MLB Player News

Hendricks pitched two perfect innings during which he racked up three strikeouts in a Cactus League game Monday versus San Francisco.

Hendricks looked great in his spring debut, even managing to record more punchouts than innings pitched -- something he did just four times in 29 regular-season appearances last year. Nobody is expecting the veteran right-hander to suddenly evolve into a strikeout machine, but the Angels will likely be happy if he can just eat up innings and serve as a stabilizing presence on a pitching staff that had a collective 4.51 ERA (fifth-worst in baseball) last season. Hendricks struggled himself last year, however, posting a career-worst 5.92 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 130.2 frames with the Cubs.

Winn (shoulder) allowed one walk and struck out one across a scoreless inning during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants.

Winn has made a full recovery after missing time a season ago due to a sprained right shoulder capsule. He'll now set his sights on earning an Opening Day roster spot after struggling to a 7.79 ERA with a 14:4 K:BB across 17.1 frames in 2024 with the Rangers.

Halpin (wrist) went 0-for-2 in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Halpin failed to impress at the dish, but it's a positive sign that he's been able to put his wrist injury behind him. He finished the year with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, 12 stolen bags and 54 runs scored over 90 games at Double-A Akron a season ago.

Murfee (elbow) recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless inning during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rangers.

Murfee has been given a clean bill of health after recovering from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the 2024 season. He looked sharp in his spring debut, though the team will presumably monitor the right-hander closely throughout camp given his previous injury. Murfee should have a chance to earn a high-leverage role with the White Sox heading into the 2025 campaign.

Fulmer (elbow) surrendered three hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Fulmer missed the entire 2024 campaign while rehabbing from UCL revision surgery and has since been given the green light to return to game action. It was reported over the offseason that the club was considering utilizing Fulmer as a starter, and the fact that Boston sent him out for multiple innings in his spring debut supports this update. It'll be worth keeping a close eye on the right-hander's role as camp rolls on.

Moore will get looks at both second base and third base during spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Moore was already expected to compete for an Opening Day roster spot as a second baseman, but he could increase his chances of breaking camp with the big club if he can prove himself capable of handling the hot corner. Though the Angels signed Yoan Moncada on Feb. 6 to fill a need at third base in the wake of Anthony Rendon's potentially season-ending hip surgery, the team hasn't yet committed to a specific starter either there or at second base. Luis Rengifo is also a candidate to start at either position, and Tim Anderson has spent some time at the keystone this spring as well.

Baez (thumb) went 0-for-1 with a walk during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Baez has been cleared for game action after undergoing left thumb surgery in September. He's unlikely to crack the major-league roster to open the 2025 campaign but could see a few more at-bats against big-league arms until presumably being assigned to minor-league spring training.

Paddack gave up one run (on a home run) with two strikeouts over two innings Monday against Tampa Bay in a game that was canceled after two innings due to rain. It was his first appearance in a game since July after he missed the second half of the season due to a forearm strain.

Paddack has been throwing all offseason and has looked healthy this spring, with his fastball topping out at 95.4 mph. He's seen as the leading candidate for the fourth starter role but will face competition from Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa and Zebby Matthews for the final two rotation spots.

Martinez started at second base and went went 0-for-2 with a walk in Monday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.

Martinez was the third different player to start at second base in Cleveland's first three Cactus League contests. More players will cycle through in the coming days and weeks, as manager Stephen Vogt decides which will be the team's primary second baseman. Gabriel Arias, who started the spring opener at second base, served as the third baseman Monday and belted a first-inning home run.

Cantillo allowed one hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings in Monday's spring game against Arizona.

It was impossible for Cantillo to walk a batter as he threw only three balls among his 21 pitches. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told Jesse Friedman of MLB.com that throwing strikes will be the key to Cantillo's success. Cantillo made nine appearances (eight starts) for the Guardians in 2024, posting a 4.89 ERA while walking 3.5 batters per nine innings. He's one of several pitchers vying for a spot in the rotation.