MLB Player News

Neto was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox after being hit by a pitch, but he is OK, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old shortstop was plunked to lead off the bottom of the first inning, but it never seemed to be a serious issue as he remained in to run the bases and recorded a steal. Neto was then replaced by a pinch hitter in a precautionary move, which makes sense given that he recently returned from a wrist sprain that sidelined him for a couple days.

Trout had precautionary X-rays come back negative after being hit by a pitch during Friday's spring game against the White Sox, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The veteran outfielder was plunked in his first plate appearance and stayed in to run the bases, but he was then pulled from the game and sent for imaging. Trout avoided a fracture, so his availability for Opening Day next week shouldn't be affected by the injury.

The Rays optioned Malloy to minor-league camp Friday.

The Rays traded for Malloy in January, but the 26-year-old won't make the Opening Day roster. The former Tiger went 8-for-36 (.222) with two doubles, a stolen base and a 2:8 BB:K for the Rays during spring training.

Manoah has recently been managing a fingernail issue, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's pursuit of a rotation spot this spring has been anything but smooth, as he's posted a 9.39 ERA, 2.41 WHIP and 13:14 K:BB across 15.1 innings, and he's now contending with a finger issue. Even with those struggles, Manoah could still begin the season in the starting rotation with George Klassen reassigned to minor-league camp Friday while Grayson Rodriguez (arm) is banged up.

The Rays assigned Boyle to minor-league camp Friday.

Boyle had been in contention for a spot in the big-league bullpen, but he'll fall short of those aspirations. The 26-year-old allowed seven runs (four earned) with a 16:8 K:BB across 9.2 innings during spring training. Per Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Boyle will be stretched out to be a starter at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays optioned Palacios to minor-league camp Friday.

Palacios will fall short of making the Rays' Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old utility player went 3-for-19 with a double, seven strikeouts and four walks during spring training action.

Holliday (hand) took live batting practice Thursday with no issues and is doing so again Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 22-year-old continues working his way back from surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, which he underwent in mid-February. Holliday won't be ready to join Baltimore for Opening Day, but he could begin a rehab assignment at the start of the Triple-A season.

Johnson was informed Friday that he has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Johnson has been making a strong case to not only make the big-league roster but also be part of the Halos' rotation. While he'll be part of the roster, his exact role remains uncertain. He and Jack Kochanowicz, who will also make the Opening Day roster, had seemingly been competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, and that path could be clear with Alek Manoah struggling this spring and Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) battling injury.

The Guardians named Bibee as their starter for Opening Day against the Mariners on Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

It'll be the first Opening Day start for Bibee, who was scheduled to do so last season before being a late scratch due to an illness. The right-hander is coming off an up-and-down 2024 campaign during which he posted a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 162:54 K:BB across 182.1 regular-season innings. Now entering his age-27 campaign, Bibee will look to regain the form that resulted in a 3.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across his first two MLB seasons in 2023 and 2024.

Kochanowicz was informed Friday that he made the Angels' Opening Day roster in an unspecified role, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kochanowicz has been competing for a spot in the Halos' rotation, and while it's not a guarantee he'll be a starter, he's officially made the team. Still, there's a strong chance Kochanowicz is part of the rotation, given Alek Manoah's struggles this spring and an elbow issue for Grayson Rodriguez. Kochanowicz posted a 6.81 ERA across 111.0 innings for the Angels last season.