MLB Player News

Strickland (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Wednesday during the Angels' first workout of spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Strickland didn't make any appearances in the majors or minors after July 6 last season due to a right shoulder strain, but he looks to be fully healthy as spring training gets underway. The veteran right-hander is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and will need to perform well during the Cactus League to clinch a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen. Strickland made 19 appearances for the Halos last season, notching one save and two holds while posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 22 innings.

Gelof (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "feeling healthy, feeling ready to go" and expects to be a full participant when he reports to spring training later this week, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

After posting 14 home runs and 14 steals in just 69 games as a rookie in 2023, Gelof looked to be a central figure in the Athletics' rebuilding effort, but injuries and an ability to make consistent contact against big-league pitching have left his future murky. He didn't make his 2025 big-league debut until early July while recovering from a fractured bone in his right wrist and a stress reaction in his ribs, then slashed just .174/.230/.272 with a 45.5 percent strikeout rate over 101 plate appearances between two stints with the Athletics before he was shut down in late September due to a dislocated left shoulder. He appears to be healthy again following surgery on the shoulder, but Gelof may need a strong showing at the plate during Cactus League play to make a compelling case for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster.

Falter (biceps) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Falter spent the final five weeks of the 2025 season on the shelf due to a left biceps contusion, but he made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Omaha in late September and looks to have had a normal offseason. The veteran southpaw will likely get stretched out as a starter during spring training, but he's probably on the outside looking in for a rotation spot and could be ticketed for a long-relief role.

Lauer will earn $4.4 million in 2026 after losing his arbitration hearing with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Lauer had filed for a $5.75 million salary, coming off a 2025 campaign in which he delivered a 3.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 102:26 K:BB in 104.2 innings. The veteran lefty brought some stability to the back end of the Toronto rotation for much of the summer before he transitioned into a relief role once the Blue Jays regained some health with the returns of Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer from injuries. Scherzer is now a free agent, but with Toronto retaining Bieber, trading for Dylan Cease and preparing breakout postseason star Trey Yesavage for a full-time rotation spot in 2026, Lauer could see a larger share of his appearances out of the bullpen during the upcoming season.

Bubic (shoulder) will earn $6.15 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Royals on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The Royals had filed at $5.15 million, but the three-person arbitration panel chose the figure Bubic submitted. Bubic experienced a breakout 2025 season, posting a 2.55 ERA and 116:39 K:BB over 116.1 innings covering 20 starts before going down with a left shoulder strain. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Bubic threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to be operating with any restrictions this spring, but the Royals will keep a close eye on him after he missed nearly the entire second half last season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora "seems to be leaning toward" batting Anthony leadoff against right-handers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Jarren Duran was Boston's primary leadoff man for most of 2025, but Anthony took over the spot in August and posted a 1.003 OPS in 27 games before an oblique strain ended his season. Anthony is fully healthy now, and while he should remain in the lineup most days against southpaws as well, he'll hit lower in the order when he doesn't have the platoon advantage. Duran is likely to open the season batting third versus righties.

Gore (ankle) was seen throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gore wasn't expected to be entering spring training with any restrictions after a minor right ankle impingement kept him out of action for the final week of the 2025 season, but his ability to throw a side session on the second day of camp confirms he's healthy. Acquired in a January deal that sent five prospects to Washington, Gore is likely penciled in as the Rangers' No. 3 starter behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi (core).

Teodo will be about 2-to-3 weeks behind schedule in spring training after dealing with a back injury last season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Teodo missed more than two months of action during the middle of the 2025 minor-league season because of a back problem. He finished the season healthy, but the Rangers don't want to push him early on in camp. Teodo made a full-time move to a relief role in 2025, posting a 9.00 ERA and 23:17 K:BB over 18 innings during his time with Triple-A Round Rock.

Rodriguez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions to begin spring training, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Angels manager Kurt Suzuki noted Tuesday that Rodriguez will have to prove he's healthy during spring training to secure his spot in the Opening Day rotation, but the 26-year-old righty is off to a good start. Health was a major concern for Rodriguez through three seasons with Baltimore, but he displayed plenty of promise when available, pitching to a 4.11 ERA (3.98 xERA) and 18.0 K%-BB% over 238.2 innings. However, after he had his entire 2025 campaign wiped out due to lat and elbow injuries, including a debridement procedure in August to remove a bone spur, expect Rodriguez's workload to be monitored carefully in his first season with Anaheim.

Cole will compete to be the Astros' starting left fielder in spring training, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Cole made a good impression in a 15-game stint with Houston late last season, posting an .880 OPS with four home runs and three stolen bases. With Jake Meyers slated to man center field and Jesus Sanchez in right, the Astros' final outfield spot should come down to either Cole or Cam Smith, with the loser likely to open the year in Triple-A.