MLB Player News

Kowar (shoulder) made his Grapefruit League debut in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Tigers, issuing one walk and allowing no hits over a scoreless inning of relief.

Kowar looks to be back to full health after he spent the final month of the 2025 season on the Mariners' injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. After Seattle waived Kowar in January, he caught on with the Twins before being traded to the Orioles less than two weeks later. The right-hander is competing for a spot in Baltimore's Opening Day bullpen this spring.

The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Madden reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 and submitted a 4.30 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 23 innings, but the 25-year-old righty had his entire 2025 campaign wiped out while he recovered from a right rotator cuff strain. Though he's back to full health, Madden will need to shake off some rust and pitch effectively for Toledo before getting consideration for a starting role with the big club.

The Tigers optioned Smith to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Smith will still join the Tigers' big-league group for its two-game exhibition in the Dominican Republic during the upcoming week, but he'll report to minor-league camp upon returning to Florida. The 25-year-old righty allowed just two earned runs on six hits and five walks over 13 innings in his seven appearances out of the Detroit bullpen in 2025, but he'll likely need to pitch well at Toledo before earning another look in the big leagues.

Ryan (back) checked out well after his bullpen session Saturday and is slated to face hitters in live batting practice in the coming days, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, after he was scratched ahead of his scheduled outing last weekend when he experienced inflammation on the right side of his back. The right-hander was cleared to resume working out a few days after suffering the injury and seems to be moving through his throwing program as anticipated. While the back issue will prevent Ryan from pitching for Team USA during pool play in the World Baseball Classic, he's still part of the designated player pool and could be available for the second round of the WBC if his schedule aligns with it. Before that, Ryan is expected to pitch in a Grapefruit League game about five or six days after he throws his live BP session, per Matthew Leach of MLB.com.

Atlanta optioned Stratton to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The right-hander finished 2025 in the big-league bullpen but is set to open the 2026 campaign back in the minors. Stratton made 15 appearances in the big leagues between Pittsburgh and Atlanta last year, posting a 5.21 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB over 19 innings.

Duran went 2-for-2 with a walk, two home runs, four RBI and a third run scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

No Red Sox batter is hotter than Duran, who was the subject of trade rumors all offseason. His two-HR day followed up Friday's homer off Atlanta's Chris Sale. Duran has gone 7-for-12 with three walks, two doubles, three home runs and five RBI over five spring games. His power surge is an encouraging sign for a Boston team looking for offense heading into the regular season. The outfielder will soon depart spring training to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico.

Gray allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against Minnesota.

Gray was on the mound in game action for the first time in a Red Sox uniform, but it wasn't exactly an impressive debut. He worked out of a two-out, two-on jam in the first inning but was touched for a home run in his second frame and removed with one out after 31 pitches, just 13 in which went for strikes. On the bright side, Gray did deploy all of the pitches in his arsenal as he focuses on getting ready for Opening Day.

Atlanta reassigned Tromp to minor-league camp Sunday.

With Tromp sent out, Atlanta is left with Jonah Heim, Jair Camargo and Sandy Leon as its backup options at catcher behind Drake Baldwin in big-league camp while Sean Murphy (hip) remains out. Tromp is expected to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett after he spent most of the past season in the minors.

Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was attempting to earn a roster spot as a utility player, but he instead ends up being one of the first cuts of camp. Alvarez played 58 big-league games last season and had a .234/.296/.330 slash line with two home runs in 208 plate appearances.

Atlanta reassigned Guerra to minor-league camp Sunday.

The 30-year-old righty reliever's removal from big-league camp comes as he's set to join Team Panama ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Guerra didn't make a strong case for a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen anyway after yielding five earned runs in 2.2 innings across three appearances in the Grapefruit League. He last appeared in the majors in 2023 and is likely to open the season in the Triple-A Gwinnett bullpen.