MLB Player News

Double-A Montgomery placed Curet on its 60-day injured list Saturday due to an unspecified injury.

Curet is heading into his second season as a member of the Rays' 40-man roster, but he's still a long way off from reaching the majors. He's made just five starts above the High-A level, and he looks to be at least a couple months away from making his 2025 debut after he apparently got injured during spring training. The 22-year-old righty found immediate success with Montgomery last season following his promotion from High-A Bowling Green, turning in a 1.75 ERA while striking out 37 batters over 25.2 innings.

Newcomb will throw five innings in a minor-league game Tuesday at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

While the Red Sox traveled to Mexico for a pair of exhibition games against teams from that country, Newcomb remained behind in Florida to make a final tune-up before a potential gig in Boston's rotation. His chances of landing a spot improved greatly over the weekend when the Red Sox assigned Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester. Cooper Criswell, who pitched two innings Sunday, is also still around. Whichever starter wins the final spot isn't expected to be part of the rotation for long, as both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are due back at some point in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora did not say Newcomb is a lock for the roster, but the the lefty put himself in position with a strong spring. In 14.1 innings over five appearances, the 31-year-old Massachusetts native posted a 0.63 ERA (one earned run) with nine hits allowed and a 13:3 K:BB.

Taveras started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a stolen base in Monday's exhibition game against Kansas City.

One of the questions throughout the Rangers' camp and Cactus League games was which of Taveras or Evan Carter would be the club's starting center fielder come Opening Day. While manager Bruce Bochy hasn't confirmed it officially, having Taveras start Monday is a signal that he'll open the season as part of the starting nine. The 26-year-old switch-hitting outfielder is batting just .204 (10-for-49) this spring, but Taveras swatted four homers along with a double and four stolen bases over 19 spring games.

Mahle will start the second game of the regular season Friday against the Red Sox, Lawrence Dow of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Mahle had his final spring outing Monday against the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking two over three innings. Texas manager Bruce Bochy explained how the first series of the season lines up for the rotation: Nathan Eovaldi will start Opening Day, followed by Mahle on Friday, then Jacob deGrom will get the fourth spot. Yet-to-be-named pitchers will fill the third and fifth spots of the rotation.

Corbin (personal) threw a 75-pitch simulated game at Arlington Field on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Corbin's had a busy seven days. He signed with the Rangers last Tuesday but didn't join the team until Sunday, after the birth of his third child. The left-hander is not sure when he would be ready to compete in game action. His signing came about after the Rangers lost two starters -- Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) -- to injury. Rookie hurlers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are poised to enter the rotation for now, but Corbin could be an option at some point in April. Given that three of Texas' projected starters are coming off Tommy John elbow surgery and will likely need innings management, Corbin's addition is prudent.

Trout went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 5-4 exhibition win against the Dodgers.

Trout bashed a ball to left-center field in the sixth inning for his third homer of the spring. The veteran outfielder has hit the ball well during the exhibition slate, slashing .297/.469/.595 over 49 plate appearances. Most importantly, Trout appears healthy after playing in only 29 games last season due to a knee injury. He's moving to right field this season in an attempt to help him avoid getting hurt, and if Trout does manage to stay relatively injury-free this year, he could be a steal for fantasy managers who have invested in him despite the fact he has logged over 100 games just once since 2019.

Peraza appears to have been surpassed by Pablo Reyes on the Yankees' depth chart and is on the outside looking in for an Opening Day roster spot, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Early in spring, Peraza was viewed as a candidate to start at third base due to DJ LeMahieu (calf) being set to miss the beginning of the campaign. However, Oswaldo Cabrera has likely locked up that role with a solid exhibition slate while Peraza has slashed just .167/.273/.188. Even more detrimental for Peraza's outlook is that Reyes has had an outstanding spring with a .326/.434/.488 slash line and is also capable of playing more positions on the field. Peraza is out of minor-league options, so if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster, the team would need to designate him for assignment.

Reyes appears to have surpassed Oswald Peraza on the Yankees' depth chart and is a "strong candidate" to make the team's Opening Day roster, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Reyes would fill two needs -- a right-handed bench bat and a player capable of playing both third base and left field -- if he makes the Yankees' roster. The 32-year-old has also had an excellent spring, as a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate Monday lifted his slash line to .326/.434/.488. Unlike Peraza (who is slashing just .167/.273/.188 this spring), Reyes isn't currently on the 40-man roster, but Kirschner speculates that New York may end of designating Peraza for assignment, as he's out of minor-league options. If Reyes does get a spot on the Opening Day roster, he'd be unlikely to play every day but could get semi-regular opportunities given his ability to play across both the infield and outfield.

Julien has unofficially won a spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster to begin the season with Austin Martin optioned to Triple-A, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Julien was on the roster bubble, but will make the team with both Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee set to begin the season on the injured list. Julien could get playing time at second base and DH early in the season against right-handed pitching.

The Astros announced Monday that Gusto has won a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston previously optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land earlier this month, but he'll be recalled prior to Thursday's opener versus the Mets and will be available in relief. He gave up one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning during Monday's exhibition against Sugar Land, and it was enough to lock up his spot on the big-league roster. He'll be in line for his first major-league action, likely slotting in as a long reliever. Gusto primarily operated out of the rotation for Sugar Land last season, starting in 26 of his 29 appearances while logging a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 141:53 K:BB across 148.1 innings.