MLB Player News

The Astros announced Monday that Gusto has won a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston previously optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land earlier this month, but he'll be recalled prior to Thursday's opener versus the Mets and will be available in relief. He gave up one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning during Monday's exhibition against Sugar Land, and it was enough to lock up his spot on the big-league roster. He'll be in line for his first major-league action, likely slotting in as a long reliever. Gusto primarily operated out of the rotation for Sugar Land last season, starting in 26 of his 29 appearances while logging a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 141:53 K:BB across 148.1 innings.

Wright (shoulder/hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Wright is continuing his rehab from right shoulder surgery and also picked up a hamstring strain in camp, so he's not yet ready for game action. The club should have more news on a timetable for his return shortly considering he tossed a live batting practice session Thursday.

Woodford signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.

Woodford exercised the opt-out clause of his minor-league contract and was released by the Rockies on Sunday, and it didn't take long for the right hander to find a new club. He's expected to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and provide organizational depth to the starting rotation.

Buehler (illness) tossed 85 pitches in five innings on the back fields Monday and is in line to start Saturday against the Rangers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Buehler was forced to wait a day to get his usual work in due to an illness, but he completed his throwing without issue Monday. Assuming all goes well over the next few days, he's slotted in to make his 2025 debut Saturday against a dangerous Texas lineup.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Monday that Detmers will open the 2025 season in the bullpen, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Detmers had been competing against Jack Kochanowicz for the final spot in the Angels' rotation. With Kochanowicz winning the job, Detmers will work out of the Halos' bullpen and could be used as a long reliever, per Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune. Detmers worked in relief in each of his last three spring outings and allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out 13 across 11.2 frames.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Monday that Kochanowicz will open the season as the team's fifth starter, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He beat out Reid Detmers, who will begin the season in the bullpen. Kochanowicz earned the spot after holding a 2.92 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 12.1 innings covering four Cactus League starts. The 6-foot-7 righty had just a 9.4 percent strikeout rate in 11 starts with the Angels last season, but the club will bet on the sinkerballer producing enough grounders to make up for his lack of bat-missing ability.

The Orioles optioned Gibson to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Gibson signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Orioles on Friday to bring depth to a rotation that has Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish all missing the start of the season due to elbow injuries. Despite not being with a team during most of spring training, the 37-year-old Gibson has pitched in simulated games against college hitters and has built up to 70 pitches, and the plan is for the veteran right-hander to join Baltimore's rotation "somewhere around" May 1, per Weyrich. Gibson went 8-8 across 30 regular-season starts with the Cardinals in 2024 and logged a 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings.

Cantillo will open the season in the Guardians' bullpen, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cantillo lost out on the fifth spot in Cleveland's rotation but will be included on its Opening Day roster as a reliever. The left-hander made eight starts and one relief appearance last season, collecting a 4.89 ERA and 44:15 K:BB over 38.2 frames. Cantillo could still be considered for starts at some point later this season.

Rodriguez (elbow) played catch from out to about 90 feet Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez was spotted playing catch from about 75 feet last week, so he seems to have taken an incremental step forward in his throwing program as he recovers from elbow inflammation. The right-hander is likely at least a couple weeks away from stepping back on the mound, and he'll essentially need to complete his own version of spring training before the Orioles deem him ready to make his season debut. Baltimore will formally place Rodriguez on the injured list prior to Thursday's opener in Toronto.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that the goal is for Gibson to join the rotation "somewhere around" May 1, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Gibson had already been built up to 50-to-70 pitches while throwing on his own before he signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract last week. However, the Orioles have a plan in place for the veteran right-hander to continue getting stretched out before he joins their rotation. Gibson held a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings last season with the Cardinals.