MLB Player News

Meyer appears to be in the lead to win the fifth starter role to begin the season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

There's no big surprise here, as the 25-year-old right-hander's main competition for the job, Valente Bellozo, lacks Meyer's pedigree or raw stuff. Meyer is being brought along carefully in camp after throwing 115 innings last season between Triple-A and the majors in his return from Tommy John surgery, and through three innings so far over two Grapefruit League appearances, he has yet to allow a run with a 2:1 K:BB.

Rodriguez gave up two runs on five hits over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League start against the Yankees. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The right-hander served up solo shots to Austin Wells and Cody Bellinger in the first inning, but Rodriguez settled down after that and counted Paul Goldschmidt and Aaron Judge among his strikeout victims before hitting the showers. Rodriguez got squeezed out of the Blue Jays' Opening Day rotation by the Max Scherzer signing, and it's not clear yet whether the team will keep him as a long man in the big-league bullpen to begin the season, or stash him at Triple-A Buffalo to stay stretched out in case an injury opens up a spot.

Strider (elbow) threw 30 pitches in a live batting practice session Friday and used all his pitches, Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Facing the rehabbing Ronald Acuna (knee) as well as Ozzie Albies, Strider recorded four strikeouts over two simulated innings and drew a "that was nasty" comment from Albies after the second baseman flailed away at a breaking ball. Strider will begin the season on the IL as he completes his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow performed early last year, and Atlanta has avoided providing any sort of target date for his 2025 debut, but the right-hander appears to be making excellent progress.

Cantillo allowed three hits and two walks while striking out one over three scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Athletics.

Cantillo became the first Cleveland starter to reach three innings this spring. The lefty was given a big cushion by the offense, which produced three home runs and a 7-0 lead while he was in the game. Despite the number of baserunners allowed, Cantillo managed to escape without allowing a run. The 25-year-old remains in the mix for what appears to be two contested spots in the rotation -- beyond Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Luis L. Ortiz -- and Cantillo sports a 6.00 ERA with six walks over six spring innings.

The Phillies optioned Chace to Double-A Reading on Saturday.

Chace was promoted to Double-A shortly after being acquired from Baltimore in the Gregory Soto trade. The 21-year-old righty will now officially return to Reading to open 2025 in its rotation, and he'll likely be a candidate for a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the end of the year.

The Phillies optioned Cabrera to Double-A Reading on Saturday.

Cabrera was promoted to Double-A in July after turning in a 3.39 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 77 innings at High-A Jersey Shore last season. He was awarded a 40-man roster spot during the offseason for Rule 5 protection but will return to Reading to begin the 2025 campaign. The 23-year-old righty isn't likely to crack the majors this year, but Triple-A Lehigh Valley should be within reach.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Bello (shoulder) is still behind schedule but is progressing well, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Bello began experiencing shoulder soreness early on in camp, and with just over two weeks left in spring training, it's becoming increasingly likely that he'll require a stint on the injured list to open the season. Should that be the case, Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts would be the leading candidates to fill the open spot in Boston's rotation.

Cole said Saturday morning that he is "concerned" about what the imaging on his right elbow will show, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole said his elbow pain is the same as last year, and according to Randy Miller of NJ.com, "you could tell in [Cole's] voice, not just his words, that he is very worried." The right-hander is already talking about second opinions, which is an ominous sign. Cole and the Yankees expect to know more in the coming days, and it sounds like both sides are preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Young was optioned to minor-league camp Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander made three appearances in the Grapefruit League in his first big-league camp, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five over 6.1 innings. While a tad on the older side, Young is a legitimate major-league prospect and he figures to debut at some point this season after being added to the Orioles' 40-man roster in November.

Bido gave up eight earned runs over 3.1 innings and allowed four home runs in Friday's spring training loss to Cleveland.

Bido entered spring training with a lead on a rotation spot, but he's struggled by allowing 11 earned runs in 7.2 innings with an 11:5 K:BB. He still has time to win the No. 4 or No. 5 starter role, however.