MLB Player News

The Padres traded Iriarte, Drew Thorpe, Steven Wilson and Samuel Zavala to the White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Dylan Cease, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Iriarte split time between High-A and Double-A last season, recording a 3.49 ERA and 1.28 WHIP alongside a 128:45 K:BB across 90.1 innings between the two levels. The 22-year-old prospect earned a spot on the Padres' 40-man roster during the offseason and had been in contention to make the Opening Day roster, but Iriarte was optioned to Triple-A after throwing three shutout innings during spring training. With the White Sox, Iriarte's chances at cracking an Opening Day roster are renewed given Chicago's weak MLB pitching staff, though it's possible the Sox keep him in Triple-A to continue his development.

The Padres traded Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, Steven Wilson and Samuel Zavala to the White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Dylan Cease, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Thorpe had been part of the package that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees in December, and he will now be rerouted to the White Sox with only a couple of weeks remaining before the regular season. Thorpe emerged as a top RHP prospect last season, posting a 2.52 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while striking out 182 batters over 139.1 innings between High-A and Double-A. Now with the Sox, Thorpe will likely return to Double-A to begin the season, but he could see a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte relatively quickly if he remains dominant in 2024.

The White Sox traded Cease to the Padres on Wednesday in exchange for Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, Steven Wilson and Samuel Zavala, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After recent pushes from the Rangers and Yankees to acquire Cease, the right-hander will ultimately end up in San Diego, giving a much-needed boost to a Padres rotation that lost Blake Snell, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo during the offseason. Following his brilliant 2022 campaign, Cease took a big step back in 2023 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 33 starts, though he still was able to rack up 214 strikeouts in 177 innings. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove have already been penciled in as the Padres' starters for their season-opening series versus the Dodgers in South Korea next week, but Cease could make his Friars debut when the team return to North America for its first domestic series with the Giants from March 28 through 31.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that France (shoulder) will start his first Grapefruit League game Saturday against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

France was able to pitch two innings during a minor-league game Monday, and he's tentatively scheduled to cover three innings Saturday. The 28-year-old righty has spent the first few weeks of spring training working his way back from right shoulder inflammation, but a strong outing against the Mets would likely clear up any lingering concern about France's chances of beginning the season in Houston's rotation.

Garrett (shoulder) is expected to throw a live batting practice session as soon as this weekend, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett has been slowed since the beginning of camp with left shoulder soreness, but he threw an extended bullpen session Wednesday and is days away from live BP. It would be the first time he's faced hitters this spring. Garrett will begin the season on the injured list and it's unclear how much time he might miss, but he's trending in the right direction.

Senga (shoulder) will begin a throwing program on March 22, one week later than initially projected, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza insists the delay for Senga "doesn't mean he's having any setback" as he works his way back from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder. Rather, the club just wants to make sure Senga is as strong as possible before he resumes throwing. It does slightly delay Senga's potential return, which had been roughly pegged for late April or early May.

Means (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Means is continuing his throwing progression as the club slow-plays him after he had some left elbow soreness last October. The left-hander will not pitch in Grapefruit League games but is hopeful of rejoining Baltimore's rotation before the end of April.

Bradish (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the first time he's thrown from a mound since being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in mid-February. Bradish felt good during the all-fastballs session, manager Brandon Hyde said afterward. The right-hander will begin the season on the injured list, but he continues to take positive steps in his recovery and remains optimistic surgery can be avoided.

The Mets announced Wednesday that Quintana will start the team's season opener March 28 versus the Brewers at Citi Field.

Quintana became the logical choice for the Opening Day nod after Kodai Senga (shoulder) went down with an injury earlier in spring training that will likely cost him at least the first month of the season. Though he'll be functioning as the de facto staff ace to begin the campaign, the 35-year-old Quintana profiles as more of a mid-rotation or back-end arm at this stage of his career. The southpaw missed all of the first half of the 2023 season with a fractured rib, but he was a dependable innings eater upon returning after the All-Star break, pitching to a 3.57 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 60:24 K:BB across 75.2 frames.

Wells allowed one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout over four innings versus the Rays on Tuesday.

Wells gave up a solo home run to Randy Arozarena, but he was otherwise in control for his second spring start. Wells is doing his part to earn a spot in the rotation to start the season, as the Orioles will be missing John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow). After starting 2023 as a starter and pitching well, Wells faded in July and dealt with arm fatigue after getting optioned to the minors. The right-hander may not be a starter for all of 2024 either, but if he can carry over his strong spring into the regular season, he could make some tough decisions pop up for manager Brandon Hyde.