MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Hence to Double-A Springfield on Friday.

The right-hander is one of the organization's top prospects and was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Hence was limited to 79.2 innings last season at Springfield due to back and lat discomfort, but he was dominant when available with a 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB. Returning to the Double-A level is a bit of a surprise, and it shouldn't be long before he's bumped up to Triple-A Memphis.

The Tigers announced Friday that Madden is recovering from a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will miss the start of the regular season, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Madden surrendered three earned runs in two spring appearances before suffering the injury earlier this week. He's completing a period of rest and rehab but is without a clear timeline for his return.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Garcia (elbow) could throw a live batting practice session soon, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia is still working on regaining his velocity following Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks last year, but he hasn't had any hiccups so far this spring. There remains no timetable for when the right-hander might be ready to pitch in a game.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that McCullers (forearm) is "really, really close" to pitching in a game, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers threw another live batting practice session Friday and came out of it well, and it appears the next step could be for him to try things out in a game setting. The right-hander will not be ready to pitch for Houston on Opening Day, but things have been trending in a good direction with his rehab this spring. McCullers hasn't appeared in a major-league game since the 2022 World Series due to multiple arm injuries.

The Astros optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gusto yielded just one run and struck out six over 6.2 innings during Grapefruit League play, although he also issued five walks. Slated to turn 26 next week, Gusto has yet to pitch in a major-league game, but he's on the 40-man roster and could be one of the first names the Astros call upon when they need a starter.

Gibson has reached 60 pitches in simulated games against college hitters and still plans to pitch in the majors this season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

There's been little free-agent buzz around Gibson since the Cardinals elected to decline his $12 million club option for 2025 back in October. He's 37 but has made 30-plus starts each of the last three seasons while producing a 4.68 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Gibson appears to be doing what he can to keep his arm ready, and he should eventually catch on with a club in need of a veteran innings-eater.

The White Sox announced Friday that Carela will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

The 23-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he'll miss the entirety of 2025 due to the surgery. Carela is likely to be sidelined until midseason 2026.

The Diamondbacks optioned Elbis to Double-A Amarillo on Friday.

The 22-year-old was in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he was never a likely bet to actually make the Opening Day roster. Elbis had a 2.69 ERA in 16 starts at High-A Hillsboro last year before being promoted to Amarillo, where he had a 4.57 ERA across 45.1 innings.

Steele (illness) is feeling better and will get some throwing in at the Cubs' spring training complex Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele had been scheduled to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals but had to stay home while battling the flu. The lefty is expected to get in one more appearance, likely in a simulated game, before making his first start of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

The White Sox optioned Carela to Double-A Birmingham on Friday.

Carela made just one Cactus League appearance, tossing a scoreless inning. The 23-year-old was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason after reaching Double-A for the first time in 2024.