MLB Player News

Garcia met with doctors Tuesday regarding his right elbow and will seek a second opinion, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia was pulled off his throwing program Thursday after reporting soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. There's no telling how long it will be before he's ready to start up his rehab again, but it's usually not a great sign when a player seeks a second opinion. More details should be available once another doctor takes a look at Garcia.

The Angels selected Johnson's contract Tuesday.

Now that Johnson has officially been added to the Angels' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, he'll become the first player since Garrett Crochet in 2020 to reach the majors without appearing in a minor-league game. Johnson, 22, is likely to work in middle relief while he familiarizes himself with MLB hitters, but his 10:1 K:BB in 11.1 Cactus League innings is evidence that he has the tools to appear in high-leverage situations down the line. Jose Quijada was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Garabito will be on Texas' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Garabito ended the spring with eight runs (seven earned) allowed and 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. He'll begin the season with the Rangers despite his shaky performance, likely working in a long-relief role behind an Opening Day rotation that includes unproven young pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.

The Padres returned Nunez to the Orioles on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Padres selected Nunez in the Rule 5 Draft back in December, but he wasn't able to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster after surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits and six walks across five innings in spring training. He'll now return to the Orioles' farm system, losing his 40-man roster spot in the process. Nunez will likely open the 2025 season at High-A Aberdeen or Double-A Chesapeake.

Johnson has secured a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was the 74th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft and will bypass the minor leagues as he slots into the Los Angeles bullpen. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed five runs with a 10:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings during Cactus League play. Johnson will probably be eased into high-leverage situations, but he certainly has the talent to eventually become a late-inning reliever. The last player to make his major-league debut without having appeared in the minors first was Garrett Crochet.

The Rangers optioned Corbin to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Corbin's tenure meant he had to agree to being sent down, which he did so that he could continue to build up stamina after signing with the Rangers last week. He is slated to make two starts in the minors, with the goal of joining the Rangers' rotation April 11 against the Mariners.

Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Tuesday that Leiter will open the season in the team's rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Leiter showed an increase in velocity this spring while striking out 21 over 20.2 innings. He also walked 10, and whether the 24-year-old is ultimately able to throw enough strikes will go a long way in determining how successful he'll be. The upside is certainly there, but there's also risk.

Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Tuesday that Rocker will be in the team's Opening Day rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Injuries to Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) seemed to make this a foregone conclusion, and now it's official. Rocker mostly struggled this spring, but he ended on a high note with eight strikeouts over 4.2 innings in his final Cactus League outing. The 25-year-old's workload in 2025 will be curtailed to some degree after he threw only 48.1 innings in 2024 following a return from Tommy John surgery.

The Rangers outrighted Dunning to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dunning passed through waivers unclaimed, with his $2.66 million salary likely being a major reason why. He will remain in the organization and could be used in the Round Rock rotation.

Rodriguez (elbow) said Tuesday that he intends to throw a bullpen session later this week, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Additionally, Rodriguez said that recent imaging conducted on his right elbow revealed no ligament damage and confirmed the original diagnosis of inflammation/tendinitis, per Meyer. Though Rodriguez appears optimistic that he'll avoid an extended absence, he essentially started over in his throwing progression last week. Rodriguez has been steadily increasing his throwing distance off flat ground, and since he's thus far avoided any setbacks, he looks poised to take the next step forward by getting back on a mound. Rodriguez will need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before advancing to facing live hitters, and eventually, getting stretched out over multiple minor-league rehab starts or simulated games. While the Orioles aren't providing an official timeline for Rodriguez's return, he appears likely to miss most or all of the first month of the season.