MLB Player News

Maeda tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out four.

Making his first spring training appearance, Maeda looked comfortable in a starting role, as he breezed through the first two innings of the game. The veteran righty has displayed increased velocity in camp, and that translated into four strikeouts among the six batters he retired. Maeda struggled mightily in 2024, posting a career-worst 6.09 ERA across 112.1 regular-season innings, but a bounceback campaign is possible in 2025. With Alex Cobb (hip) unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, Maeda may have a path to some starts in the early going.

Murphy (elbow) has thrown two bullpen sessions early this spring, Christopher Smith of MassLive reports.

Murphy has thrown a 10-pitch and a 15-pitch bullpen this spring as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last April. The southpaw missed all of last season due to the procedure after throwing 47.2 innings over 20 appearances out of the bullpen for the Red Sox as a rookie in 2023. Smith said Sunday that he's currently aiming to throw to live hitters April 10 and that there's a possibility he could be ready for game action during the first half of the campaign. He added that he's unsure what his role will be upon making it back to the big club, though Smith indicated a desire to be used in a multi-inning role, saying, "I feel like that's something that's going on in baseball now -- guys that can go two innings, guys that can go three innings. So have some utility."

Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Trammell's right calf strain is "pretty significant," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury while running the bases Friday and remains without an official recovery timeline, though it appears his availability for the start of the regular season could be in jeopardy. Trammell already faced long odds to crack Houston's Opening Day roster, and a multi-week absence during spring training will only dampen his outlook.

The Rangers signed Pillar (thumb) to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training Sunday.

Pillar said last summer that he was leaning toward retirement, but he later changed his mind and stated in December that he hopes to play in 2025. The veteran outfielder will have a chance to battle for a roster spot during spring training with the Rangers, who would represent the 10th team he's played for over a seven-year span if he's able to make the club. Pillar underwent left thumb surgery during the offseason, but the issue isn't expected to hold him back from taking part in games during the exhibition slate.

Bello (shoulder) has extended his throwing program to 90 feet and will undergo a strength test Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The right-hander was shut down briefly at the start of camp due to shoulder soreness, and he's still building up his arm strength before progressing to bullpen sessions. Bello's availability for the beginning of the regular season remains up in the air, and he may need to return to mound work soon to avoid a delayed start to the campaign.

McKenzie allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two innings in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.

McKenzie is looking to turn the page on a disappointing 2024, when he finished the season at Triple-A Columbus. He mainly used his four-seamer, which was noticeably faster than the 91.1 mph it averaged last season, and gave up a lot of hard contact, including a first-inning home run to Elly De La Cruz. It was an efficient outing for the right-hander, who got several quick outs during his first Cactus League outing.

Wong is dealing with shoulder soreness but is expected to be in the lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

It's unclear when exactly Wong sustained the injury, but it's not expected to keep him sidelined for long. The 28-year-old is poised to operate as Boston's No. 1 catcher this season after he posted a .280/.333/.425 slash line with 13 homers and eight steals in 126 games in 2024.

Duran was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup due to calf soreness, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

It's not believed to be serious concern, but the Red Sox are unsurprisingly exercising caution early in spring training. Duran could be back in the lineup after a few days off, and at this point there's no reason to suspect his availability for Opening Day will be affected by the injury.

Castro signed a minor-league contract with the Astros in November that includes an invitation to spring training.

Castro hasn't seen action in affiliated baseball since 2021 and spent the past few seasons playing in independent ball and the Venezuelan Winter League. The 29-year-old had a 1.095 OPS and 24 homers in 95 games with the Staten Island Ferry Hawks in the Atlantic League last year and is likely to begin 2025 at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Montgomery went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Montgomery, a first-round pick in 2021, is on the verge of debuting in the majors after logging essentially a full season at the Triple-A level in 2024. Interestingly, MLB.com is projecting Montgomery to be the Opening Day shortstop for the White Sox. The soon-to-be 23-year-old could perhaps benefit from more seasoning in the minors, but he will have the opportunity to force the team's hand this spring.