MLB Player News

Rocker is competing with Jack Leiter to fill the spot in the Rangers' rotation vacated by Cody Bradford (elbow), Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The former college teammates and current pro teammates will go head-to-head for the right to serve as the Rangers' fifth starter while Bradford recuperates from left elbow soreness. Rocker has been blasted for eight runs over two innings in his two Cactus League starts this spring, but he threw three hitless frames in an intrasquad game last weekend. Leiter, meanwhile, has pitched much better with a 2.53 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 10.2 innings, although he was shaky his last time out. It's unclear which of the two righties might have the current edge, but with the injury history of some of the other Rangers starters, there's a decent chance both Rocker and Leiter will wind up spending a significant portion of the season in the Texas rotation.

Manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Whitley has a bone bruise in his left knee and will hold off throwing for a couple of days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley reportedly suffered the injury during his appearance Saturday against the Yankees. There's been no official indication whether the injury will sideline him for Opening Day, but any shutdown this late in camp is problematic. The 27-year-old righty had been having a solid camp prior to getting hurt, allowing one earned run in five innings while striking out five batters and walking four.

Leiter is competing with Kumar Rocker to fill the spot in the Rangers' rotation vacated by Cody Bradford (elbow), Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy announced Thursday that Bradford would begin the season on the injured list with a sore left elbow. While it seems there's hope that it won't be a long-term absence, his turn through the rotation will likely need to be filled at least a couple times. Leiter could be the favorite if the team goes mostly on spring training results, as he's allowed just three runs with a 13:6 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He was wild in his last outing, however, walking five over 2.2 frames while throwing more balls than strikes. Control has often been an issue for Leiter, but his stuff has ticked up this spring, and he has looked dominant at times.

Mahle (forearm) allowed three runs on six hits and no walks over four innings in a start versus minor leaguers Thursday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Mahle threw 55 pitches in the outing and an additional 10 pitches in the bullpen afterward. The right-hander was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start earlier this week due to right forearm soreness, but an MRI came back negative, and it appears Mahle is back on track.

Strider (elbow) is tracking toward joining the Atlanta rotation in late April, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta has been resistant to offering any specific timetable for Strider's return from an internal brace procedure on his elbow, but Feinsand hears from sources that "it's reasonable to expect" the right-hander to make his season debut toward the back end of April. Strider is close to being able to pitch in a game, either in a Grapefruit League setting or a more controlled minor-league contest.

The Rangers optioned Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Garabito received his first taste of MLB action last year, logging a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 26.1 innings. He'll end up missing the cut for the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen despite giving up just two earned runs in 5.2 frames this spring, but he's a likely candidate to be promoted during the regular season.

Cabrera was forced from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros in the first inning with a blister on his right middle finger, Stephen Strom of the Marlins Radio Network reports.

Cabrera -- who has dealt with blister problems before -- lasted just 12 pitches and didn't record an out in the outing before being pulled. The right-hander has had a disastrous spring, allowing 13 runs on 11 hits and four walks over 4.2 frames. Cabrera is expected to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, although that plan might be revisited.

Gray has made two starts this spring, tossing five scoreless innings with a 3:0 K:BB.

There were reports earlier in the offseason that the Rangers might consider using Gray as a reliever and potentially, a closer. However, while it's possible the team might revisit the idea down the line, it fully intends to open the season with Gray as a member of its rotation. Gray posted a 4.47 ERA and 86:28 K:BB over 102.2 innings covering 19 starts and four relief appearances in 2024.

The Cubs are in discussions with Lynn on a one-year, major-league contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The Cubs have been on the lookout for additional starting pitching depth and Lynn is one of the few legitimate rotation options still dangling on the free-agent market. In 117.1 innings with the Cardinals last season, the 37-year-old held a 3.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 109:44 K:BB.

Cabrera was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League start against the Astros in the first inning with an apparent injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

De Nicola speculates that Cabrera -- who threw only two of 12 pitches for strikes before being lifted -- could be having fingernail issues, which is something he's dealt with in the past. The Marlins should update the right-hander's status shortly.