MLB Player News

Pepiot allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four across four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Pepiot made only his second spring start, though he's already stretched out to 72 pitches. He hasn't been particularly sharp in his pair of outings, allowing three earned runs across six innings while maintaining a 6:3 K:BB. The Rays have seven potential starters for their rotation, though Pepiot figures to be locked into a starting role throughout the campaign.

The Athletics optioned Lopez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The A's acquired Lopez this winter as part of a trade with the Rays, and in his first spring with his new team, the 27-year-old southpaw racked up four strikeouts in three shutout frames. However, he owns a 4.76 ERA across 22.2 career MLB innings, so the Athletics will opt to give him a few more looks in the minors before admitting him into their big-league staff.

Sabrowki (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday.

Sabrowski was shut down from throwing for a few days after receiving an injection Friday to treat inflammation in his elbow. He's now been given the green light to start up a throwing program, though it's still unclear how far away he is from pitching in a game.

Walters (shoulder) threw live batting practice Wednesday.

Walters has been out with shoulder stiffness since late February, but he seems to be making progress in his recovery after throwing a bullpen session Sunday and now progressing to live hitters. That being said, it remains unclear if he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Stephenson (elbow) said Wednesday that he's throwing up to 92 miles per hour during his bullpen sessions, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson is already on the 60-day injured list while he completes his recovery from a UCL reconstruction procedure involving an internal brace, which he underwent May 1, 2024. The right-hander said he'll begin incorporating breaking balls into his bullpen sessions next week, and if all continues to go well in his throwing progression, he'll likely start facing hitters in April. Based on where he currently stands in his rehab program, Stephenson could be a candidate to return from the IL around when he's first eligible in late May.

The Mariners reassigned Lawrence to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Lawrence re-signed with Seattle in November on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league spring training, but the 37-year-old righty never appeared especially likely to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He's previously seen big-league action in parts of four seasons from 2017 through 2023, logging a lifetime 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 124 innings.

The Mariners reassigned Kitchen to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Kitchen made four relief appearances with Miami during the 2024 season before being claimed off waivers by Seattle in September. He finished the season on the Mariners' 40-man roster before being outrighted in January, so he never seemed to be a likely candidate to claim a spot in Seattle's Opening Day bullpen. Kitchen is expected to work in relief at Triple-A Tacoma to begin the upcoming season.

Estevez (back) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been slowed in camp by lower-back tightness but has been throwing off a mound without issue for several days and is nearly ready to test himself in a game setting. The 32-year-old is expected to have enough time to get ready for Opening Day and projects to begin the season as the Royals' closer.

Long (hand) is scheduled to make an appearance out of the bullpen in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Long will be making just his third appearance of the spring and his first since March 3, when he was struck in the left hand by a line drive. The southpaw dealt with some residual swelling to his pitching hand as a result, but he was able to resume throwing a few days later. The 29-year-old remains firmly in the mix for a spot in Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen.

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to minor-league camp Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Curvelo received a major-league contract from the Rangers this winter even though he hasn't pitched above the Double-A level. He'll begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock after permitting five runs with a 6:3 K:BB across five frames this spring.