MLB Player News

Berroa (elbow) needs Tommy John surgery, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Berroa had been diagnosed with a right elbow strain following a Cactus League appearance in late February, but subsequent testing has revealed more extensive damage. He will be sidelined for the duration of the 2025 campaign and could get a late start to next season, as well. Prior to the injury, Berroa had a shot to serve in a high-leverage relief role for the White Sox.

Matzek may not be ready for Opening Day after being diagnosed with an oblique injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The severity of the issue isn't clear, but any sort of oblique strain this close to the start of the season likely means Matzek won't be ready for the opener. The southpaw is in camp as a non-roster invitee but likely would have made the initial 26-man roster if he was healthy. Instead, Matzek will aim for a mid-season debut with the Yankees.

Roberts was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Roberts finished last season in the majors but is set to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A. The right-hander had a 3.71 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings for the Cubs last year.

The Cubs optioned Little (lat) to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Little never made an appearance this spring, as the Cubs have brought him along slowly after he ended last season on the injured list with a left lat strain. It's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games. The big southpaw posted a 3.46 ERA and 28:18 K:BB across 26 relief innings for Chicago in 2024.

Diaz (hamstring) is expected to make his Cactus League debut this weekend after looking good in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Diaz tweaked his hamstring during a fielding drill in late February, but it appears he's put the injury behind him. The 28-year-old is expected to open the 2025 season as the Reds' closer and as a reliever still has enough time to ramp up before Opening Day.

Pallante could be competing for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Pallante entered camp as a favorite for a starting role, but with Michael McGreevy pitching well and the team leaning toward using Steven Matz in the rotation, it appears there's a chance Pallante could get squeezed out. That still seems highly unlikely, given that the 26-year-old was one of the team's best starters for a large chunk of last season. Pallante's velocity has been down, but the Cardinals don't seem concerned at this stage of the spring.

Whitlock will make his spring debut Friday against the Marlins, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Whitlock was on a strict throwing schedule this spring as he recovered from an internal brace procedure, which included planned one-week downtimes which the team described as "de-load" weeks. He'll pitch Friday in relief of starter Walker Buehler. Red Sox manager Alex Cora sees Whitlock has a high-leverage, multi-inning weapon that can deployed in the late innings. Save opportunities are not out of the question, but the Red Sox have Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten pegged for closing duties.

Atlanta optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Gonzalez permitted two runs with a 4:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings this spring. The 25-year-old reliever posted a 38.8 percent strikeout rate in the minors last season and has a good shot to make his major-league debut in 2025.

Atlanta optioned Munoz to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Munoz allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk across 2.2 innings during Grapefruit League play and will now finish out the spring in minor-league camp. The right-hander was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft after posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB at Double-A Mississippi last year.

Crochet allowed two hits and one walk while striking out seven over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Rays.

Crochet cruised through his third Grapefruit League start and finished it in style by striking out the side in his third and final inning. The left-hander has not allowed a run over 6.1 spring innings while striking out 14.