MLB Player News

Ryan (shoulder) threw 36 pitches without any discomfort Thursday in his first bullpen session of the spring, MLB.com reports. "He came back from [the injury] the way we hoped he would. It gave him virtually pretty close to a normal offseason, which is what you're hoping for," said manager Rocco Baldelli.

Ryan suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain during a start Aug. 9 and missed the rest of the regular season. He had an MRI in November that showed a "complete resolution" of the shoulder strain and had a fairly normal offseason throwing program. He looks set to begin the season as the No. 2 starter in the Minnesota rotation.

Gray (foot) completed his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray finished last season on the injured list while dealing with a neuroma in his foot, but he seemingly had a normal offseason and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions during the spring. Rather than his health, Gray's role heading into 2025 is the bigger question mark during camp. Neither manager Bruce Bochy nor general manager Chris Young have confirmed that Gray will be locked into an Opening Day rotation spot, and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that the organization has had internal discussions about using the hard-throwing right-hander as a closer. The back end of the Texas bullpen is currently unsettled, as the Rangers let three key late-inning relievers (Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc) walk in free agency this winter and lack an obvious ninth-inning solution on the roster.

Valdez said Thursday that the Astros have yet to approach him or his agent regarding a contract extension, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez is set to make $18 million during 2025 in his final year under team control, and there's been no indication to this point that Houston is eager to lock up the lefty to a long-term deal. He'll turn 32 next winter, but Valdez should have no trouble landing a sizable contract from someone following three straight top-10 finishes in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

Wells (elbow) is throwing on flat ground but has yet to incorporate breaking balls or mound work, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander underwent a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow in mid-June. Wells' rehab has come along as expected to this point, but he's still in the early stages of his throwing program. He will not be an option for the Orioles until at least midseason.

Thorpe (elbow) said Thursday that he hopes to throw off a mound next week, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur from his right elbow and subsequently had a pair of setbacks, so he's a little behind at the start of camp. While the hope is that he will not need a stint on the injured list to begin the season, it's far from a given that he'll be able to avoid one. If healthy, Thorpe is projected to be part of the White Sox's rotation.

Perales (elbow) said Thursday that he's been cleared to throw off flat ground up to 90 feet, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Perales still appears to be in the early stages of his throwing program as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. Though the right-hander is unlikely to pitch in games at any point in 2025, the Red Sox recognized enough potential to keep him on the 40-man roster for the second season in a row. Before sustaining the season-ending elbow injury, Perales turned in a 2.94 ERA and 48:11 K:BB in 29.2 innings between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland.

Stroman has yet to report to spring training as of Thursday, and the Yankees haven't yet determined when he might be ready to participate in workouts, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

According to the terms of MLB's collective bargaining agreement, Stroman isn't required to take the field for spring training until Feb. 22, but his voluntary absence is noteworthy with all other pitchers and catchers having reported to camp. Stroman was still present in Tampa on Tuesday to take his pre-camp physical, and he's expected to continue working out on his own over the next few days before joining the Yankees. The 33-year-old's decision not to report to camp comes while his role entering the 2025 season is uncertain, after the Yankees signed Max Fried to an eight-year deal over the winter to give the team a projected five-man rotation that also includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil. Unless the Yankees head into Opening Day with a six-man rotation or lose one of the other five pitchers to an injury, Stroman could find himself in the bullpen after he turned in a 4.31 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 154.2 regular-season innings during his first season with New York in 2024.

Sugano has yet to report to Orioles camp due to visa issues but is expected to arrive this weekend, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Assuming he does indeed report this weekend, Sugano's brief tardiness shouldn't affect his spring training prep much. The Japanese right-hander inked a one-year, $13 million contract with Baltimore in December and is expected to open the 2025 season in its rotation.

Rogers is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after suffering a right knee subluxation in January, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Per general manager Mike Elias, Rogers is weeks behind schedule and it's not clear when he might be ready to ramp things up again. The left-hander was looking like a long shot to make the Opening Day rotation, anyway, and now he's facing an additional hurdle. Rogers held a 4.92 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 97:56 K:BB across 124.1 innings in 2024 between the Marlins and Orioles before spending the final month of the regular season in the minors.

Buehler threw a side session Wednesday, the first day of spring training, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Buehler got off to a fast start with his new team, as the right-hander attempts to shed a reputation as a late starter. The 30-year-old is coming off a three-year stretch limited by injury. After a second Tommy John elbow surgery wiped out 2023, he battled hip inflammation in 2024 and finished with a 5.38 ERA and 16 home runs allowed over 75.1 regular-season innings. Buehler redeemed himself in the postseason with two strong starts and the save in the clincher. The Red Sox are kicking around the idea of a six-man rotation and could roll with that early, when they play 19 games in the first 20 days of the season.