MLB Player News

The Rangers designated Kent for assignment Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Jordan Montgomery (elbow). Kent was a waiver claim of the Rangers in January and could be on the move again. The right-hander posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 regular-season innings with the Guardians last season.

Tiger suffered a minor setback with his rehab from an internal brace surgery and is not scheduled to face hitters until the end of spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Tiger missed all of last season following the September 2024 surgery. The 25-year-old was not going to make the Opening Day roster, as he's yet to advance past High-A and is coming off a lost campaign, and it's far from ideal that his development has been further delayed.

Crismatt will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It had been previously reported that Crismatt needed elbow surgery, and now it's been revealed that it will be a season-ending UCL repair. Whether he requires a full Tommy John surgery or something less invasive won't be known until the operation. Crismatt had been in Rangers camp on a minor-league contract.

Pearson underwent a cleanup procedure on his right elbow during the offseason but will throw a bullpen session Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander joined the Astros on a one-year, $1.35 million contract during the offseason, and it appears he's opening camp in good shape despite the procedure. Pearson surrendered 15 earned runs over 11 relief outings for the Cubs last season but was dominant at the Triple-A level with a 2.22 ERA across 44.2 innings. He's primarily worked as a reliever since 2021, but Houston is expected to give him a chance to stretch out as a starter during spring training.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Friday that he expects Murakami to play "some" at third base, but "most of his time will be spent at first," Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Third base was Murakami's primary position in Japan, but he's seen as a defensive liability there and is a better roster fit at first base for the White Sox. However, it's possible the 26-year-old sees enough action at the hot corner in order to earn eligibility at the position for 2027. Miguel Vargas is slated to be the team's everyday third baseman.

Schmidt (elbow) threw on flat ground Friday as he continues his rehab from internal brace surgery, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Schmidt had the operation last July and will not be an option for the Yankees until at least the second half. The right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Sandoval (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Sandoval was unable to make it back in the second half of last season as hoped following June 2024 internal brace surgery on his left elbow. However, it appears he is without restrictions at the beginning of camp. The left-hander is competing for a spot in Boston's rotation this spring but will have some work to do to secure a slot after the team brought in Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez and Johan Oviedo over the winter. Sandoval holds a career 4.01 ERA, 22.7 percent strikeout rate and 10.1 percent walk rate over six major-league seasons.

The Astros acquired Loperfido from the Blue Jays on Friday in exchange for Jesus Sanchez.

It's a return to his original organization for Loperfido, who broke into the big leagues with the Astros before being dealt to Toronto as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade in July 2024. Loperfido hasn't gained a foothold yet in the majors, but he did hit well over 104 plate appearances last season, slashing .333/.379/.500 with four home runs. The 26-year-old will be in the mix for reps as part of a largely unproven outfield in Houston, but he also has a minor-league option remaining and will be behind Cam Smith and Zach Cole in the battle for a corner OF spot.

The Blue Jays acquired Sanchez from the Astros on Friday in exchange for Joey Loperfido.

Sanchez slashed just .199/.269/.342 in 48 games for Houston down the stretch and the club wasn't anxious to give him another opportunity, so it swapped him for another outfielder. In Toronto, Sanchez figures to have a leg up on Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider for playing time in left field.

Bello is re-introducing a curveball to his arsenal this spring, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

With assistance from new teammate Ranger Suarez, Bello is expanding a repertoire that already includes a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper/slider and changeup. Bello, who came to the majors as a 23-year-old in 2022, threw a curve earlier in his career but couldn't find the right shape or proper arm slot for it. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey believes that Bello, through his experience at the MLB level, has developed to a point where he understands the benefits of horizontal and vertical breaks against hitters from either side of the plate. Adding back the curveball gives him another weapon to serve that goal. Bello is projected to slot fourth in Boston's rotation.