MLB Player News

Rocchio went 2-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against San Diego.

Rocchio is showing signs of improvement at the plate during Cactus League play, slashing .450/.476/.650 with four doubles through eight spring games. That builds off a strong 2024 postseason in which the shortstop had a .906 OPS. The 24-year-old was a highly regarded prospect a few years ago, and while he may not provide much in the way of power, Rocchio defends well (five outs above average in 2024) at a premium position and doesn't need to be a five-category contributor to be an asset for the Guardians.

Ortiz allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Padres.

Ortiz struggled with his command during his third Cactus League start. He walked two and allowed four runs in the first inning before being pulled, returning in the second via the re-entry rule to retire six of the final seven batters he faced. Ortiz's spring ERA jumped to 14.14 over seven innings, but as the Guardians' major offseason pitching acquisition, the right-hander should be locked into a spot in the rotation.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that Duran isn't guaranteed a place on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Duran posted a .276/.324/.443 slash line with 14 home runs in 122 games two seasons ago, but he slipped to a .609 OPS in 2024 and now doesn't have a secure role. The 25-year-old is competing for a utility job, but Josh Smith is poised to be the main reserve infielder while Leody Taveras lines up as the No. 4 outfielder.

Devers (shoulders) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The Red Sox have been proceeding slowly with Devers as he builds up strength in both of his shoulders. Assuming he plays Wednesday, he will have plenty of time to get ready for the March 27 season opener versus the Rangers, but the question remains as to whether he'll play third base or serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter on Opening Day. Devers made it clear earlier in camp that he views himself as Boston's third baseman, even after the team signed Alex Bregman.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Casas (illness) returned to camp Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Casas hasn't been included in a Grapefruit League lineup since March 2 due to a bug, but the first baseman looks like he'll begin ramping up again. The interruption in his spring routine shouldn't put Casas at any major risk of missing the Red Sox's March 27 season opener versus the Rangers.

Rodriguez was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation Sunday and will be shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days after receiving a cortisone injection, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old still doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage, but the elbow inflammation will shut him down for at least the next week. Manager Brandon Hyde already announced Friday that Rodriguez would be unavailable for Opening Day, but it remains to be seen just how much time he'll miss to begin the season.

Mattison (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The 25-year-old didn't see action in spring games while working through his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Mattison last pitched at the Double-A level in 2023 and had a 1.62 ERA over 33.1 innings, and he could be ready for action with Toledo at some point this summer.

The Tigers reassigned Vanasco (hip) to minor-league camp Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Vanasco is still recovering from offseason surgery to address a labrum tear in his right hip, so he could be a candidate to open the 2025 season on the injured list at Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old right-hander was outrighted off Detroit's 40-man roster in November and re-signed with the organization on a minor-league deal.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Manning was on the outside looking in for a rotation spot after logging a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over his five starts in the big leagues and a 4.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB in 69.1 innings at Triple-A last season. He'll begin the 2025 season back in Toledo's rotation and will be on the short list for a call-up whenever the Tigers require a spot starter.

Gamel (back) started in right field and went 1-for-3 in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Cardinals in Grapefruit League play.

Gamel was out of action for a little over a week due to a sore back, but the injury shouldn't derail his hopes of winning a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder. While he won't start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Gamel is listed as an available reserve on the lineup card and could make his fifth appearance of the spring, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.