MLB Player News

Manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Rodriguez (triceps) will not be ready for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Hyde noted that Rodriguez isn't dealing with any structural damage, but the discomfort he's feeling in his right elbow/triceps is enough to keep him out for "some time." The 25-year-old will seek a second opinion, and it's unknown at this point how far his absence will extend into the regular season. While Rodriguez is out, Albert Suarez and Cade Povich will battle for the open spot in Baltimore's rotation.

The Mariners optioned Castano to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Castano was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster in November, but he'll head back to Triple-A to begin 2025 after allowing five runs (four earned) over two innings during spring training. The 26-year-old righty turned in a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with the Rainiers last season, and he'll likely need to improve upon those numbers before getting a chance in Seattle's rotation.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Schmidt (back) will remain at spring training when the team heads north and is slated to make his season debut April 3 against the Diamondbacks, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game due to a back issue. While he seems to be past the injury now, the Yankees will hold him back for their sixth game of the regular season since he's behind schedule. Schmidt will throw a simulated game March 28 and is expected to have his pitch count built up to 75-to-80 before his regular-season debut.

The Rays optioned Seymour to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Seymour nabbed a spot on the 40-man roster over the offseason after collecting a 2.35 ERA and 162:41 K:BB over 145.1 innings between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2024. He'll provide rotation depth at Durham this season.

The Rays optioned Rock to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rock had a nice showing this spring, tossing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He was never under any real consideration for the Opening Day roster, however, and is slated to open the year in the rotation at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays optioned Curet to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The club's top pitching prospect, Curet allowing one run with a 1:1 K:BB over two innings this spring. The 22-year-old finished with a flourish late last season at Double-A Montgomery and could be headed back there to begin the 2025 season.

Kirby has been shut down from throwing due to right shoulder inflammation and will begin the season on the injured list, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby was not bouncing back well from his outings and had an MRI done, which came back negative. The right-hander wanted to keep throwing, but he was overruled and is slated to start the season on the IL. There is no timetable for when Kirby might be allowed to throw again. With Kirby sidelined, Emerson Hancock is likely to open the season in the Mariners' rotation.

The Tigers announced Friday that Madden is recovering from a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will miss the start of the regular season, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Madden surrendered three earned runs in two spring appearances before suffering the injury earlier this week. He's completing a period of rest and rehab but is without a clear timeline for his return.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) could throw a live batting practice session soon, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia is still working on regaining his velocity following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks last year, but he hasn't had any hiccups so far this spring. There remains no timetable for when the right-hander might be ready to pitch in a game.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that McCullers (forearm) is "really, really close" to pitching in a game, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers threw another live batting practice session Friday and came out of it well, and it appears the next step could be for him to try things out in a game setting. The right-hander will not be ready to pitch for Houston on Opening Day, but things have been trending in a good direction with his rehab this spring. McCullers hasn't appeared in a major-league game since the 2022 World Series due to multiple arm injuries.