MLB Player News

Robles (hand) will start in right field and bat leadoff in Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Robles was pulled from Saturday's game against the White Sox after being struck on the right hand by a pitch, but he avoided any broken bones. After checking out fine while taking live batting practice Sunday, the swelling and soreness in Robles' hand has apparently subsided enough to the point that the 27-year-old has been cleared to play in the Mariners' spring finale. Assuming he comes out of Monday's contest no worse for the wear, Robles should be ready to handle leadoff duties for Seattle in Thursday's season opener versus the Athletics.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that the goal is for Gibson to join the rotation "somewhere around" May 1, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Gibson had already been built up to 50-to-70 pitches while throwing on his own before he signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract last week. However, the Orioles have a plan in place for the veteran right-hander to continue getting stretched out before he joins their rotation. Gibson held a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings last season with the Cardinals.

Leiter (back) struck out the side in his lone inning of relief in Saturday's 8-7 Grapefruit League loss to the Phillies.

Leiter made his first appearance since March 6 after a back injury resulted in the Yankees keeping him off the pitching schedule for more than two weeks. The right-hander erased any concern about his health by tossing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while inducing four swings and misses. He'll likely be ticketed for a middle-relief role with the Yankees to open the season.

The Yankees placed Gil (lat) on the 60-day injured list Monday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who signed a one-year deal Monday. Gil is expected to be sidelined until at least June while he recovers from a high-grade right lat strain.

Ward went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Sunday in an exhibition loss to the Dodgers.

Ward accounted for the Angels' only run of the game with his 399-foot solo shot to center field in the third inning. The veteran outfielder has gone deep just one time this spring, but he's hit well with a .275/.370/.425 slash line over 46 plate appearances. Ward batted leadoff Sunday, and it appears he'll open the campaign in that position in the batting order after primarily hitting third last season.

Kurtz (hand) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Cubs in Cactus League play.

Kurtz returned to action for the first time since March 15, when he was removed from a game against the Rangers after being hit in the right hand by a pitch. He served as a backup designated hitter Sunday, but Kurtz could be ready to play first base when the minor-league season opens. Widely viewed as the top prospect in the Athletics' system, Kurtz was officially reassigned to minor-league camp March 10 but has continued to make occasional Cactus League appearances since that time. He's turned in an excellent spring with a .974 OPS in 31 plate appearances.

Soriano allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.1 innings in an exhibition start against the Dodgers on Sunday.

Soriano held the Dodgers scoreless until Max Muncy tagged him for a solo home run in the fifth inning. That was the only run the right-hander allowed in the outing, and he worked up to 85 pitches (including 51 strikes) in his final spring tune-up. Soriano finished the exhibition slate with a 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB over 20 innings, and he's slated to next take the mound in the Angels' third game of the regular season, which will take place Sunday in Chicago against the White Sox.

Thomas (knee) played in Cactus League games Saturday and Sunday and went a combined 2-for-5 with a home run, an additional run and two RBI while playing 13 innings in left field.

Thomas' pair of appearances were his first since March 15, when he exited a game against the Rangers after taking a line drive off his right knee. The outfielder had already been reassigned to minor-league camp March 10, so the injury wasn't a factor in him not making the Opening Day roster. Thomas is expected to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Sacramento.

Bigge is now set to make the Rays' Opening Day roster with Shane McClanahan (triceps) slated for the 15-day injured list, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Bigge was optioned to Triple-A Durham last week but will be recalled to take McClanahan's spot. The hard-throwing reliever boasted a 2.57 ERA and 19:3 K:BB over 14 innings for the Rays last season after being acquired from the Cubs in a trade.

Fried completed 5.1 innings in a Grapefruit League game against Tampa Bay on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters.

Fried fell behind early when he served up a two-run home run to Junior Caminero in the first inning, but the star hurler allowed just one more run (and no additional extra-base hits) during the remainder of his outing. Fried pitched well during his first spring with the Yankees, compiling a 3.38 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over 16 innings. The next time he takes the mound in a game, the lefty will be making his regular-season debut for New York. That start is expected to take place Saturday versus Milwaukee.