MLB Player News

Williams will begin the season at Triple-A Durham, MLB.com reports.

Williams, 21, slashed .256/.353/.469 with 20 home runs and 33 stolen bases at Double-A Montgomery in 2024 and will move up to Durham to start this season. The shortstop has a chance to debut in 2025 if things go well in the International League.

Bazzana will begin the season at Double-A Akron, MLB.com reports.

The first overall selection in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Bazzana did not receive an invitation to the major-league side of spring training with the Guardians but still saw action in seven games, going 2-for-12 with a home run and a 4:4 K:BB. Bazzana made his pro debut at High-A Lake County last season and will move up to Akron to begin the 2025 campaign. The Guardians' second-base job is wide open, and Bazzana has a chance to claim it at some point this season.

Ortiz allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.

This was Ortiz's final outing of the preseason, which was a rocky one for the Guardians' winter acquisition. The right-hander finished with 14 strikeouts and 13 walks over 17.1 innings this spring. Despite his struggles, Ortiz is expected to start the third game of the regular season Sunday against the Royals.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Mahle will likely start the Rangers' third game of the season Saturday against the Red Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The skipper had previously indicated Mahle would start the second game of the regular season. However, Bochy has since changed his tune, and it now sounds as though Jack Leiter will start Friday ahead of Mahle and Jacob deGrom in Games 3 and 4, respectively. Mahle required an MRI on his forearm earlier this spring, but he was able to turn the page in a hurry and convince the team of his readiness for the start of the 2025 campaign.

Bliss has won Seattle's starting job at second base, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Dylan Moore (illness) and Leo Rivas, the latter of whom was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, were also competing for the gig this spring, but Bliss put together the most impressive camp. The 25-year-old will be part of the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career after hitting .308 with two RBI, two stolen bases and a .787 OPS in 40 Cactus League plate appearances. Although Bliss has earned a starting position to open the season, his fantasy upside will likely remain limited he is hitting in the lower part of the lineup and also playing at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park for home games.

Blanco has won a spot on the 26-man roster as a reserve outfielder, MLB.com reports.

Blanco missed time early in spring training due to right Achilles tightness, but was healthy the past two weeks. He hit .333 (7-for-21) with three stolen bases this spring. He'll work as a reserve for all three out outfield positions and be used as a pinch runner. He could be a good source of stolen bases if he can get enough playing time.

Garcia met with doctors Tuesday regarding his right elbow and will seek a second opinion, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia was pulled off his throwing program Thursday after reporting soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. There's no telling how long it will be before he's ready to start up his rehab again, but it's usually not a great sign when a player seeks a second opinion. More details should be available once another doctor takes a look at Garcia.

Rodgers will be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Rodgers didn't exactly have a great spring training, finishing camp with a .233/.250/.349 batting line alongside eight RBI and four runs scored across 44 plate appearances. Despite his lackluster performance, he'll land a spot on the Astros' bench to begin the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old hasn't played anywhere other than second base since 2021, so he'll likely only get to see playing time whenever Mauricio Dubon receives a day off or starts in the outfield.

Keaschall played second base for half of a Triple-A spring training game Tuesday, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

It was his first game in the field after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. He made a strong impression against major-league spring competition by hitting a home run with an .813 OPS while playing DH and pinch hitting. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A but could be in the majors this summer.

Lewis (hamstring) has yet to begin baseball activities, besides throwing, and the swelling in his injured hamstring could last two weeks, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain March 16. While there's no timetable for his return, it sounds like he could be out until late April if it's going to be a few weeks before he's able to ramp up his activity.