MLB Player News

The Yankees placed Cole (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Cole will miss all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so the Yankees will stash him away on the 60-day IL to free up a roster spot for Carlos Carrasco, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Manager Rob Thomson said Suarez's back is feeling better after playing catch again Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies still haven't determined if Suarez will make his first start or head to the IL to begin the season, but Thomson said that decision will be made by Monday. The 29-year-old lefty is slated for another round of catch Sunday, which might help the team decide on his fate.

Cabrera (finger) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera is already slated to begin the season on the injured list, but the fact he's trending toward mound work before Opening Day is good news considering his throwing session Monday reportedly didn't go well. If he gets through his bullpen session with no issues, the plan is for Cabrera to pitch in a sim game Wednesday, at which point a return timeline may be established.

The Rays optioned Boyle to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Boyle was relatively impressive in the Grapefruit League this spring, turning in a 3.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with a 21:10 K:BB over 15.1 innings. However, because the 25-year-old righty finished last season with a 6.42 ERA and 1.72 WHIP, the Rays would presumably like to see Boyle maintain that success over a longer period of time before giving him a spot on their MLB roster.

Roupp remains neck-and-neck with Hayden Birdsong for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Kyle Harrison having been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong and Roupp are now the final candidates for the last starting spot. The 26-year-old Roupp has recorded a 3.75 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring, and he was considered the frontrunner coming into camp. The right-hander made 23 appearances (four starts) for the Giants in the 2024 campaign, during which he logged a 3.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:26 K:BB over 50.1 frames. The Giants are expected to get a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide the competition.

Birdsong remains neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Birdsong and Roupp are the final candidates for the fifth-starter spot after the Giants optioned Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Sacramento. Birdsong has made four appearances during Cactus League play, recording a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 frames. The 23-year-old made 16 starts for San Francisco during the 2024 campaign, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings. The Giants will likely take a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide who wins the final starting spot.

Brito has "backed off throwing" due to a sore right elbow, per MLB.com.

Brito began spring training competing for a spot in San Diego's rotation, but manager Mike Shildt announced in early March that the right-hander would be tabbed for a long-relief role. Now it's unlikely Brito will be ready for Opening Day, as he experienced diminished velocity and elbow soreness in his most recent spring outing, which took place back on March 4. If Brito begins the campaign on the injured list, Alek Jacob would have a clearer path to a roster spot as a long reliever.

Manager Joe Espada confirmed Saturday that Whitley (knee) will start the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley suffered a bone bruise in his left knee March 8 but has since resumed throwing, hitting 95 mph off flat ground Saturday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Whitley doesn't seem to be in any discomfort while throwing and will utilize his time on the injured list to make up for lost reps, which bodes well for his chances of returning after a minimum-length stay on the shelf.

Bibee signed a five-year, $48 million contract extension with the Guardians on Saturday.

Bibee's new deal will buy out all three of his arbitration years and potentially two years beyond that if the Guardians elect to exercise their club option in 2030. The 26-year-old righty has been one of Cleveland's most reliable starters since reaching the big leagues, turning in a 3.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across his two MLB seasons. He's continued to look sharp in spring training, throwing nine shutout innings over his two starts, and he's set to take the mound for Cleveland on Thursday in what will be his first career Opening Day start.

Bellozo has emerged as a leading candidate to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

A spot in Miami's rotation opened up once Ryan Weathers suffered a forearm strain Monday, and the reassignment of Janson Junk to minor-league camp Saturday puts Bellozo in a great position to make the Opening Day roster, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville himself last week. The 25-year-old righty started 13 games for the Marlins last season, finishing the campaign with a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. However, his 5.72 FIP indicates that his performance wasn't nearly as good as his base stats might suggest.