MLB Player News

Woodruff (shoulder) will face hitters Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It will mark Woodruff's first time facing hitters since he underwent surgery in October of 2023 to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. While Woodruff is considered a full participant at the beginning of spring training, he acknowledged that his buildup will be slower than other pitchers'. The expectation is that he will need a stint on the injured list to begin the season, but more clarity on the righty's timetable should be available later in spring training.

Alcantara (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session of spring training Wednesday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

The Marlins' willingness to let Alcantara face off against hitters in the first week of spring training suggests that he experienced no setbacks over the offseason while he completed the final stages of his recovery from his Oct. 6, 2023 Tommy John surgery. Miami could still elect to slow play Alcantara's integration into the Grapefruit League pitching schedule as a matter of caution, but the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner looks well on his way to being ready to go for Opening Day. Alcantara could struggle to immediately recapture his pre-surgery velocity and command, though the fact that his arm operation was more than 16 months ago should help his chances of regaining form more quickly than if he were attempting to return on a shorter recovery timeframe.

Brubaker (oblique) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Brubaker appears to be facing no restrictions to open spring training, suggesting that he's made a full recovery from his April 2023 Tommy John surgery, as well as the oblique strain he suffered in mid-July that ended up keeping him on the Yankees' 60-day injured list all season. Though the right-hander has worked almost exclusively as a starter throughout his career, a long-relief role may represent Brubaker's clearest path to a spot on the Yankees' Opening Day roster. Brubaker doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Yankees would have to designate him for assignment if he's unable to secure a roster spot coming out of spring training.

Gipson-Long (elbow/hip) is throwing bullpen sessions twice per week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long had Tommy John surgery last April and then hip surgery in July. His rehab from the procedures appears to be coming along well, but the right-hander is not expected to return until around midseason.

Flores was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in January to address right shoulder soreness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Flores is rehabbing daily but it's uncertain when he might be ready to throw again. He is in Tigers camp as a non-roster invitee and seems likely to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Cobb will be set back for about a month due to right hip inflammation, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cobb's hip began bothering him as he was building up his offseason throwing program. He's been given a platelet-rich plasma injection and will be limited to rehab for a while. The veteran righty has some history with hip issues, although it was his left hip that he had surgery on last offseason. With Cobb likely to miss at least the first month of the season, there's an open spot in the Tigers' rotation. Casey Mize, Matt Manning, Kenta Maeda, Ty Madden, Brant Hurter and Keider Montero could all be in the mix to fill in.

Stone (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Stone was already expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in October, so his move to the 60-day IL was an expected one. The transaction cleared a spot for Enrique Hernandez to join the 40-man roster after the Dodgers and Hernandez officially agreed on a one-year, $6.5 million contract Tuesday.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that Thorpe (elbow) has been playing catch and is slated to throw off a mound "shortly," Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe has had a pair of setbacks since he underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. However, while Getz acknowledged Thorpe is behind other pitchers in camp, he expects the righty "to be active throughout spring training." Thorpe should have a spot in Chicago's rotation if he's healthy, but more clarity on his Opening Day readiness should be available in the coming weeks.

Kershaw (toe/knee) agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers and is in camp Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. The veteran lefty will earn between $5 million and $10 million guaranteed on the deal, which is expected to contain multiple performance-related bonuses.

The 36-year-old declined his 2025 player option in November, but it's always been the expectation that he would remain in Los Angeles. Kershaw underwent surgery on both his left knee and left toe during the offseason and still has to receive a physical exam before the deal is finalized. He doesn't have an official return timeline but isn't expected to be in game-ready shape by Opening Day.

Lowder's throwing program is being limited due to right elbow soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

An MRI on Lowder's elbow showed no structural damage, which is certainly good news. However, any elbow-related issue is cause for concern. If healthy, Lowder will be competing for a spot in the Reds' rotation, but this injury could throw a wrench into that even if it's ultimately not serious. Slated to turn 23 in March, Lowder, posted a 1.17 ERA over six regular-season starts last season, although that came with a 22:14 K:BB across 30.2 innings.