MLB Player News

Garcia served up a game-tying solo home run over one inning in Monday's exhibition game against the Royals. He struck out one.

After Garcia coughed up the lead in the top of the seventh, the Rangers re-took the advantage in the bottom of the frame. Manager Bruce Bochy then turned to Chris Martin in the eighth inning and Luke Jackson in the ninth to close out a three-run win. After the game, Bochy said it's "pretty close" to how he plans to deploy his late-inning relievers, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. Bochy did add that the roles are not yet completely defined, so it's possible the order of the three relievers could change.

Martin struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning Monday as the Rangers topped the Royals in exhibition play.

After Robert Garcia pitched the seventh inning, Martin handled the eighth and Luke Jackson closed things out in the ninth. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said it was "pretty close" to how he plans to use his late-inning mix this season, although he added that the roles are not yet completely defined, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. Martin has been viewed as the top candidate to close for the Rangers, but Bochy might be considering him in more of a setup role. It's a situation that still lacks clarity as we close in on Opening Day.

Fitts allowed an unearned run on three hits while striking out five over six innings in Monday's exhibition game in Mexico.

Fitts got one final spring appearance ahead of what is expected to be a spot in Boston's rotation to start the regular season. Injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) created openings, and Fitts appears to have locked down the fourth spot in the rotation. Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell are the finalists to open the season in the No. 5 spot. Fitts compiled a 2.45 ERA and 14:6 K:BB while allowing 13 hits over 14.2 spring innings. If all goes as planned for Bello and Giolito, Fitts' stay in the rotation will last between two and three starts.

Jackson struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning to notch a save in Monday's exhibition game versus the Royals.

It was Robert Garcia in the seventh inning and Chris Martin in the eighth inning before Rangers manager Bruce Bochy handed things off to Jackson, who closed out a three-run victory. After the contest, Bochy noted that how he lined up the bullpen is "pretty close" to how he plans to deploy them in the regular season, Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV reports. The skipper added that the roles are not yet completely defined, so there's still some murkiness with this situation. Martin and Garcia had been viewed as the top two candidates to close for the Rangers, but Jackson now appears to be firmly in the mix and perhaps the favorite for saves.

Double-A Montgomery placed Curet on its 60-day injured list Saturday due to an unspecified injury.

Curet is heading into his second season as a member of the Rays' 40-man roster, but he's still a long way off from reaching the majors. He's made just five starts above the High-A level, and he looks to be at least a couple months away from making his 2025 debut after he apparently got injured during spring training. The 22-year-old righty found immediate success with Montgomery last season following his promotion from High-A Bowling Green, turning in a 1.75 ERA while striking out 37 batters over 25.2 innings.

Newcomb will throw five innings in a minor-league game Tuesday at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

While the Red Sox traveled to Mexico for a pair of exhibition games against teams from that country, Newcomb remained behind in Florida to make a final tune-up before a potential gig in Boston's rotation. His chances of landing a spot improved greatly over the weekend when the Red Sox assigned Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester. Cooper Criswell, who pitched two innings Sunday, is also still around. Whichever starter wins the final spot isn't expected to be part of the rotation for long, as both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are due back at some point in April. Red Sox manager Alex Cora did not say Newcomb is a lock for the roster, but the the lefty put himself in position with a strong spring. In 14.1 innings over five appearances, the 31-year-old Massachusetts native posted a 0.63 ERA (one earned run) with nine hits allowed and a 13:3 K:BB.

Taveras started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a stolen base in Monday's exhibition game against Kansas City.

One of the questions throughout the Rangers' camp and Cactus League games was which of Taveras or Evan Carter would be the club's starting center fielder come Opening Day. While manager Bruce Bochy hasn't confirmed it officially, having Taveras start Monday is a signal that he'll open the season as part of the starting nine. The 26-year-old switch-hitting outfielder is batting just .204 (10-for-49) this spring, but Taveras swatted four homers along with a double and four stolen bases over 19 spring games.

Mahle will start the second game of the regular season Friday against the Red Sox, Lawrence Dow of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Mahle had his final spring outing Monday against the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking two over three innings. Texas manager Bruce Bochy explained how the first series of the season lines up for the rotation: Nathan Eovaldi will start Opening Day, followed by Mahle on Friday, then Jacob deGrom will get the fourth spot. Yet-to-be-named pitchers will fill the third and fifth spots of the rotation.

Corbin (personal) threw a 75-pitch simulated game at Arlington Field on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Corbin's had a busy seven days. He signed with the Rangers last Tuesday but didn't join the team until Sunday, after the birth of his third child. The left-hander is not sure when he would be ready to compete in game action. His signing came about after the Rangers lost two starters -- Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) -- to injury. Rookie hurlers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are poised to enter the rotation for now, but Corbin could be an option at some point in April. Given that three of Texas' projected starters are coming off Tommy John elbow surgery and will likely need innings management, Corbin's addition is prudent.

Trout went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 5-4 exhibition win against the Dodgers.

Trout bashed a ball to left-center field in the sixth inning for his third homer of the spring. The veteran outfielder has hit the ball well during the exhibition slate, slashing .297/.469/.595 over 49 plate appearances. Most importantly, Trout appears healthy after playing in only 29 games last season due to a knee injury. He's moving to right field this season in an attempt to help him avoid getting hurt, and if Trout does manage to stay relatively injury-free this year, he could be a steal for fantasy managers who have invested in him despite the fact he has logged over 100 games just once since 2019.