MLB Player News

Cease completed 3.2 innings against the White Sox in a Cactus League game Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

In his third start this spring, Cease retired the side in order in three of the four frames in which he pitched. However, the right-hander's line was marred by a poor second inning during which Chicago racked up four hits -- including two doubles -- and a walk to push four runs across the plate. Cease was lifted with two outs in the frame, but under spring-training rules he was allowed to return to the game in the following inning. Cease worked up to 64 pitches in the start, and he appears to be progressing well toward the regular season.

Schmidt tossed 1.2 innings in a Grapefruit League start against Baltimore on Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

Schmidt got a late start in camp due to a back injury, and Tuesday marked his first time appearing in a game this spring. He struggled from the get-go, giving up four hits -- including a Ryan Mountcastle three-run homer -- in the first inning. Schmidt was at least able to end his outing on a high note, striking out two of the three batters he faced in the second frame before being pulled. The right-hander threw 38 pitches (23 strikes) Tuesday, and he'll likely get into two more Grapefruit League games before the beginning of the regular season.

Woodruff (shoulder) will pitch in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff was able to pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday -- his first taste of game action since undergoing surgery on his shoulder in October 2023. He touched 94 mph with his fastball and left his outing feeling encouraged despite giving up three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Sticking true to a traditional four-day rest schedule, he's set to last at least one inning against the Guardians on Sunday. He'll then gradually build up his workload during the remainder of the Brewers' Cactus League schedule followed by a rehab assignment at one of Milwaukee's minor-league affiliates.

Ynoa retired both batters he faced Monday and has thrown 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk this spring.

Ynoa missed the 2023 season after Tommy John surgery and then missed considerable time in 2024 while tending to elbow inflammation and a shoulder injury. He did finish last year healthy, however, as he was able to make six rehab appearances at Triple-A in September. He'll likely be moved to a relief role at Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Max Fried "might not line up" to be the team's Opening Day starter, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports, making Rodon a possibility for the assignment.

Gerrit Cole was the logical choice to start Opening Day for New York until he hurt his elbow and was diagnosed as needing Tommy John surgery. Fried would make sense to step in for the Opening Day honor, but the team may elect to not tinker with his schedule. If Fried isn't assigned the role, Rodon would be next in line given his standing as the Yankees No. 2 starter sans Cole and Luis Gil (lat). Rodon hasn't pitched in a spring game since Feb. 27, and it isn't clear when he'll make his next Grapefruit League appearance, but the Yankees haven't indicated that he's dealing with an injury or illness. Boone indicated Tuesday that the team is expected to announce an Opening Day starter in the next few days.

Flaherty tossed four scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. He walked two and struck out three.

Flaherty was just about flawless in his second spring outing. The Tigers gave him more than 10 days off between Grapefruit League starts, so it appears that the team is taking it easy on the righty before the season begins. Flaherty tossed a total of 162 innings for the Tigers and Dodgers last regular season, then saw another 22 innings in the postseason for Los Angeles as he helped lead the team to a World Series title. The 29-year-old will slot in behind staff ace Tarik Skubal to begin 2025.

Steele (illness) allowed seven runs on 10 hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He struck out three.

After being scratched from his scheduled start last week due to flu-like symptoms, Steele got bumped back to Tuesday and struggled with the extra time off, allowing three home runs in the short outing. The lefty finishes the spring with a rough 9.35 ERA across three appearances. Despite the poor showing in the Cactus League, Steele is slated to start the Cubs' second game of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

The Dodgers optioned Miller (head) to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Miller has made just one appearance this spring, and he was forced to make an early exit after getting hit in the head by a comebacker. He's been out of concussion protocol since March 2 and resumed facing hitters Friday, which is a good sign he'll be ready for the start of the minor-league season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that May will begin the season as the Dodgers' fifth starter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

May had been battling Tony Gonsolin for the final spot in Los Angeles' rotation, but with the latter set to begin the season on the IL due to a back injury, May will officially claim the final spot. He won't travel with the team to Japan for the Tokyo Series against Chicago, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. The 27-year-old righty will instead remain in Arizona to continue ramping up for the start of the domestic season.

Gonsolin (back) will begin the season on the injured list, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Gonsolin recently injured his back while lifting, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed Tuesday that the right-hander won't be ready for the regular season. Dustin May will claim the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation as a result, and there's no guarantee Gonsolin will automatically claim that spot once he's healthy.