MLB Player News

Hamilton (calf) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The right-hander faced off against Austin Wells, Aaron Judge, Jasson Dominguez and Cody Bellinger in the live session. The 29-year-old reliever didn't make any appearances after injuring his calf in Game 3 of the Yankees' loss to the Guardians in the ALDS last fall, but his ability to face hitters early on during spring training suggests he's fully healthy.

Hader worked this offseason on limiting his movements before his windup in an effort to not tip his pitches, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston failed to make the ALCS for the first time in eight years, with Hader giving up a three-run double to Andy Ibanez as the Tigers were able to break open Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series and eliminate the Astros early. During the regular season, Hader logged a 3.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 105 strikeouts and 34 saves in 71 innings. In addition to trying to cut down on any pre-windup tells, Hader said he is working on making his changeup a bigger part of his arsenal, although that's something he's wanted to do for years, by his own admission, so it's too early to say this will actually be the year he can rely on anything besides his sinker and slider. Regardless of whether he has a more reliable third pitch, Hader should once again rank near the top of the majors in saves and strikeouts among relievers.

The Red Sox signed Moore to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The Red Sox were looking for some left-handed relief depth with Zach Penrod going down with an elbow injury. Moore is coming back from an injury of his own, having missed the final month of last season with a left forearm strain. However, the southpaw has been throwing this offseason without any apparent issues, per Bradford. Moore held a 5.03 ERA and 41:26 over 48.1 frames with the Angels in 2024, but he was very effective from 2022 to 2023 with a 2.20 ERA and 27.4 percent strikeout rate. If heathy, the 35-year-old should have a good shot to make Boston's Opening Day roster.

White, who missed most of the 2024 season with elbow issues, has been looking good early in camp, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

White logged only 7.1 innings last season across several minor-league levels before getting shut down. The righty then underwent hydrodissection in August for nerve issues. After a lengthy recovery, White is aiming to once again push for a bullpen role with the Tigers. He logged 40.2 innings for Detroit back in 2023 and posted a 5.09 ERA. While getting back to the majors would be a personal victory for White, he's unlikely to be anything more than a low-leverage option.

Garcia (forearm) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Garcia is slightly behind the Rangers' healthy relievers in camp while he contends with forearm nerve irritation, but he doesn't appear at much risk of missing out on a spot in the Opening Day roster, provided he steers clear of setbacks for the remainder of spring training. He likely won't be available for the Rangers' three Cactus League games over the weekend but could be ready to make his spring debut at some point next week.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said recently that Springs (elbow) had a "full, healthy offseason," and he does not expect the lefty's workload to be limited in 2025, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Springs threw only 16 innings in 2023 before needing Tommy John surgery and totaled 65 frames in 2024 before being shut down late in the year with left elbow fatigue. However, he was able to go through his normal offseason throwing program and will be nearly two full years removed from surgery on Opening Day. While Kotsay probably won't ride Springs too hard early in the season, he expects the southpaw to make "30-plus starts."

Hendriks was sitting at 93-94 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Hendriks was averaging less than 93 mph during his brief rehab assignment last season, so the velocity he's displaying early in spring training, while down considerably from his 97.6 mph average fastball speed during his last healthy season in 2022, seems fairly encouraging. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Hendriks' velocity is "trending up," per Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub, and he believes it will continue to tick up as Opening Day draws nearer. Hendriks is competing with Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten for Boston's closer job.

The Orioles signed Martinez to a minor-league contract Nov. 1 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Martinez, 30, has yet to pitch in the majors and spent the 2024 season in the Mexican League, where he held a 5.79 ERA and 15:9 K:BB over 18.2 innings. The righty reliever told Jake Rill of MLB.com that his fastball typically sits in the 100-102 mph range and he once hit 104 mph while pitching in Japan, so he could turn some heads this spring. In all likelihood, however, Martinez will open the season at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Guardians placed Hentges (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Hentges' move to the 60-day IL was fully expected, as the left-hander is in line to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery last September to repair the capsule and labrum in his throwing shoulder. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to right-hander Jakob Junis, whom Cleveland signed to a one-year deal Sunday.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Ort experienced left oblique soreness following a recent bullpen session and won't throw for a few days, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The injury will most likely push Ort's Grapefruit League debut back until at least next week, but Espada hasn't suggested that the Astros are worried about the right-handed reliever's availability for Opening Day. Ort covered 24.2 innings out of the Houston bullpen in 2024, logging a 2.55 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB while collecting three holds.