MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Gausman looks "sturdier" in spring training after the right-hander deliberately put on added weight over the offseason, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. "I've never really pitched an entire season at over 200 pounds, but I think that might be a possibility for me this year," Gausman said. "We'll see what happens. I usually always lose a good amount of weight during the season, so that's why I try to gain as much as I can, knowing I'll lose some of it."

Gausman is listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds on the Blue Jays' official roster, and he's hopeful that by bulking up during the offseason through both his diet and strength training, he'll be able to maintain that weight over the course of the long season. The 34-year-old righty is also optimistic that a sturdier build will boost his odds of staying healthy and having something closer to a normal spring training in 2025. While he didn't go on the injured list at any point in 2024, a bout with shoulder fatigue early in camp slowed his ramp-up process and may have played a part in the steep drop in both his ERA (3.83) and strikeout rate (21.4 percent) compared to his first two seasons in Toronto (3.25 ERA, 29.7 K%).

Astros manager Joe Espada reiterated Monday that Altuve will see action at both second base and in left field this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Earlier this month, Espada revealed that Altuve had been working out in left field for a couple weeks before the start of spring training, perhaps in anticipation of the Astros re-signing third baseman Alex Bregman, which would have resulted in offseason pickup Isaac Paredes shifting over to second base. While Bregman ultimately came to terms with the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million deal, the Astros aren't yet closing the door on giving Altuve some exposure to left field, a position the 34-year-old hasn't played at any point since beginning his professional career in 2007. Espada said that he's made no permanent decisions on where Altuve will play this season, calling it an "everyday thing" with regard to how Altuve's deployment in the field will evolve throughout the spring based on the feedback he receives from the veteran. Even if Altuve ends up opening the season at his familiar spot at the keystone, the Astros could still look to move him to left field later on in the campaign to make way in the infield for top prospect Brice Matthews, who has spent most of his time at shortstop in the minors but made 11 starts at second base during winter ball in Puerto Rico.

The Angels outrighted Caceres (lat) to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Caceres had been removed from the 40-man roster in order to clear a spot for waiver claim Michael Petersen. The 25-year-old Caceres missed all of last season while recovering from lat surgery and it's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games.

Manoah (elbow) said Monday that he's scheduled to begin throwing off a mound in a couple weeks, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Manoah underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure last June to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The right-hander is hopeful to face hitters by June, begin a rehab assignment in July and be available as an option for the Blue Jays in August. In order to meet his goals, Manoah will have to avoid any bumps in the road in his recovery, which isn't always a guarantee coming back from UCL surgery.

Jimenez lost 25-to-30 pounds over the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Rays this offseason following a 2024 campaign that he referred to Sunday as a "disaster." Manager Kevin Cash said that Jimenez is "really, really motivated" and will get some reps in the outfield and even at first base in addition to competing for at-bats at designated hitter.

Lee, who has primarily focused on second base in the minors, has also been seeing some time at third in the early stages of camp, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Tigers are seemingly working on increasing Lee's positional flexibility, which could expedite his journey to the majors. Third base has some uncertainty in Detroit, as utility man Matt Vierling and youngster Jace Jung are currently the top options. Neither player has the role locked down full time, however, which could open the door for Lee down the road. The 22-year-old slashed .298/.363/.488 with 12 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 87 regular-season games for Double-A Erie last season. He's likely to begin the year with Triple-A Toledo and is not yet on the 40-man roster.

White Sox manager Will Venable said that Thorpe (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe has experienced a couple of setbacks in his recovery from September surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, resulting in him entering spring training behind the White Sox's other healthy pitchers. The right-hander still appears on pace to be ready for the start of the season, however, though he's probably at least a couple weeks away from pitching in Cactus League games. Assuming Tuesday's side session goes well, Thorpe will likely continue to throw at least a couple more bullpen sessions after that before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice.

Thompson agreed to a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

A career .212/.300/.411 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons, Thompson spent all of the 2024 season at the Triple-A level, producing a .768 OPS with 23 homers. Slated to turn 34 in March, Thompson is likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Worcester, where he'll give Boston some veteran outfield depth.

Though Torkelson has been squeezed by some other players on the roster, he could still make the team as a weapon against left-handed pitching, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Colt Keith has been taking reps at first base, which has seemingly pushed Torkelson aside. However, the latter still offers plenty of pop, particularly against southpaws. The Tigers may want that skill as part of their bench when they break camp. Torkelson's fantasy value has certainly taken a hit following a disappointing 2024 in which he batted .219 with a .669 OPS, though he could slowly boost his stock if he makes the team and begins to carve out a regular role. The former No. 1 overall pick did launch 31 home runs in 2023, which points to some of his upside as a slugger, but making consistent contact has been a challenge at the MLB level.

The Tigers could be open to letting Carpenter face more left-handed pitchers in 2025, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Carpenter saw just 31 plate appearances against lefties last season and is only 24-for-119 (.202 average) in his MLB career versus southpaws. He has crushed righties to the tune of an .897 OPS the last three seasons, but the Tigers may decide to expand his role. Carpenter himself pointed to the success he had against lefties in the minors back in 2022, when he posted a .905 OPS against same-handed pitching. The 27-year-old is still likely to ride the bench often when southpaws start, though if he can prove capable of hitting them to some degree of success, his overall fantasy ceiling would increase because he would have more chances to produce counting statistics.