MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Harris to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Harris made two appearances for the Rangers late last season and entered camp in the race for a spot on Texas' bench, but he'll fall short and return to Triple-A for the start of 2025. The 25-year-old has experience at the corner infield spots as well as in the outfield, which gives a boost to his chances of returning to Texas at some point this year.

Cantillo allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning of relief in Friday's spring game against San Francisco.

Cantillo was a rotation candidate and made five starts this spring before getting work as a reliever in his last two Cactus League appearances. He gave up a three-run home run in the eighth inning to take the loss. Both Cantillo and Triston McKenzie, another starter candidate earlier in the spring, worked out of the bullpen Friday. That suggests Logan Allen (1.89 ERA, 19 innings) will be Cleveland's No. 5 starter.

McKenzie walked two, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning of relief in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

McKenzie, who made three Cactus League starts prior to Friday's relief appearance, managed to avoid damage despite loading the bases. He entered camp as one of several options competing for a spot in the rotation, but the right-hander's 8.18 ERA and location issues seemingly have the Guardians moving him to the bullpen.

Freeman started at second base and went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

The Guardians auditioned several players for second base during Cactus League play, and it's still not clear who will be the primary starter. Two players in the competition, Juan Brito and Angel Martinez, were optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, leaving Freeman (four starts), Gabriel Arias (10) and Daniel Schneemann (one) in camp The three can field multiple positions and would give manager Stephen Vogt mix-and-match options. Freeman (1.080 OPS, eight extra-base hits) has been the best hitter among the three this spring.

Neto (shoulder) has been throwing across the diamond in addition to participating in other defensive drills, Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Neto began throwing from shortstop to first base this week after being limited to shorter throws during the first half of March. The 24-year-old is also doing "just about every defensive drill that the rest of the team is doing" aside from throwing and was recently cleared to take swings off a hitting machine. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to face live pitching, and Neto remains likely to begin the season on the injured list, but he continues to be described as "ahead of schedule" in his rehab from the right shoulder surgery he underwent last November. Neto made it clear that he's pleased with his progress to this point, saying, "Honestly, I feel really great with my shoulder and where it's at. I'm feeling way stronger since when I first walked in here. I'm trusting our training staff and our coaches to get me in the right spot. I'm feeling great every day I walk in here."

Palacios was withheld from Friday's spring lineup due to a small fingertip fracture on his right hand, and manager Kevin Cash said the utility man will "probably miss a couple days," Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Cash also described the injury as "more [of an] annoyance than anything," so it doesn't appear the issue will affect Palacios' availability for Opening Day. The 27-year-old is expected to begin the season in a utility role for the Rays.

Yarbrough has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays now have 24 hours to either add Yarbrough to their roster or release him. Yarbrough pitched well last season for Toronto after being acquired via trade, posting a 2.01 ERA and 26:7 K:BB over 31.1 innings.

The Blue Jays optioned Loperfido to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Loperfido was thought to be a frontrunner to either play center field if Daulton Varsho (shoulder) wasn't ready or left field if Varsho was on the active roster, but he ultimately didn't make the cut. The 25-year-old has slashed .207/.303/.414 with no home runs and a 9:4 K:BB over 14 games this spring.

The Blue Jays optioned Jimenez to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jimenez was in contention for a backup infielder spot but ultimately didn't make the cut. The 23-year-old will receive regular reps at Buffalo.

Story was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Pirates due to lower-back tightness, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

It's the second time this month that Story has had to be scratched from the lineup because of a back problem, which is not ideal. He missed nearly a week of action the first time around, but it's not clear how long he might out this time. The Red Sox should have more on Story's condition later Friday.