MLB Player News

Valdez allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out one in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Valdez had a rough outing on the surface, but he built up to 60 pitches before throwing 15 more in a bullpen session. Per Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle, Valdez had no concern about his line, instead noting that he was focusing on the movement on his pitches in favor of trying to rack up strikeouts or precisely hit his spots.

Lee went 1-for-3 with his second home run of the spring in Sunday's loss to Baltimore. He's hitting .308 (8-for-26) in nine spring training games.

Lee is competing with Edouard Julien for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position. Lee is outperforming Julien so far this spring at the plate, and Julien has struggled in the field (two errors Sunday). However, Minnesota's plans for second base and Lee's role aren't clear at this point.

Woods Richardson gave up three runs, all unearned, in three innings with four strikeouts and no walks in Sunday's spring training loss to Baltimore. He has a 1.29 ERA with a 7:2 K:BB in seven innings this spring.

Woods Richardson entered spring as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role and hasn't done anything to lose that position after three spring starts. He's in a competition with David Festa and Zebby Matthews, and the Twins' fourth starter spot could be up for grabs as well if Chris Paddack falters.

Jordan was lifted for a pinch runner in Saturday's 9-8 Grapefruit League loss to the Twins after being hit by a pitch in his eighth-inning plate appearance.

The Red Sox didn't provide any details on Jordan's condition after the game, but it's possible that he was just lifted as a precaution. The 22-year-old first baseman slashed .261/.305/.388 over 380 plate appearances at Double-A Portland in 2024 and could be headed back to the Eastern League to begin the 2025 season.

Cole (elbow) was recommended to have Tommy John surgery, but he will receive a second opinion during the upcoming week before deciding on a treatment plan, a source tells Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

If the second opinion confirms the original diagnosis, Cole is expected to go under the knife for Tommy John surgery, which would bring an end to his 2025 season before it even began. The right-hander originally reported that he was struggling with his command in his most recent spring outing Thursday, which started him down the path of getting imaging on his elbow. If Cole does in fact require the season-ending procedure, it would be another big hit to a Yankees rotation that will already be without Luis Gil (lat) for at least the first three months of the season.

The Royals optioned Avila to minor-league camp Sunday.

Avila made three appearances out of the bullpen during spring training, tossing six innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits and two walks and striking out seven batters. The 23-year-old ended the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Omaha and will likely return to the International League to begin the 2025 season.

Berrios allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The veteran right-hander allowed just one run across his first two appearances of the spring, but Brandon Lowe tagged him for a three-run homer during the third inning Sunday. After posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 153:54 K:BB across 192.1 innings last season. Berrios is locked in as a mid-rotation starter for Toronto, though his career-worst 7.2 K/9 in 2024 will limit his fantasy upside if repeated.

The Rays reassigned Gerber to minor-league camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gerber made 17 appearances out of Seattle's big-league bullpen, but he's since toiled in the minors while also missing significant time with injuries. He landed a minor-league contract with the Rays in the offseason after he most recently spent the 2024 season in the Yankees organization. After failing to win a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen, Gerber is likely to report to Triple-A Durham.

The Tigers reassigned Miller to minor-league camp Sunday.

While with the Angels last season, Miller reached the big leagues for the first time and produced a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 13 innings. After being cut loose in November, Miller caught on with the Tigers on a minor-league deal and was given a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but he ultimately fell short in his battle for a roster berth. The reliever will likely open the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Walters is returning from right shoulder stiffness and threw a bullpen session Sunday, SI.com reports.

Walters was shut down after giving up three runs over one-third of an inning during his spring debut Feb. 24, but he's been cleared to resume mound work. The right-hander delivered 8.2 scoreless frames in his first taste of the majors last season, but it's unclear if he'll be past the shoulder issue in time for Opening Day.