MLB Player News

Montero was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old righty put together a decent spring, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHP and 17: 6 K:BB in 14 innings, but Montero ultimately fell short in his bid for a roster spot. In light of this transaction, Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe appear locked in at the back of the rotation for Detroit.

The Orioles placed Bradish (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish isn't expected to return until the second half of the season as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL has no impact on his return timeline. It does, however, free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Kyle Gibson, who signed a one-year deal with the O's on Friday.

Gibson signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Orioles on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

With Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish all set to miss the start of the season due to elbow injuries, the Orioles will bring in Gibson to give their rotation a bit of extra depth heading into Opening Day. The 37-year-old righty left Baltimore to play in St. Louis last season, where he turned in a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings. He's been pitching in simulated games against college hitters to stay in shape during the offseason, though his 2025 debut will be delayed while the Orioles put him through a normal spring ramp-up process, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

Cantillo allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning of relief in Friday's spring game against San Francisco.

Cantillo was a rotation candidate and made five starts this spring before getting work as a reliever in his last two Cactus League appearances. He gave up a three-run home run in the eighth inning to take the loss. Both Cantillo and Triston McKenzie, another starter candidate earlier in the spring, worked out of the bullpen Friday. That suggests Logan Allen (1.89 ERA, 19 innings) will be Cleveland's No. 5 starter.

McKenzie walked two, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning of relief in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

McKenzie, who made three Cactus League starts prior to Friday's relief appearance, managed to avoid damage despite loading the bases. He entered camp as one of several options competing for a spot in the rotation, but the right-hander's 8.18 ERA and location issues seemingly have the Guardians moving him to the bullpen.

Manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday that Maeda (illness) will begin the season working out of the bullpen, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Maeda has been dealing with an illness this week, but there's been no indication it will affect his availability for the start of the season. The right-hander had a 19:1 K:BB across 12.2 innings during spring training, but he served up four home runs and eight earned runs overall. Maeda should serve as a long reliever and potential spot starter when the Tigers deal with rotation injuries.

Kirby (shoulder) made 20 throws from 60 feet Friday and will expand his throwing distance to 75 feet Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, two weeks after being sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander was given a biologics injection last week, which he said definitely helped speed along the healing process. There is no timetable for when Kirby will be ready to make his season debut, as the Mariners will have to see how he responds to the ramp-up.

Priester could be trailing Sean Newcomb in the competition to open the season as the Red Sox' fifth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

It seems to be virtually a coin flip, but Browne gives Newcomb the edge. Priester's last Grapefruit League start was his worst, as he yielded three runs on six hits and three walks over 2.2 innings. He also has minor-league options left, while added Newcomb to the roster would allow the Red Sox to retain some depth.

Kirby (shoulder) played catch with a trainer for a few minutes Friday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

It's not much, but it's the first time Kirby's done any throwing since he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation March 7. The right-hander is hoping to be ready for his season debut around mid-April, but a clear timeline for the right-hander has not yet been established.

Francis gave up one run on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out four.

Facing a mix of big-league regulars, bench players and minor leaguers, Francis cruised through five innings before serving up a solo shot to Jonathan Aranda. The right-hander built up to 83 pitches (56 strikes) as he gets ready for Opening Day and tries to prove his big finish to 2024 was no fluke -- Francis posted a 1.53 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 56:7 K:BB over 59 innings after rejoining the Blue Jays' rotation in early August last season. Keeping the ball in the park has been an issue for Francis this spring, however. While he does have a 16:8 K:BB through 15.2 Grapefruit League innings, he's also been tagged for five homers.