MLB Player News

Ullola was removed from Friday's Spring Breakout game appearance versus the Nationals due to right shoulder discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Any type of shoulder injury is worrisome, but it's unclear at this point how much time Ullola might miss. The 22-year-old finished last season at Triple-A Sugar Land and, once healthy, will head back there to begin the 2025 campaign.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Rodriguez (elbow) should begin a throwing progression early next week, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hyde described Rodriguez's progression as a "restart," which means "it's going to take a while." How long exactly it will take isn't clear, but it would seem to be a safe bet that Rodriguez will miss at least the first month or so of the season. The right-hander was given a cortisone injection earlier this week to combat elbow inflammation.

Manager Aaron Boone announced Friday that Rodon will start Opening Day against the Brewers on March 27, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The left-hander will step in as the Yankees' Opening Day starter with Gerrit Cole (elbow) lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Rodon struggled during his first year in the Bronx during 2023 with a 6.85 ERA in 14 regular-season starts, but he rebounded last season and finished with a 3.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195:57 K:BB across 175 regular-season innings.

Wright (shoulder) hopes to progress to throwing a live batting practice session next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright is coming off a lost 2024 season due to shoulder surgery and had a minor early-camp setback with a hamstring issue. The right-hander will need time to get built back up, so it's going to be a while before he's game-ready.

Manager Will Venable said Friday that Clevinger will be "near the top" of the White Sox's options for the ninth inning, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Venable indicated he may utilize multiple pitchers in the closer role, but naming Clevinger specifically could make him the early favorite for saves in Chicago. The veteran right-hander has recorded three strikeouts while not allowing a baserunner in his two spring appearances. Clevinger is set to work as a full-time reliever for the first time in his career after making just four starts for the White Sox last season while contending with neck and elbow injuries.

Manager Will Venable announced Friday that Burke will be in the White Sox's season-opening rotation, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made his MLB debut down the stretch last season and allowed just three earned runs with a 22:7 K:BB across 19 innings, and he'll retain that rotation spot for the start of 2025. Burke is one of the organization's top prospects, though his performance at Triple-A Charlotte last year was underwhelming, as he finished with a 4.62 ERA in 16 starts.

The Orioles named Eflin their Opening Day starter on Friday.

With Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) injured, Eflin made for a pretty clear choice to take the ball March 27 in Toronto. The veteran right-hander was acquired at the trade deadline last year and held a 2.60 ERA and 47:11 K:BB over 55.1 regular-season innings for the Orioles before adding four frames of one-run ball in a postseason start.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that McCullers (forearm) will make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander touched 94 mph during his most recent live batting practice session and felt fine physically, clearing the way for his spring debut. This will be the first time McCullers has pitched in a game since the 2022 World Series, as he's dealt with numerous arm issues since then. He will begin the year on the injured list but could be ready for a spot in the Astros' rotation relatively early on in the season.

Ullola was removed from Friday's Spring Breakout game appearance versus the Nationals with an apparent injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ullola was in his second inning of work when he was visited by a trainer following a strikeout, eventually walking off the mound. The Astros have yet to provide any concrete information about the right-hander's condition.

The White Sox optioned Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Shuster hasn't fared well this spring, getting touched up for nine runs on 15 hits and one walk over seven frames. The left-hander was used mostly as a reliever with the White Sox last season but could be stretched back out as a starter in Charlotte.