MLB Player News

Eflin threw 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks.

After allowing one run on four hits over two innings in his first start of spring training, Eflin now carries a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP with just one punchout across 4.2 frames. Fantasy managers will want to see some improvement out of the veteran right-hander in the second half of the spring schedule, as Eflin is still getting tuned up, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. "I feel like the stuff is good," Eflin said. "Command could be a little runner. Trying to sync up my mechanics a little bit." With the status of Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) uncertain, Eflin's spot atop Baltimore's rotation could take on even more importance by the time the regular season begins.

Hernandez was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings this spring, and he'll now head over to the minor-league side, which was expected. The righty spent 2024 with Double-A Erie and could head there again in 2025, though a promotion to Triple-A Toledo could also be in order. Either way, Hernandez is unlikely to make much of an impact with the Tigers this year.

Flores (shoulder) was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Flores has been rehabbing a shoulder injury this spring and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in January to address some soreness. He was likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo anyways, but his lack of Grapefruit League playing time probably sealed the deal. Flores will provide organizational depth this season.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Rodriguez is dealing with right triceps soreness and will undergo testing, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez showed diminished velocity during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, averaging just 93.2 mph in the start and getting clocked as low as 89.5 mph with his four-seamer. The righty said after the outing that he simply felt "sluggish" and was not injured, but a day later he now has soreness in his pitching arm. The Orioles expect to know more about Rodriguez's status Friday after the test results are in, but a trip to the injured list could certainly be in the offing. If Rodriguez does indeed need an IL stint, Baltimore could consider Albert Suarez or Cade Povich for its rotation.

Matthews was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees due to an apparent ankle injury, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Matthews slipped on his right foot/ankle while fielding a grounder in the fourth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, which is a positive sign, but the Twins will likely take a closer look at the 24-year-old to confirm he didn't suffer any serious damage.

Gausman topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball during his spring debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The 34-year-old right-hander walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless, no-hit innings while tossing 23 of 38 pitches for strikes.

Gausman dealt with shoulder trouble last spring that prevented him from getting fully stretched out ahead of Opening Day, and he seemed to be playing catch-up all season with both his velocity and his command on his breaking pitches. Gausman finished with a 3.83 ERA and 21.4 percent strikeout rate -- his worst numbers in those categories since 2019 -- over 181 regular-season innings while averaging just 93.9 mph with his fastball. He spent this winter putting on extra muscle, and it showed in his first Grapefruit League action as he averaged 94.9 mph with his heater. If Gausman begins this season healthy, a bounce-back campaign could well be in the cards, as he produced a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate as recently as 2023.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Teodo is a long shot to make the team's Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Teodo has turned heads this spring with his big stuff and his results, as he's fanned five batters over 3.1 scoreless frames. However, Bochy noted that the Rangers want Teodo to continue to develop as a starting pitcher, and there's currently not room for him in the big-league rotation. Teodo is already on the 40-man roster and could make his major-league debut at some point in 2025 if he pitches well at Triple-A Round Rock.

The White Sox reassigned Smith to minor-league camp Thursday.

The fifth overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith spun three scoreless frames and struck out four across two Cactus League outings. Smith has the potential to be a quick mover through the system, although the White Sox have little reason to rush him since they're unlikely to be competitive for a while.

The White Sox reassigned Schultz to minor-league camp Thursday.

Schultz never had a chance to make the Opening Day roster but made a nice impression during his two Cactus League appearances, tossing three scoreless frames. The top prospect is likely to begin the season back in the Double-A Binghamton rotation and could push for a major-league debut before the end of the year.

The White Sox optioned Gonzalez to Double-A Birmingham on Thursday.

Gonzalez served up a couple solo home runs in his lone inning during Cactus League play. Acquired from the Red Sox this offseason, the 22-year-old Gonzalez will be deployed in Birmingham's rotation in 2025 and will be looking to bounce back from a 2024 campaign which saw him post a 4.73 ERA and 92:46 K:BB over 83.2 innings at the Double-A level.