MLB Player News

The Athletics placed Basso (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Basso has been held out of action since early March due to a left shoulder strain. It's still unknown how far he is from a return to the mound, but he'll be out for at least the first couple weeks of the season. Whenever he is able to return, he'll likely be optioned out to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Leiter was hit in the top of the head by a flyball during a batting practice Thursday, but he remains on track to start Friday against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter was likely sent for testing after the mishap, but he quickly returned to the field and appears to be fine. The young right-hander earned a spot in the Rangers' rotation after posting a 3.48 ERA and 21:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings during Cactus League play.

Suarez (back) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez will throw off the bump for the first time since he developed lower-back stiffness following an intrasquad appearance in mid-March. The lefty will continue to build up as his health allows, with a return from the injured list before the end of April possible if all goes well. Taijuan Walker will hold down a spot in the Phillies rotation until Suarez is cleared to make his 2025 debut.

The Dodgers transferred Sheehan (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Noah Davis. Sheehan will be sidelined until around midseason as he continues his rehab from an internal brace procedure.

The Dodgers acquired Davis from the Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, selected his contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned him to Oklahoma City.

Davis exercised the upward mobility clause in his minor-league deal with the Red Sox and will now join the Dodgers' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old has a career 7.71 ERA over 17 appearances at the big-league level, but the Dodgers apparently see potential in the righty.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Schmidt (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the rotation "in the middle of the month," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmidt has appeared fully recovered from his rotator cuff tendinitis for a while and just needs to continue getting stretched out at this point. He will need to make a rehab start, but Schmidt seems to be tracking toward a season debut sometime during the Yankees' April 11-16 homestand.

The Mets placed Manaea (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Manaea injured his oblique in late February and began a throwing progression in mid-March. The Mets haven't provided an official timetable for his return, but he could be ready to make his season debut by late April.

The Guardians placed Means (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Cleveland will hold off on sending Means to the 60-day IL for now, though he isn't expected to be ready for MLB action until the final month of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. If the left-hander runs into any snags during his rehab program, Cleveland may opt to hold Means out for the entire season.

The Orioles designated Contreras for assignment Thursday.

Contreras was competing for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen as a multi-inning reliever but didn't distinguish himself this spring, yielding six earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out eight over eight frames during the Grapefruit League. Since he didn't have minor-league options remaining, the Orioles will risk losing him to waivers by designating him for assignment. Contreras has now been DFA'd on six separate occasions by five organizations since last May.

The Guardians placed Cecconi (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Per MLB.com, Cecconi has begun a throwing progression since being diagnosed with a mild left oblique strain just over a week ago. He's up to throwing from 120 feet on flat ground, so he could soon be ready to throw bullpen sessions. The Guardians intend to have Cecconi get stretched back out as a starter, so he'll likely be at least a few weeks away from coming off the IL.