MLB Player News

Witt (forearm) will start at shortstop and bat second in Saturday's Cactus League game versus the Guardians.

Witt suffered a bruised left forearm after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday, but the soreness has now subsided, and he's been given the green light to resume playing in exhibition games. With a .276/.364/.586 slash line alongside two home runs, four RBI and five runs scored over 11 contests this spring, the 24-year-old looks poised to have another great season in 2025.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Urias has been out since Wednesday due to a sore hamstring, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Hyde added that Urias was able to go through a full workout Saturday, and he'll likely be back in the lineup within a few days. The 30-year-old infielder is likely to grab a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day bench after turning in an .882 OPS in spring training, and he could be asked to start more often at the beginning of the year if Gunnar Henderson (side) is unavailable.

Fitts allowed one hit and struck out four over 4.1 scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against Miami.

After a couple of Grapefruit League appearances as a reliever, Fitts' last two appearances were as a starter. It's become apparent that Fitts will be part of the rotation to start the regular season, as several projected rotation members are expected to open the season on the injured list. The right-handed Fitts has a 0.84 ERA over 10.2 spring innings.

Wallner went 3-for-5 with two home runs and battled leadoff again in Friday's spring training split-squad win over the Rays. He has five home runs with a .970 OPS this spring.

It looks like Wallner will be the leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching, as he's batted at the top of the lineup all spring. He'll likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. He could hit more than 30 home runs if he can improve against lefties and avoid prolonged slumps.

Paddack gave up two earned runs over four innings with six strikeouts and no walks in Friday's split-squad win over the Rays. He has a 5.59 ERA with nine strikeouts and no walks this spring.

Paddack left his previous start Saturday with a head contusion after a liner deflected off his glove, but he never entered the concussion protocol. He looked back to full strength and the injury doesn't look like an issue for Opening Day. While Paddack hasn't had the best numbers this spring, he's had decent strikeout totals and appears set to begin the season as the Twins' No. 4 starter.

Gilbert will start Opening Day, March 27 against the Athletics.

Gilbert hasn't been as effective this spring compared to his usual self, giving up four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings. However, he's been the epitome of consistency on the mound for Seattle, making at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons and finishing last season with career highs in innings (208.2) and strikeouts (220). He'll have a chance to ease into the new season by making his first start against an Athletics squad that finished 2024 with a .694 OPS (20th in MLB).

Festa gave up six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in Friday's loss to Baltimore. He has an 11.91 ERA and 11:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this spring.

Festa is competing with Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson and Zebby Matthews for the final two spots in the rotation. He's been performing the worst of the four in spring training and looks set to begin the season at Triple-A at this point.

Yoshida (shoulder) is still building out his throwing program and may not be ready to play in the outfield by the end of camp, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Yoshida has been limited to DH duties during Grapefruit League games. Boston manager Alex Cora said it's important that Yoshida be able to play the outfield, so it's possible Yoshida opens the season on the injured list while building up his throwing.

Wong (illness) is expected to return to camp Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Wong, who was scratched from Wednesday's lineup, is feeling better and will rejoin the club. He'll likely need a few days before appearing in a Grapefruit League game.

Bello (shoulder) is set to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bello will not be ready for Opening Day and will begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list. With Bello, Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) expected to open on the IL, Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts and Cooper Criswell are candidates to be part of the rotation in the early weeks of the regular season.