MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said that McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The upcoming live BP session represents the final hurdle McCullers will need to clear before taking the mound for what would be his first game action since the 2022 World Series. Now 31 years old and no longer an intriguing prospect, the right-hander missed the last two seasons while recovering from June 2023 surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon and remove a bone spur from his right forearm. He had been expected to return to action at some point in 2024, but those plans were tabled after he suffered a setback in his throwing program last summer. McCullers resumed throwing off a mound over the winter and seems to have steered clear of any setbacks since then, leaving the Astros optimistic he'll be able to contribute this season. While he remains on track to open the season on the injured list, the fact that he's on the cusp of pitching in spring games suggests that his lengthy stint on the shelf could finally end early in 2025.

Ortiz allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Padres.

Ortiz struggled with his command during his third Cactus League start. He walked two and allowed four runs in the first inning before being pulled, returning in the second via the re-entry rule to retire six of the final seven batters he faced. Ortiz's spring ERA jumped to 14.14 over seven innings, but as the Guardians' major offseason pitching acquisition, the right-hander should be locked into a spot in the rotation.

Rodriguez was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation Sunday and will be shut down from throwing for 7-to-10 days after receiving a cortisone injection, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old still doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage, but the elbow inflammation will shut him down for at least the next week. Manager Brandon Hyde already announced Friday that Rodriguez would be unavailable for Opening Day, but it remains to be seen just how much time he'll miss to begin the season.

The Tigers optioned Manning to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Manning was on the outside looking in for a rotation spot after logging a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over his five starts in the big leagues and a 4.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB in 69.1 innings at Triple-A last season. He'll begin the 2025 season back in Toledo's rotation and will be on the short list for a call-up whenever the Tigers require a spot starter.

Gallen allowed one run on three walks while striking out three over two hitless innings in Saturday's split-squad start against the Reds.

The negatives are obviously the walks, but Gallen told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that he had success with the curveball in his third Cactus League start. The right-hander threw 52 pitches (24 strikes) as he builds up ahead of Opening Day.

Montgomery pitched one-third of an inning in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Saturday, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks.

It was Montgomery's spring training debut after he dealt with a strained left index finger early on in camp. The left-hander hit his first batter and followed up by allowing a two-run home run to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He then walked the next two and then got Matt McLain to fly out before allowing an RBI single to Elly De La Cruz. He was pulled after 28 pitches. Montgomery is in a competition with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the last rotation spot.

Morton threw three scoreless innings against the Rays in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, striking out four batters.

Morton struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting down Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Curtis Mead in order on 14 pitches. He got through the next two innings on 13 total pitches. Morton's fastball was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph, and the 41-year-old has yet to allow a run through six innings of work this spring. With Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) already ruled out for Opening Day, the offseason signing of Morton is even more significant.

Darvish pitched 2.2 innings in a Cactus League contest against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Darvish allowed a double and issued a walk in the first frame but emerged unscathed on the scoreboard. He breezed through a 1-2-3 second inning but struggled in the third, yielding three singles and hitting a batter with a pitch to allow two runs to score before being lifted with two outs. Despite Darvish's unimpressive results, the Padres were likely pleased with his outing, as he tossed 57 pitches, induced seven whiffs and averaged 94.3 mph on his fastball -- up from the 93.9 mph he averaged last year -- in his first game action of the exhibition slate. The veteran right-hander is slated to work as San Diego's No. 3 starter this season.

Glasnow pitched three innings in a Cactus League contest against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

Glasnow pushed his pitched count up to 53 pitches (33 strikes) in the outing while averaging 96.4 mph with his fastball. The only run he allowed came on a solo homer by Miguel Vargas in the second inning. Through three Cactus League starts, Glasnow has given up three runs on six hits while posting a 10:1 K:BB over six innings.

Gilbert gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, striking out three in 1.2 innings.

Gilbert served up two home runs, one off the bat of Pete Crow-Armstrong and another to Miguel Amaya in the second inning. In three Cactus League starts, Gilbert holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with eight punchouts over 5.1 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander received the first All-Star nod of his career and led MLB in WHIP (0.89), innings pitched (208.2) and starts (33) in the 2024 regular season, and Gilbert's spot atop Seattle's rotation should carry even more importance while George Kirby (shoulder) is shut down from throwing.