MLB Player News

Gonzalez (back) has struck out two across two scoreless innings in two appearances at Triple-A Charlotte to begin the 2026 season.

Gonzalez dealt with a back injury during spring training, but he's managed to return to health for the start of the 2026 campaign. He's yet to allow a baserunner through two appearances and should be in the running for a promotion at some point this year if he continues to deal in the minors.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Monday that Cole (elbow) will toss a one-inning live batting practice in "a couple of days," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole continues to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in March of 2025. He tossed 2.2 innings in Grapefruit League action before opening the season on the 15-day IL, and the hope is that the veteran right-hander will return to the Yankees' rotation by the end of May. Cole will need to embark on a rehab assignment before making his return to the majors.

Rodon (elbow) threw a 50-pitch batting practice session Sunday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Rodon appears to be ramping up well as he continues his rehab from surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. The Yankees have yet to disclose a concrete timetable for his return, but he'll presumably need to make a few rehab appearances before being activated for his 2026 debut.

Bibee (shoulder) will start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bibee gave the Guardians a scare after he exited his first start of the campaign Thursday against Seattle with right shoulder inflammation, but the injury turned out to be a minor setback. The 27-year-old made it through a 26-pitch side session Saturday without issue, and the club has officially given him the green light to toe the rubber for Tuesday's matchup.

The Guardians selected Allard's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Allard inked a minor-league deal with the Guardians in early February and opened the regular season in Triple-A, but the 28-year-old southpaw will get an early call up to the majors. He appeared in 33 regular-season games for the Guardians (two starts) in 2025 and postd a 2.63 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, three holds and a 42:14 K:BB across 65 innings. To make room on the roster for Allard, Cleveland optioned Colin Holderman to Columbus and designated Doug Nikhazy for assignment.

Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

It will mark the first time Bieber will throw off a mound this season, as the right-hander had been limited to flat-ground work during spring training. Bieber obviously has several more hurdles to clear before he's making starts for the Blue Jays, as he needs to build his arm up and will likely require multiple rehab starts. There's a chance Bieber will be ready to pitch for Toronto sometime in May.

Yesavage (shoulder) will throw a simulated game Friday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Yesavage will throw 45 pitches in the simulated game, the latest step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. After not appearing in any spring training games, Yesavage is still building his arm up. He'll likely need multiple starts on a rehab assignment before he's ready to join the Blue Jays' rotation.

The Astros optioned Roa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston is replacing Roa in the bullpen with Cody Bolton, who had his contract selected from Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Roa pitched in two games out of the Astros' bullpen in the opening series against the Angels and allowed one run on one hit and two walks across 1.1 innings. He struck out a pair.

Cease has more confidence in his changeup this season and seems committed to broadening his arsenal, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander has been essentially a two-pitch pitcher during his big-league career, throwing his two-seam fastball and slider over 40 percent of the time last season with the Padres, but in his first outing for the Blue Jays on Saturday, neither pitch reached that mark while his knuckle curve, two-seamer, changeup and sweeper all sat with usage rates between 7.8 percent and 10.0 percent. The changeup was especially impressive, as he's firmed it up a bit to give it more velocity and arm-side run but less vertical drop. The result was eight whiffs on eight changeups that averaged 83.7 mph, as batters sold out to try and meet his usual high-90s heat. "I'm going to keep fine-tuning it," Cease said. "Trying to find a little more consistency with command, but I like where it's at." With batters having more to think about than ever before when facing Cease, he struck out 12 batters in 5.1 innings -- setting a franchise record for Ks in a Blue Jays debut in the process.

Cecconi said Sunday that he woke up feeling under the weather, which resulted in diminished velocity, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Sunday's results were discouraging after Cecconi's preseason work suggested a pitcher about to take the next level. "I gave everything I had. Just all my velocities were down," Cecconi said. "Still, I think I executed pretty well. I think they got a few runs on some executed pitches and a few that weren't." His four-seamer averaged 92.3 mph, down two ticks from 94.3 it registered in 2025. In addition to reduced velocity, the right-hander also walked three and hit two batters. Cecconi will look to rebound this coming weekend against the Cubs.