MLB Player News

Rogers (knee) said Monday that he's resumed throwing off flat ground, but he's still a few weeks away from throwing off of a mound, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rogers is recovering from a right knee subluxation, an injury that has taken him out of contention for a spot in Baltimore's Opening Day rotation. Assuming Rogers is cleared to resume mound work by mid-to-late March, he'll likely need close to a month to get fully stretched out for starting duty. The Orioles may not have a rotation spot available for Rogers by that point in April, however, so the southpaw may have to work out of the bullpen when healthy until a starting gig reopens.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that McDermott (lat) will begin his throwing progression Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

McDermott is recovering from what's been described as a mild lat/teres strain, but the injury still seems to be significant enough to remove him from the competition for an Opening Day rotation spot. He'll likely be limited to playing catch off flat ground for the next week before advancing to throwing bullpen sessions and eventually facing hitters. McDermott may not have enough time to get fully ramped up to pitch in games before the Orioles' Grapefruit League schedule comes to a close.

Nikhazy could make the Guardians' bullpen out of spring training, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Nikhazy is already on the 40-man roster and has gotten off to a great start in Cactus League play, throwing four hitless innings with four strikeouts across two relief appearances. Pitching coach Carl Willis said Sunday that Nikhazy would make the club's bullpen, not the rotation, if he were to win a job. Nikhazy is a starter by trade and had a strong 2024 season, logging a 2.98 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 124:53 K:BB in 123.2 innings split between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. He is working on improving his control and could be a multi-inning relief option early in the year if the club's starters aren't all ready to go five-plus innings consistently.

Cecconi allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Brewers.

Cecconi breezed through the first inning on 11 pitches before trouble came knocking in his second frame. He allowed five runs on three hits, two walks and a fielding error before he was pulled early. The right-hander came back out for the third but surrendered three more hits and two runs. He threw 50 pitches (30 strikes) in what was his first Cactus League start (second appearance). Cecconi is being built up as a starter this spring and is a long-shot to claim a rotation spot. A long relief job is also a possibility.

Bieber (elbow) threw his fourth bullpen session Feb, 28 and progressed to throwing five times a week, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Whether it's Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis or associate manager Craig Albernaz, observers of Bieber's bullpens state the right-hander is right where he needs to be. Nothing has changed regarding his return window, which is pegged for some point this summer.

Gray allowed four hits and struck out two over three scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against Arizona.

Gray worked around two hits in each of the first two innings before retiring the side in order in his final frame. The right-hander threw 40 pitches (29 for strikes). He also worked on mechanical issues during his second Cactus League start after experiencing a drop in velocity his first time out. As Gray described it to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News following Sunday's outing, he was standing "tall" on the mound, which means he kept his right leg straight instead of it buckling as he pushed forward to deliver the ball. Gray's fastball averaged 93.7 mph during his first start; it averaged 94.4 on Sunday.

Stroman allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one batter over 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League game against Atlanta on Sunday.

Stroman gave up solo homers to Austin Riley and Matt Olson in the first inning and exited with two outs in the third after giving up a pair of doubles in the frame. The veteran hurler has been adamant about wanting to be in the rotation rather than coming out of the bullpen this season, and there may be a starting spot available with Luis Gil's Opening Day status in question due to a shoulder injury. However, Stroman hasn't made much of a case for such a role this spring, as he's posted a 9.82 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 3.2 frames covering two appearances.

Buehler struck out four and allowed one hit and no walks across two innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The right-hander was excellent in his first start of spring training as he pounded the zone, throwing 19 of his 25 pitches for strikes. Buehler struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery last year and had a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts for the Dodgers, though he turned in a 3.60 ERA across 15 innings during the playoffs. The 30-year-old joined Boston on a one-year, $21.05 million deal for 2025 and is a good rebound candidate if he can stay healthy.

Giolito (elbow) is tracking toward making his first Grapefruit League start March 11 versus the Phillies, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

After spending the entire 2024 season on the shelf while recovering from an internal brace procedure, Giolito has been behind Boston's healthy starters in spring training but has been active throughout camp. He's been able to complete multiple simulated games and will face hitters once more in a controlled setting Thursday before making his spring debut the following week. Barring any setbacks while building up during spring training, Giolito should have an inside track on an Opening Day rotation spot.

DeGrom threw live batting practice Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. "He looked good," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He looked like Jacob; the stuff, everything. He felt good. I think he came out of it fine."

DeGrom threw 25 pitches (14 strikes) in his first live BP session of spring. One person on hand estimated he was throwing at about 80-to-90 percent. The 36-year-old deGrom is looking for his first full healthy season since 2020; he's made just 35 starts over the last four seasons. Despite what has been a deliberate pace in deGrom's ramp-up, Bochy expects the pitcher to be ready when the regular season begins. He'll make his first spring start this coming Friday.