MLB Player News

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.

McDermott (lat) threw a light bullpen session Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

McDermott began a throwing progression two weeks ago and continues to be built back up slowly as he comes back from a mild lat/teres strain. He will not be ready in time for Opening Day and is likely to join the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk once he's physically able.

Garcia (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia has been slow-played in the Astros' camp after he encountered multiple setbacks last season while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. At last check, he was still working on regaining some zip on his fastball, and it's not clear where his velocity currently stands. When Garcia might be able to appear in games is a bit of a mystery, but he's getting closer.

The Twins reassigned Ynoa to minor-league camp Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ynoa made 31 appearances (24 starts) in the majors for Atlanta from 2019 through 2022, but he hasn't seen big-league action since while missing extensive time due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old righty linked up with the Twins on a minor-league deal in December and has enjoyed good health in the spring, but his mediocre numbers in the Grapefruit League (5.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings) prevented him from making a serious run at an Opening Day roster spot. Ynoa worked one inning or less in each of his five spring appearances, perhaps signaling that the Twins intend to deploy him out of the bullpen at Triple-A St. Paul after he had mostly been used as a starter during his time in the Atlanta organization.

The Twins reassigned McCaughan to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

McCaughan made 12 appearances (five starts) in the big leagues between stops with the Guardians and Marlins in 2024, logging a 6.21 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 42 innings. He joined the Twins on a minor-league deal in December and never made much of a run at an Opening Day roster spot while the Minnesota pitching staff has enjoyed relatively sound health this spring. McCaughan is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul, where he could be deployed in the rotation or in long relief.

The Nationals returned Reifert to the Rays on Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

A Rule 5 selection by the Nationals in December, Reifert flashed his swing-and-miss slider this spring in striking out nine batters over 6.1 innings. However, he also issued 12 walks and yielded 12 runs (11 earned) to earn a trip back to his previous organization. Reifert should begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham.

Dunning's "stock only seems to continue slipping" and he could begin the season in the minors, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Given the expected makeup of their Opening Day rotation, the Rangers have a big need for relievers capable of throwing multiple innings. It's a quality Dunning can provide, but it sounds like he might be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, anyway. Dunning posted a 5.31 ERA over 15 starts and 11 relief appearances for Texas last season and has minor-league options remaining.

The Tigers announced Tuesday that Urquidy (elbow) has been cleared to play catch up to 105 feet three times a week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Urquidy underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career back in June, so he'll have several more checkpoints to reach in the recovery process before he's cleared to make his Tigers debut, perhaps at some point in the second half of the season. Detroit signed Urquidy earlier this month on a one-year, $1 million deal that includes a $4 million team option for 2026.

Bloss could be an option as the Blue Jays' No. 5 starter if Max Scherzer (thumb) isn't ready for the start of the season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Yariel Rodriguez is the more likely candidate to fill in, but he's struggled this spring, serving up four homers and walking six batters over 9.2 innings with 11 strikeouts. Bloss' numbers aren't any better -- he's got a 6:6 K:BB and has been taken deep three times in eight Grapefruit League innings -- but per Matheson, he has looked sharper in his recent outings. Eric Lauer would be another candidate for a spot start or two early in the season if Scherzer's season debut is delayed. The Jays won't need a fifth starter until March 31.

Rodriguez could begin the season in the rotation if Max Scherzer (thumb) isn't ready to make his first start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays will need a fifth starter March 31, giving Scherzer little time to recover and get fully stretched out. Rodriguez has worked 9.2 innings in Grapefruit League action this spring, striking out 11 batters but also walking seven and serving up four homers. If Toronto decides he's better suited for a long-relief role, or Scherzer's thumb issue is deemed to be minor and he's only expected to miss one or two turns through the rotation, Jake Bloss or Eric Lauer might be called upon instead.