MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gusto yielded just one run and struck out six over 6.2 innings during Grapefruit League play, although he also issued five walks. Slated to turn 26 next week, Gusto has yet to pitch in a major-league game, but he's on the 40-man roster and could be one of the first names the Astros call upon when they need a starter.

Gibson has reached 60 pitches in simulated games against college hitters and still plans to pitch in the majors this season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

There's been little free-agent buzz around Gibson since the Cardinals elected to decline his $12 million club option for 2025 back in October. He's 37 but has made 30-plus starts each of the last three seasons while producing a 4.68 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Gibson appears to be doing what he can to keep his arm ready, and he should eventually catch on with a club in need of a veteran innings-eater.

The White Sox announced Friday that Carela will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

The 23-year-old was added to the 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he'll miss the entirety of 2025 due to the surgery. Carela is likely to be sidelined until midseason 2026.

The Diamondbacks optioned Elbis to Double-A Amarillo on Friday.

The 22-year-old was in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he was never a likely bet to actually make the Opening Day roster. Elbis had a 2.69 ERA in 16 starts at High-A Hillsboro last year before being promoted to Amarillo, where he had a 4.57 ERA across 45.1 innings.

Steele (illness) is feeling better and will get some throwing in at the Cubs' spring training complex Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele had been scheduled to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals but had to stay home while battling the flu. The lefty is expected to get in one more appearance, likely in a simulated game, before making his first start of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

The White Sox optioned Carela to Double-A Birmingham on Friday.

Carela made just one Cactus League appearance, tossing a scoreless inning. The 23-year-old was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason after reaching Double-A for the first time in 2024.

Soroka gave up one run on four hits over four innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander built up to 61 pitches (37 strikes) as he faced a number of St. Louis regulars, including Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn. Injuries looked like they had completely derailed Soroka's career, but he found some success last season in the bullpen for the White Sox, and he's now in camp with the Nats looking to prove he still has something to offer as a starter. So far so good for Soroka, who's delivered a 9:1 K:BB through his first seven spring innings.

Ashby (oblique) will be shut down for about two weeks before resuming a throwing program, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby said Friday that the second opinion on his right oblique strain was more favorable than the first, but he will still need some down time and will not be ready for Opening Day. The left-hander anticipates being stretched back out as a starting pitcher, but it's unclear what his role will be with the Brewers once he's healthy.

Woodruff (shoulder) is tentatively scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff has been throwing live batting practice sessions and is nearly ready to test things out in a game setting. The Brewers have the veteran right-hander on a schedule of pitching every six days as he works his way back from right shoulder surgery. Woodruff has already been ruled out for Opening Day and it's not clear when he might be ready for his season debut, but reports on him this spring have been positive.

Weathers walked three and struck out three over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

In his second outing of the spring, Weathers faced a potential Opening Day lineup for the Marlins' NL East rivals and overcame a very bumpy start to his day. Three free passes and a wild pitch loaded the bases before the left-hander could record an out, but none of the runners made it home and Weathers regained his focus before coming back out for the second inning. Inconsistent control was a hallmark of his minor-league career, and through 4.1 spring frames he's posted a 7:4 K:BB, but he also has yet to allow a hit or a run. If Weathers can stay healthy in 2025 -- a finger injury limited him to 16 starts last season -- he has the talent to break out after posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB over 86.2 regular-season innings last season.