MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said that De Los Santos (knee) is slated to pitch in a game Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Espada didn't specify whether De Los Santos will be pitching in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Pirates that day or in a minor-league game, but either way, it will be the first action of the spring for the 30-year-old righty. De Los Santos has been slowed by a right knee strain suffered at the beginning of camp, but he's since resumed facing hitters and is slated to take part in pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. He shouldn't require much of a ramp-up period and appears on track for Opening Day.

Lopez allowed no hits and a walk across four scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League win over the Royals. He struck out seven.

After allowing a leadoff walk to Nick Loftin, Lopez proceeded to retire every other batter he faced, striking out over half of them. He was brought along slowly to open the spring after he closed the 2025 season on the injured list due to an elbow strain, but the southpaw looked fully healthy Saturday. Lopez is expected to open 2026 with a spot in the big-league rotation, as the 28-year-old looks to build on a season in which he posted a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 113:37 K:BB across 21 appearances (17 starts) and 92.2 innings.

The Astros reassigned Willingham to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old right-hander made 19 appearances in the big leagues for Washington in 2023-24, but he spent all of 2025 in the minors as a member of the Atlanta organization, logging a 5.17 ERA in 55.2 innings across stops with four different affiliates. After being cut from the Astros' big-league camp, Willingham will likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Elder gave up one run on one hit and two walks over five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

The right-hander tossed 49 of 78 pitches for strikes against a Boston lineup that featured Ceddanne Rafaela as its only big-league regular. Elder looks just about ready for the start of the regular season, having posted a 12:5 K:BB and 4.72 ERA this spring over 13.1 innings, and he's locked into a rotation spot with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and Joey Wentz (knee) all on the shelf.

The Astros reassigned Cosgrove to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Cosgrove is expected to serve as organizational bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season after he was unable to secure a spot in the Astros' Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old lefty joined Houston on a minor-league deal over the winter after he spent time in the Padres and Cubs organizations in 2025 and made just two relief appearances at the big-league level.

The Marlins reassigned Brzykcy to minor-league camp Sunday.

A non-roster invitee for spring training after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in the offseason and later outrighted him, Brzykcy made a strong impression in the Grapefruit League, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing four hits and no walks. The right-hander has been less than stellar over parts of two seasons in the majors with Washington, however, with elevated home-run and walk rates. If he can carry over his performance from the spring and find success early on at Triple-A, Brzykcy may not have to wait long for a promotion to Miami.

The Marlins optioned Mack to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is one of Miami's top prospects, but he struggled to a .472 OPS across nine spring games and will open the campaign at Triple-A. Mack spent most of 2025 with Jacksonville and totaled 18 home runs and seven steals with a .786 OPS in 98 contests.

Bergert allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over 3.2 innings in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the Athletics. He struck out four.

Bergert struggled to find a rhythm, allowing runs in each of his four frames and serving up four homers, three of them by Shea Langeliers. Prior to Saturday's outing, the right-hander had allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings in his first three spring appearances. While this outing wasn't stellar, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports that the Royals are considering deploying a six-man rotation to open the regular season, which increases Bergert's chances of being part of the starting staff, with Stephen Kolek (oblique) and Bailey Falter also in the mix.

The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

After failing to capture a starting or long-relief role with the Marlins, Gusto appears set to begin the season in the rotation at Jacksonville. The right-hander came over from Houston in a deadline deal last July and proceeded to go 0-3 with a 9.77 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 15.2 innings in his three starts with Miami.

India (groin) will receive a few days off as a precautionary measure, MLB.com reports.

India left Friday's Cactus League game due to right groin tightness but reportedly felt fine Saturday. He's been cleared for activity, though the Royals will err on the side of caution and hold the second baseman out of Sunday's contest before an off day Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. This development helps ease concerns about India's availability for Opening Day, as the 29-year-old will look to carry a strong spring at the plate into a bounce-back 2026 campaign after a lackluster 2025 in which he slashed .233/.323/.346 with 29 doubles, nine home runs and 45 RBI across 136 games.