MLB Player News
-
Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Yet to resume baseball activities
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that Rizzo (fingers) has yet to resume baseball activities, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Rizzo suffered two fractured fingers on his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in the penultimate game of the regular season. He remains a longshot to be included on the ALDS roster, but the ALCS would seemingly be more realistic if the Yankees are able to advance. Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera are in line to handle first base for the ALDS.
-
Grayson Rodriguez SP | BAL
Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez: Will be ready for spring training
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Rodriguez (lat) to more or less by without restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Rodriguez sustained a right lat strain in early August and was eventually shut down in late September after it became apparent he wasn't going to make it back for the regular or postseason. He should be able to have a relatively normal throwing program during the offseason, though health concerns could linger given how much time he missed in 2024.
-
Jorge Mateo 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Expected to be ready for spring
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Mateo (elbow) to more or less be full go for the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Mateo required UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow in late August for an injury he initially suffered in late July. Because the operation was on his non-throwing elbow, it significantly reduces the recovery time. Mateo is eligible for arbitration for a final time this winter and should be back in a utility role for the Orioles in 2025.
-
Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Expected to be full go in spring
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Bautista (elbow) to more or less be without restrictions at the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Bautista started throwing off the mound in August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by February. As long as he looks good during Grapefruit League play, he should regain the closer role for Baltimore heading into 2025. Bautista posted a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110:26 K:BB over 61 innings while notching 33 saves in 2023.
-
Jose Urquidy SP | HOU
Astros' Jose Urquidy: Team hopes for late July return
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration eligible for a final time this offseason, and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract for 2025.
-
Cristian Javier SP | HOU
Astros' Cristian Javier: GM hoping for late July return
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Javier (elbow) is projected to return in late July of next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
It's an ambitious timeline considering Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Any projected timetable at this stage of rehab is approximate, but it does appear Brown expects Javier to have a good shot to contribute shortly after the All-Star break next season.
-
Justin Verlander SP | HOU
Astros' Justin Verlander: Plans to continue pitching in 2025
Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.
-
Cole Ragans SP | KC
Royals' Cole Ragans: Set to start ALDS Game 2
Ragans (calf) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Ragans exited his wild-card series start versus the Orioles after six shutout innings due to left calf cramps, but his readiness for the start of the ALDS doesn't seem to be in question. The left-handed Ragans -- who will be pitching on five days' rest -- will be preceded by Michael Wacha in Game 1.
-
Michael Wacha SP | KC
Royals' Michael Wacha: Named ALDS Game 1 starter
Wacha will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Wacha had been lined up for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, but with the Royals completing a two-game sweep of the Orioles, the righty will be held back for the ALDS opener. He'll be opposed by Gerrit Cole.
-
Colton Cowser LF | BAL
Orioles' Colton Cowser: Suffers hand fracture
Cowser was diagnosed with a left hand fracture after Wednesday's loss to the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The Orioles' loss Wednesday eliminated them from the postseason, so Cowser will have plenty of time to recover before the start of spring training in February. The 24-year-old slashed .242/.321/.447 with 24 homers and 69 RBI across 153 games in the regular season and figures to remain in Baltimore's outfield plans for 2025.