MLB Player News

Nunez (forearm) does not have any restrictions at the start of camp, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez missed most of the second half and all of the postseason with a right flexor strain, but he touched 96 mph during a Mets-supervised live batting practice session over the winter and is now considered fully healthy. While this certainly qualifies as good news, Nunez should still be considered a bit of a health risk moving forward, given the nature of his previous injury. The 28-year-old was superb for the Mets when on the bump in 2024, collecting a 2.31 ERA and 48:8 K:BB over 35 innings.

Ashcraft (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft looks to be opening spring training without any restrictions after he didn't pitch after the All-Star break last season due to a right elbow strain. The 27-year-old will be vying for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but with the Reds adding Brady Singer in the offseason, the team may not have a starting role available for Ashcraft. The right-hander could change minds with a strong showing in spring training, but his track record as a starter over parts of three big-league seasons isn't overly impressive (4.91 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 328 innings), and his lack of reliable offerings beyond his big fastball and slider could make him a better fit in the bullpen.

Ray (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Thursday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Ray finished the 2024 season on the injured list after straining his hamstring in an Aug. 27 start, but he was able to throw a simulated game in September and seems to have had a normal offseason. Heading into the fourth season of the five-year, $115 million deal he signed with Seattle in November 2021, Ray should have a hold on a rotation spot after he fared well for San Francisco upon completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Though he posted a 4.70 ERA over his seven starts for the Giants before being shut down with the hamstring strain, Ray's underlying metrics (21.7 K-BB%, 3.51 SIERA) were more impressive.

Gray (foot) completed his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray finished last season on the injured list while dealing with a neuroma in his foot, but he seemingly had a normal offseason and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions during the spring. Rather than his health, Gray's role heading into 2025 is the bigger question mark during camp. Neither manager Bruce Bochy nor general manager Chris Young have confirmed that Gray will be locked into an Opening Day rotation spot, and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that the organization has had internal discussions about using the hard-throwing right-hander as a closer. The back end of the Texas bullpen is currently unsettled, as the Rangers let three key late-inning relievers (Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc) walk in free agency this winter and lack an obvious ninth-inning solution on the roster.

Valdez said Thursday that the Astros have yet to approach him or his agent regarding a contract extension, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez is set to make $18 million during 2025 in his final year under team control, and there's been no indication to this point that Houston is eager to lock up the lefty to a long-term deal. He'll turn 32 next winter, but Valdez should have no trouble landing a sizable contract from someone following three straight top-10 finishes in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

Wells (elbow) is throwing on flat ground but has yet to incorporate breaking balls or mound work, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander underwent a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow in mid-June. Wells' rehab has come along as expected to this point, but he's still in the early stages of his throwing program. He will not be an option for the Orioles until at least midseason.

Manager Bud Black said Thursday that Sullivan will be behind the Rockies' other pitchers to begin spring training while the left-hander continues to recover from hip surgery, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

It's unclear when Sullivan had surgery, but it was presumably at some point over the winter, as he finished last season on Double-A Hartford's active roster. Sullivan was excellent over his seven starts with Hartford (1.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 24:7 K:BB in 32 innings), and his efforts earned him his first invitation to big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. Once he's fully ramped up, Sullivan will likely open the 2025 season with either Hartford or Triple-A Albuquerque.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Thursday that Marquez (elbow) is back to full health for spring training, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

After completing his recovery from his May 2023 Tommy John surgery, Marquez was cleared to make his 2024 debut for the Rockies on July 14, but he made just one start before going back on the shelf after developing a stress reaction in his surgically repaired elbow. Fortunately for Marquez, he didn't require another procedure and was able to move past the elbow issue through extended rest and rehab. The 29-year-old should be in the mix for the Rockies' Opening Day start, though that will hinge on him remaining healthy throughout the spring.

Thorpe (elbow) said Thursday that he hopes to throw off a mound next week, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur from his right elbow and subsequently had a pair of setbacks, so he's a little behind at the start of camp. While the hope is that he will not need a stint on the injured list to begin the season, it's far from a given that he'll be able to avoid one. If healthy, Thorpe is projected to be part of the White Sox's rotation.

Fulton (elbow) threw live batting practice to a number of hitters Thursday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

The extent of Fulton's throwing session isn't fully known, but the fact that he was facing hitters in the early stages of camp is a sign that he's healthy again after he missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from his second career Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in the summer of 2023. Despite the major red flags on his health record, the Marlins still protected Fulton from the Rule 5 Draft this winter and added him to their 40-man roster. The 23-year-old lefty isn't expected to be a factor in the majors anytime soon, as he'll need to prove his health and turn in quality results in the upper levels of the minors before he makes his big-league debut.