MLB Player News

Rodriguez was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation Sunday and will be shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days after receiving a cortisone injection, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old still doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage, but the elbow inflammation will shut him down for at least the next week. Manager Brandon Hyde already announced Friday that Rodriguez would be unavailable for Opening Day, but it remains to be seen just how much time he'll miss to begin the season.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Manning was on the outside looking in for a rotation spot after logging a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over his five starts in the big leagues and a 4.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB in 69.1 innings at Triple-A last season. He'll begin the 2025 season back in Toledo's rotation and will be on the short list for a call-up whenever the Tigers require a spot starter.

Morton threw three scoreless innings against the Rays in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, striking out four batters.

Morton struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting down Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Curtis Mead in order on 14 pitches. He got through the next two innings on 13 total pitches. Morton's fastball was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph, and the 41-year-old has yet to allow a run through six innings of work this spring. With Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) already ruled out for Opening Day, the offseason signing of Morton is even more significant.

Gilbert gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, striking out three in 1.2 innings.

Gilbert served up two home runs, one off the bat of Pete Crow-Armstrong and another to Miguel Amaya in the second inning. In three Cactus League starts, Gilbert holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with eight punchouts over 5.1 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander received the first All-Star nod of his career and led MLB in WHIP (0.89), innings pitched (208.2) and starts (33) in the 2024 regular season, and Gilbert's spot atop Seattle's rotation should carry even more importance while George Kirby (shoulder) is shut down from throwing.

DeGrom threw two scoreless innings against the Royals in Saturday's Cactus League game, striking out three batters.

Making his first appearance of the spring, deGrom threw 31 pitches and didn't allow a baserunner. He struck out both Kyle Isbel and Bobby Witt to open the contest and finished his day off with a strikeout of Tyler Gentry. DeGrom's fastball touched 98 mph, and his slider and curveball looked sharp. The Rangers are going to slowly ramp things up with deGrom, and he's scheduled to again take the mound Thursday against the Giants. He's likely looking at 40-45 pitches in his next start, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Raya (left quadriceps) made his first appearance in a spring training game Saturday but gave up five runs on two walks and hit three batters without recording an out.

Raya strained his left quadriceps early in camp and his first spring appearance was pushed back. It was an inauspicious debut, but his struggles didn't sound like it was due to any injury setback.

Wright (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright continues to recover from a procedure in October of 2023 to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He suffered a minor setback in February when he sustained a mild hamstring strain, but he was able to get back on the mound Saturday. Wright showed a glimpse of his potential in 2022 with Atlanta, when he went 21-5 over 30 regular-season starts while posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 174:53 K:BB across 180.1 innings to finish 10th in the National League Cy Young vote.

Warren may begin the regular season as the Yankees' fifth starter due to injuries to Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Luis Gil (lat), Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Gil has already been ruled out for multiple months, and Cole -- who is awaiting the results of tests on his right elbow -- may be sidelined for an extended period as well. If the latter scenario takes place, Warren is likely to be needed as a starter from the get-go, joining Marcus Stroman as replacements in the rotation before the arrival of Opening Day. Warren struggled in his first taste of the big leagues last year, posting a 10.32 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 22.2 regular-season innings. However, he's pitched very well this spring, giving up just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 11 over eight frames.

Lugo gave up one run in 2.2 innings with five strikeouts and two walks in Friday's spring start. He has a 8.22 ERA with a 9:3 K:BB ratio over 7.2 innings this spring.

Lugo improved after giving up three runs in each of his first three spring starts as his five strikeouts showed he's nearly in regular-season form. However, spring stats hardly matter for the veteran who is locked in as the No. 2 starter for the Royals. Lugo won 16 games with a 3.00 ERA over a league-high 33 starts last season. A 21.7 percent strikeout rate left something to be desired, but Lugo provided so much volume with a surprising 206.2 innings that he accumulated 181 punchouts.

The Guardians optioned Espino (shoulder) to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff in March of 2024. He's not expected to be game-ready until July, but he has recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and once he's fully healthy he'll work out of Columbus' rotation.