MLB Player News

Gausman topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball during his spring debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The 34-year-old right-hander walked one and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless, no-hit innings while tossing 23 of 38 pitches for strikes.

Gausman dealt with shoulder trouble last spring that prevented him from getting fully stretched out ahead of Opening Day, and he seemed to be playing catch-up all season with both his velocity and his command on his breaking pitches. Gausman finished with a 3.83 ERA and 21.4 percent strikeout rate -- his worst numbers in those categories since 2019 -- over 181 regular-season innings while averaging just 93.9 mph with his fastball. He spent this winter putting on extra muscle, and it showed in his first Grapefruit League action as he averaged 94.9 mph with his heater. If Gausman begins this season healthy, a bounce-back campaign could well be in the cards, as he produced a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate as recently as 2023.

Maldonado (elbow) is listed on San Francisco's roster for its March 15 Spring Breakout game versus Texas prospects, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Maldonado's inclusion on the roster suggests that he's likely back to full health again after completing his recovery from December 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old righty from Venezuela struck out 81 batters over 65 innings at Single-A San Jose in 2023, but he struggled with his control (13.9 BB%).

McFarlane (elbow) is listed on the Philadelphia roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Pittsburgh prospects, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty McFarlane appears to be heading into the 2025 season at full health after he didn't pitch in 2024 while recovering from his September 2023 Tommy John surgery. Before requiring surgery that season, McFarlane made 16 starts for Single-A Clearwater and turned in a 5.84 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 68:38 K:BB in 49.1 innings.

The Giants optioned McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

McDonald made his major-league debut during the final game of the regular-season last year, tossing three scoreless relief innings, but he always seemed likely to begin the 2025 campaign back at Sacramento. The 24-year-old will serve as rotation depth in the minors.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Teodo is a long shot to make the team's Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Teodo has turned heads this spring with his big stuff and his results, as he's fanned five batters over 3.1 scoreless frames. However, Bochy noted that the Rangers want Teodo to continue to develop as a starting pitcher, and there's currently not room for him in the big-league rotation. Teodo is already on the 40-man roster and could make his major-league debut at some point in 2025 if he pitches well at Triple-A Round Rock.

The White Sox reassigned Smith to minor-league camp Thursday.

The fifth overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith spun three scoreless frames and struck out four across two Cactus League outings. Smith has the potential to be a quick mover through the system, although the White Sox have little reason to rush him since they're unlikely to be competitive for a while.

Showalter (shoulder) is listed on St. Louis' roster for its March 14 Spring Breakout game against Miami prospects.

The 21-year-old right-hander looks to be healthy again after he made his final appearance for Single-A Palm Beach on Aug. 1 last season before being shut down with a shoulder injury. Prior to going down with the injury, Showalter turned in a 2.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB in 34.1 innings out of the Palm Beach bullpen.

The White Sox reassigned Schultz to minor-league camp Thursday.

Schultz never had a chance to make the Opening Day roster but made a nice impression during his two Cactus League appearances, tossing three scoreless frames. The top prospect is likely to begin the season back in the Double-A Binghamton rotation and could push for a major-league debut before the end of the year.

Knack has been building up as a starter this spring, though he could be slated for a long-relief role, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Knack has started two of the three Cactus League contests in which he's pitched, compiling a 6.23 ERA, 2.08 WHIP and 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings. The right-hander made 12 starts among 15 regular-season appearances with the big club as a rookie last year, posting a 3.65 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 69:18 K:BB over 69 innings. The team rebuilt its pitching staff during the offseason, however, and both Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are healthy after neither pitched in the majors while recovering from injuries in 2024. May, Gonsolin and Knack are all candidates to claim the final spot in Los Angeles' rotation, but Knack is likely third in the pecking order among the trio.

The White Sox optioned Gonzalez to Double-A Birmingham on Thursday.

Gonzalez served up a couple solo home runs in his lone inning during Cactus League play. Acquired from the Red Sox this offseason, the 22-year-old Gonzalez will be deployed in Birmingham's rotation in 2025 and will be looking to bounce back from a 2024 campaign which saw him post a 4.73 ERA and 92:46 K:BB over 83.2 innings at the Double-A level.