MLB Player News

Rodon (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

It's the first time Rodon has faced hitters since he had surgery last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. The veteran left-hander's rehab from the procedure has gone off without a hitch, and he is expected to make some Grapefruit League appearances before Yankees camp breaks. Rodon will begin the year on the 15-day injured list, but he could be ready for his season debut before the end of April, at the earliest.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Basso will head to Las Vegas to begin the season but should be near the top of the list for a promotion if the Athletics need another lefty arm out of the bullpen at any point. The 28-year-old made 11 appearances (one start) for the Athletics in 2025, accruing a 2.31 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

The Athletics optioned Barnett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Barnett made five late-season starts for the Athletics in 2025, submitting a 6.85 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 22.1 innings in what was his first taste of the big leagues. With the Athletics rotation in better health heading into 2026, Barnett wasn't able to clinch a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he should be one of the top candidates to get a call-up from Triple-A whenever the big club is in need of a spot starter.

The Athletics optioned Nett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Acquired by the Athletics from the Padres in July, Nett ended up spending the entire 2025 season at the Double-A level between the two organizations, logging a 3.75 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 116:48 K:BB across 105.2 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is expected to spend nearly all of the 2026 campaign at Triple-A but put himself in consideration for a promotion to the big leagues in the second half if he's able find early success in the Pacific Coast League.

The Athletics optioned Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Zhunag will make the jump up to the Pacific Coast League to begin the 2026 campaign after he spent all of last season at Double-A Midland, where he turned in a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 145:35 K:BB in 145.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster over the winter but is likely to find himself behind several other minor-league arms for a call-up to the majors.

The Athletics optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Harris spent part of the offseason recovering from thumb surgery, but he returned to full health for the start of spring training. The 27-year-old probably needed a big showing in Cactus League play to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster, and his .584 OPS over 26 plate appearances ultimately didn't cut it. Harris is likely to handle an everyday role in the corner infield at Las Vegas.

The Athletics optioned Perez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Perez won't break camp with the Athletics but he should have a good chance at making his MLB debut at some point in 2026 after he was added to the 40-man roster in November following a breakout 2025 campaign. Between stops at Las Vegas and Double-A Midland last season, Perez smacked 26 home runs and stole 27 bases while slashing a collective .231/.348/.473 across 587 plate appearances.

The Athletics reassigned Hartlieb to minor-league camp Monday.

Hartlieb had been attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, but any hope he had of being part of the Athletics' Opening Day bullpen ended after he allowed eight runs (seven earned) over 2.1 innings across four Cactus League appearances. The 32-year-old is likely to serve as organizational relief depth at the Triple-A level throughout the 2026 season.

The Athletics reassigned Bowden (lat) to minor-league camp Monday.

Bowden had been attending Athletics camp as a non-roster invitee, but a left lat strain has kept him from pitching thus far in Cactus League play, effectively ending any chance he had of winning a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The southpaw made 11 appearances for the big club in 2025, logging a 4.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB In 10.2 innings.

The White Sox optioned Murray (finger) to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Murray exited his most recent Cactus League game Saturday after being hit by a pitch on his right pinky finger, but that injury likely wasn't a major factor in him failing to win a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old infielder has yet to make his MLB debut and will need to show improved production at the Triple-A level before garnering serious consideration for a promotion to the majors with Chicago. As a member of the Rays organization last season, Murray slashed .241/.299/.400 with 18 home runs and five stolen bases over 572 plate appearances at Triple-A Durham.