MLB Player News

Brito has "backed off throwing" due to a sore right elbow, per MLB.com.

Brito began spring training competing for a spot in San Diego's rotation, but manager Mike Shildt announced in early March that the right-hander would be tabbed for a long-relief role. Now it's unlikely Brito will be ready for Opening Day, as he experienced diminished velocity and elbow soreness in his most recent spring outing, which took place back on March 4. If Brito begins the campaign on the injured list, Alek Jacob would have a clearer path to a roster spot as a long reliever.

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.

Bellozo has emerged as a leading candidate to open the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

A spot in Miami's rotation opened up once Ryan Weathers suffered a forearm strain Monday, and the reassignment of Janson Junk to minor-league camp Saturday puts Bellozo in a great position to make the Opening Day roster, even though he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville himself last week. The 25-year-old righty started 13 games for the Marlins last season, finishing the campaign with a 3.67 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. However, his 5.72 FIP indicates that his performance wasn't nearly as good as his base stats might suggest.

Soroka got tagged for six runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out three.

The 27-year-old righty won't head into the regular season with much momentum, but Soroka is still locked into a rotation spot for the Nationals. He wraps up his spring with a 7.47 ERA and 13:11 K:BB through 15.2 innings, and his breakout 2019 season with Atlanta is a long time, and multiple serious injuries, in Soroka's past.

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.

Thomas will be part of the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers snagged Thomas from St. Louis in the Rule 5 draft, and the 26-year-old lefty has certainly made the most of the opportunity, giving up just two runs (one earned) in 9.1 innings this spring, striking out nine batters and walking five. He'll likely take on a middle-relief role to begin his tenure with the Brewers and will need to remain in Milwaukee all season; otherwise, he'll need to be offered back to the Cardinals.

Holmes allowed two hits and three walks over 5.1 scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.

The Mets' Opening Day starter wrapped up his spring with a very impressive outing, albeit against a St. Louis lineup that had few big-league regulars in it, as he built up to 88 pitches (53 strikes). Holmes posted a 0.93 ERA and 23:8 K:BB through 19.1 Grapefruit League innings, and he looks ready to handle his conversion from the relief role he's filled for nearly his entire big-league career.

Quantrill struck out five over four perfect innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Facing most of Washington's Opening Day lineup, Quantrill was simply superb, striking out Dylan Crews twice and James Wood, Josh Bell and Jose Tena once each. While the veteran right-hander was signed in February to bolster the back of the Marlins' rotation, injuries to Ryan Weathers (forearm) and Edward Cabrera (finger) may require Quantrill to take the bump for the second game of the season, March 28 against the Pirates.

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.