MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada confirmed Saturday that Whitley (knee) will start the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley suffered a bone bruise in his left knee March 8 but has since resumed throwing, hitting 95 mph off flat ground Saturday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Whitley doesn't seem to be in any discomfort while throwing and will utilize his time on the injured list to make up for lost reps, which bodes well for his chances of returning after a minimum-length stay on the shelf.

Bibee signed a five-year, $48 million contract extension with the Guardians on Saturday.

Bibee's new deal will buy out all three of his arbitration years and potentially two years beyond that if the Guardians elect to exercise their club option in 2030. The 26-year-old righty has been one of Cleveland's most reliable starters since reaching the big leagues, turning in a 3.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across his two MLB seasons. He's continued to look sharp in spring training, throwing nine shutout innings over his two starts, and he's set to take the mound for Cleveland on Thursday in what will be his first career Opening Day start.

McClanahan suffered a triceps injury during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

McClanahan was in visible pain after making a pitch in the third inning of Saturday's contest, immediately calling for a trainer to pull him from the game. The 27-year-old lefty will undergo imaging on his triceps Sunday, at which point we'll have a better idea of his chances to start the Rays' season opener Friday against the Rockies.

Thorpe (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery in the near future, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe was pulled from his appearance in a minor-league game Thursday due to elbow soreness -- one of multiple setbacks he's had since undergoing surgery in September to remove a bone spur. He's now set to go under the knife again, though this time around he'll be forced to miss the entire 2025 season and likely at least the early part of the 2026 campaign.

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Lynch on Saturday that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lynch turned in a 6.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 16 innings this spring while competing for a spot in Kansas City's rotation. However, the 28-year-old southpaw proved to be much more effective out of the bullpen last season, so the Royals will keep him around for Opening Day and presumably use him in a multi-inning role.

McClanahan was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox with an apparent arm injury, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

McClanahan immediately motioned to the Rays' dugout after making a pitch in the third inning and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. It's unknown exactly what he's dealing with at the moment, but the Rays will take a look at their Opening Day starter and should provide an update in the near future.

Berrios gave up one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out five.

A Kyle Schwarber solo shot in the fifth inning was the only real blemish on the right-hander's line. Berrios built up to 84 pitches (53 strikes), and he wraps up his spring with a 2.18 ERA and 18:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings. His next trip to the mound will come Opening Day against the Orioles.

Kikuchi tossed five innings against Colorado in a Cactus League contest Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi finished the exhibition slate in good form, and he was able to work up to 88 pitches. The southpaw got 13 whiffs among those offerings, including seven with his slider. Of note, Kikuchi threw only two sweepers Friday -- he's been tinkering with the pitch this spring as a potential addition to his arsenal. The veteran hurler's next time on the mound is slated for Opening Day against the White Sox.

Schmidt (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmidt said he felt good following his live BP session Thursday, but he simply doesn't have enough time to stretch out to a starter's workload. Assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he shouldn't require much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL.

Rodon hurled 4.2 scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League game against the Tigers on Friday, allowing three hits and issuing three walks while striking out five batters.

Rodon was a bit wild in the outing, as he threw just 45 of 77 pitches for strikes and handed out three free passes. However, he didn't give up any extra-base hits and got three of his five strikeouts on changeups. Rodon concluded the exhibition slate with a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over 10 innings. His next start is scheduled for Opening Day against Milwaukee.