MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) threw one inning without allowing a hit or a run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

McCullers took the mound for the first time since the 2022 World Series after working through several different arm injuries. He threw 13 pitches as a first step in what will likely remain a lengthy ramp up to return to big-league action. Nevertheless, it was a positive sign of his potential to make an impact with Houston in 2025.

Kirby (shoulder) hopes to begin playing catch in the next few days, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

After receiving an injection last week, Kirby has since resumed strengthening exercises but will remain in Arizona for three more weeks to continue his rehab. The Mariners shut Kirby down from throwing on March 7 due to right shoulder inflammation, and the star right-hander's timetable for a return remains up in the air a bit. With Kirby's throwing program still yet to begin, it sounds like fantasy managers shouldn't plan on having him available until mid-April at the earliest. "I'm hoping to get back up there by the middle of April," Kirby said.

Povich picked up the win after throwing five hitless innings with three walks in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

Battling with Albert Suarez for Baltimore's final rotation spot in Grayson Rodriguez's (elbow) stead, Povich dazzled against Toronto's regular lineup to stake his claim to open the season as a starter. Although the 24-year-old left-hander stumbled with five runs allowed in last Friday's Grapefruit League start, Povich carries a 3.07 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 15 strikeouts over 14.2 innings this spring, including three scoreless outings. Povich acknowledged after Tuesday's game that it could have been his last spring appearance, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, but the aforementioned Suarez is scheduled to start Friday's exhibition contest against the Tigers for his final audition before the Orioles decide on their fifth starter.

Cecconi was diagnosed with a mild left oblique strain Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi's injury will put an early end to his spring after just three appearances, during which he allowed 11 runs (10 earned) over 5.1 innings. The right-hander has already begun rehab, though he hasn't yet been cleared for throwing and will begin the season on the injured list. Once he receives the green light to start a throwing program, a clearer return timeline may emerge.

Corbin will not join the Rangers in Arizona for the final few days of camp as he awaits the imminent birth of his child, but he will meet the team in Texas, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Corbin inked a one-year deal with Texas on Tuesday, but his first game action with the new club will have to wait. The Rangers wrap up their Cactus League schedule March 22 before heading home to Arlington to play two exhibition games against the Royals on March 24 and 25.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that he's hopeful Scherzer (thumb) can pitch in a game this weekend, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer is dealing with a nagging right thumb issue that, according to Schneider, felt "probably a little bit better than I think he expected" Tuesday. The pitcher has said the injury begins to flare up on him around 50 pitches, but he's trying to get a better handle on it while working with a hand specialist, doctors and trainers. Scherzer is considered day-to-day.

The Rangers placed Gray (wrist) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Patrick Corbin, who was inked to a one-year contract Tuesday. Gray now won't be eligible to make his season debut until late May as he recovers from a fractured right wrist.

Corbin agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.

The rumor mill was pretty quiet on Corbin throughout the offseason, but he secured a big-league deal with Texas, as Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) are facing extended absences. Corbin has rated as the worst regular starting pitcher in baseball over the past four years and finished the 2024 campaign with a 5.62 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 139:54 K:BB across 174.2 innings. The left-hander brings some veteran stability to a depleted rotation with at least 31 starts in each of those four seasons, but he isn't likely to be fantasy relevant given his recent track record.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Schmidt (shoulder) is slated to throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The Yankees had left open the possibility that Schmidt would start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, but the team has opted to have him throw in a more controlled setting instead. Schmidt should be able to get in a start after that, whether it's in Grapefruit League play or in a minor-league game. The hope is that Schmidt will be ready for his season debut April 3 versus the Diamondbacks, but Boone said it's not a guarantee.

Rodriguez (elbow) began his throwing program by playing catch from 75 feet Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been shut down from throwing for nearly two weeks, so his buildup is likely to be slow and steady for the time being. Rodriguez doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss the first month of the season.