MLB Player News

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.

Kikuchi (forearm) faced live hitters Wednesday in his first throwing session of spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi exited his final start of 2025 on Sept. 24 due to what the Angels called a left forearm cramp. The veteran southpaw looks to have had a normal offseason and appears to be ahead of most of the rest of the pitching staff, as Kikuchi is set to leave the team in the coming days to join Team Japan ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Per Bollinger, first-year manager Kurt Suzuki said Tuesday that Kikuchi is one of three pitchers locked into rotation spots, and the 34-year-old could get the nod for Opening Day versus the Astros.

Maile is not in Royals camp due to a personal issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Maile was re-signed last week to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but he has not reported and is no longer listed on the roster. The Royals are open to Maile rejoining the team if and when he is ready, but his status for now is in flux.

Houck (elbow) will begin a throwing program next week, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Houck underwent a hybrid reconstruction of his UCL plus a flexor tendon repair in his right elbow last August. The right-hander hopes to contribute to the Red Sox in September, but the club won't really be counting on him again until 2027.

Joyce (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session off a half mound Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Joyce is beginning spring training slightly behind the Angels' healthy pitchers, but working off a mound this early in camp is a promising sign. That said, manager Kurt Suzuki wouldn't guarantee Tuesday that Joyce would be ready to go for Opening Day, as the Angels plan to take a day-by-day approach with the flame-throwing righty reliever. The 25-year-old missed the final five months of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Berroa (elbow) has thrown off a mound three times so far as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Berroa missed all of 2025 after having the operation last March. He will begin the 2026 season on the injured list but should rejoin the White Sox' bullpen during the first half if all continues to go well with his rehab.

Church will be behind schedule to begin spring training while he recovers from a right lat strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Church dealt with lat issues for a large portion of the 2025 campaign, as well. The expectation is that he will be ready to throw off a mound again sometime in March, but Church's status for Opening Day is uncertain. Church has some of the best upside out of anyone in the Rangers' shaky bullpen, but he'll have to get healthy first.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Diaz has a chance to see saves for the club this season, but the manager wants to see how the former Reds closer looks in spring training games first, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Schumaker listed Robert Garcia and Chris Martin as the initial favorites to close games, but he left the door open for Diaz. The 29-year-old righty notched 75 saves for Cincinnati from 2022-24, but he fell apart in 2025, posting an 8.15 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 17.2 innings between three different teams. It's a good opportunity for Diaz to re-establish himself on a team lacking bullpen clarity, but he has a lot to prove before fantasy managers can trust him again.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Robert Garcia and Martin are the favorites to see save chances for the team this season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

After mulling retirement, Martin re-signed with the Rangers in December on a one-year, $4 million contract. He'll turn 40 in June but has remained highly effective, having logged a 2.98 ERA and 43:8 K:BB over 42.1 frames in 2025 while notching two saves. Martin finished last season on the injured list with an undisclosed injury but enters spring training without limitations.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Garcia and Chris Martin are the favorites to see the bulk of the team's save chances this season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Schumaker also noted that Alexis Diaz could work his way into the mix, but he wants to see how the former Reds closer looks in spring training games first. Garcia finished in a three-way tie for the team lead with nine saves last season, and the other two, Shawn Armstrong and Luke Jackson, are no longer with the club. Garcia collected a 2.95 ERA and 68:22 K:BB across 64.0 frames in 2025 during his first season with Texas.