. Gausman built up to 52 pitches (34 strikes) on Sunday, and while the Blue Jays haven't made an official announcement, he remains to favorite to take the mound Opening Day against the A's.

The White Sox optioned Gonzalez (back) to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Gonzalez hasn't made any Cactus League appearances since last Tuesday due to a back issue, but he didn't make much of a case for winning a spot in Chicago's Opening Day bullpen after yielding three earned runs on five hits and six walks in 3.1 innings through his first three spring outings. Assuming he's able to move past the back injury within the next couple of weeks, Gonzalez should open the season in a high-leverage role out of the Charlotte bullpen.

Brown pitched four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, issuing just two walks while striking out nine.

Brown was nearly untouchable Sunday as he struck out nine of the 11 batters he faced. So far this spring, Brown's allowed just one run over 8.2 innings while racking up 14 strikeouts. The right-hander, who's already been announced as the Astros' Opening Day starter, is expected to anchor Houston's rotation in 2026 after pitching to a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts in 31 starts (185.1 innings) last season.

Cantillo allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four over 4.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Rockies.

Cantillo was at his most efficient in his fourth Cactus League outing, as the young left-hander submitted his best effort in a quest for a spot in the Guardians rotation. Prior to Sunday's appearances, Cantillo had allowed nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. There's time left for two or three more starts for Cantillo, who is competing with two other lefties, Parker Messick and Logan Allen, and right-hander Slade Cecconi.

The Red Sox optioned Bennett to minor-league camp Monday.

Bennett had drawn positive buzz during his first spring training with the Red Sox after coming over in a trade with the Nationals over the winter, but the 25-year-old lefty never appeared likely to break camp with the big club. After Bennett turned in a 2.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB in 45.2 innings at Double-A Harrisburg upon being promoted following the All-Star break, the Red Sox could have him open the upcoming season in the Triple-A Worcester rotation.