MLB Player News
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Jake Miller SP | DET
Tigers' Jake Miller: Recovering from hip surgeries
Miller has been limited to playing catch thus far during spring training and is ramping up slowly after he underwent labral repair surgery on both of his hips in October, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Though he's present at big-league camp and is soaking up knowledge from veteran pitchers such as Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander, Miller isn't expected to pitch in any Grapefruit League games while he works his way back from a pair of surgeries. Instead, the 24-year-old prospect is focusing on a throwing program and getting back to full health. Miller showed some promise in 2025 when healthy, posting a 1.80 ERA and striking out 21 batters across 20 total innings between Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie. He will likely begin 2026 at Double-A again and could move up to Triple-A Toledo at some point if he continues to impress.
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David Fry C | CLE
Guardians' David Fry: Resumes catching
Fry will spend the first part of spring training mainly as a catcher, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Fry, who was limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties in 2025 following his recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery, will ultimately move around the field for the final weeks of camp. In addition to catching, Fry can play both corner spots in the infield and outfield, giving manager Stephen Vogt flexibility when creating a lineup on any given day. Fry was an All Star in 2024, when he slashed .263/.356/.448 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI in 392 plate appearances over 122 games.
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Cody Laweryson RP | MIN
Twins' Cody Laweryson: Signs with Twins
Laweryson signed a minor-league contract with Minnesota on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Laweryson was claimed off waivers by the Angels from the Twins in November, but he was later released. The right-handed reliever posted a 7:0 K:BB while yielding two runs (one earned) over 7.2 innings with the Twins in 2025. Although on a minor-league contract, he may have a shot to win a spot in the bullpen in a wide open competition.
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Royals' John Means: Signs MiLB deal with Royals
Means (Achilles) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Royals on Friday.
Means missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he's now due to miss the entire 2026 campaign after rupturing his Achilles during the offseason. His two-year deal will allow him to remain with the Royals in 2027, at which point the left-hander will work toward making his first MLB appearance since 2024 and just his 11th since 2022.
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Zak Kent SP | STL
Rangers' Zak Kent: Cleared from 40-man roster
The Rangers designated Kent for assignment Friday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Jordan Montgomery (elbow). Kent was a waiver claim of the Rangers in January and could be on the move again. The right-hander posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 regular-season innings with the Guardians last season.
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Izack Tiger SP | TEX
Rangers' Izack Tiger: Delayed by elbow setback
Tiger suffered a minor setback with his rehab from an internal brace surgery and is not scheduled to face hitters until the end of spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Tiger missed all of last season following the September 2024 surgery. The 25-year-old was not going to make the Opening Day roster, as he's yet to advance past High-A and is coming off a lost campaign, and it's far from ideal that his development has been further delayed.
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Nabil Crismatt RP | TEX
Rangers' Nabil Crismatt: Undergoing UCL surgery
Crismatt will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
It had been previously reported that Crismatt needed elbow surgery, and now it's been revealed that it will be a season-ending UCL repair. Whether he requires a full Tommy John surgery or something less invasive won't be known until the operation. Crismatt had been in Rangers camp on a minor-league contract.
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Nate Pearson RP | HOU
Astros' Nate Pearson: Had offseason cleanup on elbow
Pearson underwent a cleanup procedure on his right elbow during the offseason but will throw a bullpen session Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander joined the Astros on a one-year, $1.35 million contract during the offseason, and it appears he's opening camp in good shape despite the procedure. Pearson surrendered 15 earned runs over 11 relief outings for the Cubs last season but was dominant at the Triple-A level with a 2.22 ERA across 44.2 innings. He's primarily worked as a reliever since 2021, but Houston is expected to give him a chance to stretch out as a starter during spring training.
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Munetaka Murakami 1B | CHW
White Sox's Munetaka Murakami: Could play some third base
White Sox manager Will Venable said Friday that he expects Murakami to play "some" at third base, but "most of his time will be spent at first," Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Third base was Murakami's primary position in Japan, but he's seen as a defensive liability there and is a better roster fit at first base for the White Sox. However, it's possible the 26-year-old sees enough action at the hot corner in order to earn eligibility at the position for 2027. Miguel Vargas is slated to be the team's everyday third baseman.
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Clarke Schmidt SP | NYY
Yankees' Clarke Schmidt: Throwing on flat ground
Schmidt (elbow) threw on flat ground Friday as he continues his rehab from internal brace surgery, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Schmidt had the operation last July and will not be an option for the Yankees until at least the second half. The right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.