MLB Player News

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.

Double-A Montgomery placed Curet on its 60-day injured list Saturday due to an unspecified injury.

Curet is heading into his second season as a member of the Rays' 40-man roster, but he's still a long way off from reaching the majors. He's made just five starts above the High-A level, and he looks to be at least a couple months away from making his 2025 debut after he apparently got injured during spring training. The 22-year-old righty found immediate success with Montgomery last season following his promotion from High-A Bowling Green, turning in a 1.75 ERA while striking out 37 batters over 25.2 innings.

Mahle will start the second game of the regular season Friday against the Red Sox, Lawrence Dow of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Mahle had his final spring outing Monday against the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking two over three innings. Texas manager Bruce Bochy explained how the first series of the season lines up for the rotation: Nathan Eovaldi will start Opening Day, followed by Mahle on Friday, then Jacob deGrom will get the fourth spot. Yet-to-be-named pitchers will fill the third and fifth spots of the rotation.

Corbin (personal) threw a 75-pitch simulated game at Arlington Field on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Corbin's had a busy seven days. He signed with the Rangers last Tuesday but didn't join the team until Sunday, after the birth of his third child. The left-hander is not sure when he would be ready to compete in game action. His signing came about after the Rangers lost two starters -- Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) -- to injury. Rookie hurlers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are poised to enter the rotation for now, but Corbin could be an option at some point in April. Given that three of Texas' projected starters are coming off Tommy John elbow surgery and will likely need innings management, Corbin's addition is prudent.

The Astros announced Monday that Gusto has won a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston previously optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land earlier this month, but he'll be recalled prior to Thursday's opener versus the Mets and will be available in relief. He gave up one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning during Monday's exhibition against Sugar Land, and it was enough to lock up his spot on the big-league roster. He'll be in line for his first major-league action, likely slotting in as a long reliever. Gusto primarily operated out of the rotation for Sugar Land last season, starting in 26 of his 29 appearances while logging a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 141:53 K:BB across 148.1 innings.

Wright (shoulder/hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Wright is continuing his rehab from right shoulder surgery and also picked up a hamstring strain in camp, so he's not yet ready for game action. The club should have more news on a timetable for his return shortly considering he tossed a live batting practice session Thursday.

Woodford signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.

Woodford exercised the opt-out clause of his minor-league contract and was released by the Rockies on Sunday, and it didn't take long for the right hander to find a new club. He's expected to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and provide organizational depth to the starting rotation.

Buehler (illness) tossed 85 pitches in five innings on the back fields Monday and is in line to start Saturday against the Rangers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Buehler was forced to wait a day to get his usual work in due to an illness, but he completed his throwing without issue Monday. Assuming all goes well over the next few days, he's slotted in to make his 2025 debut Saturday against a dangerous Texas lineup.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Monday that Detmers will open the 2025 season in the bullpen, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Detmers had been competing against Jack Kochanowicz for the final spot in the Angels' rotation. With Kochanowicz winning the job, Detmers will work out of the Halos' bullpen and could be used as a long reliever, per Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune. Detmers worked in relief in each of his last three spring outings and allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out 13 across 11.2 frames.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Monday that Kochanowicz will open the season as the team's fifth starter, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He beat out Reid Detmers, who will begin the season in the bullpen. Kochanowicz earned the spot after holding a 2.92 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 12.1 innings covering four Cactus League starts. The 6-foot-7 righty had just a 9.4 percent strikeout rate in 11 starts with the Angels last season, but the club will bet on the sinkerballer producing enough grounders to make up for his lack of bat-missing ability.