MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Whitley has a bone bruise in his left knee and will hold off throwing for a couple of days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley reportedly suffered the injury during his appearance Saturday against the Yankees. There's been no official indication whether the injury will sideline him for Opening Day, but any shutdown this late in camp is problematic. The 27-year-old righty had been having a solid camp prior to getting hurt, allowing one earned run in five innings while striking out five batters and walking four.

Leiter is competing with Kumar Rocker to fill the spot in the Rangers' rotation vacated by Cody Bradford (elbow), Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy announced Thursday that Bradford would begin the season on the injured list with a sore left elbow. While it seems there's hope that it won't be a long-term absence, his turn through the rotation will likely need to be filled at least a couple times. Leiter could be the favorite if the team goes mostly on spring training results, as he's allowed just three runs with a 13:6 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He was wild in his last outing, however, walking five over 2.2 frames while throwing more balls than strikes. Control has often been an issue for Leiter, but his stuff has ticked up this spring, and he has looked dominant at times.

The Cardinals traded Horn to the Tigers on Thursday in exchange for cash, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Horn was designated for assignment by St. Louis on Thursday, and he didn't have to wait long to join another team's 40-man roster. The 27-year-old lefty turned in a 6.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 18 innings with the Red Sox last season, and his struggles have continued into the spring with four runs allowed on three hits and five walks in just 2.1 frames. He'll immediately head to Triple-A upon joining his new organization.

Mahle (forearm) allowed three runs on six hits and no walks over four innings in a start versus minor leaguers Thursday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Mahle threw 55 pitches in the outing and an additional 10 pitches in the bullpen afterward. The right-hander was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League start earlier this week due to right forearm soreness, but an MRI came back negative, and it appears Mahle is back on track.

The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Ornelas' defensive versatility and .881 OPS in spring training gave him a good chance to win a spot on the Rangers' bench out of spring training. However, the team would evidently like to see if his hot bat can hold up in the Triple-A regular season, which is not surprising given his career .505 OPS in the big leagues.

The Rangers optioned Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Garabito received his first taste of MLB action last year, logging a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 26.1 innings. He'll end up missing the cut for the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen despite giving up just two earned runs in 5.2 frames this spring, but he's a likely candidate to be promoted during the regular season.

Devers (shoulders) said Thursday that he is OK with being a designated hitter if that's where the Red Sox choose to use him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Devers was speaking publicly for the first time since telling reporters in mid-February that he was a third baseman and was unwilling to be a DH. The 28-year-old has spoken with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow since then, and while he wanted to keep the details of that conversation to himself, he now appears amendable to serving as the team's DH. The Red Sox have not yet announced a decision on where Devers or Alex Bregman will play, but all signs point to Devers indeed being the DH while Bregman handles third base. Devers homered during a simulated game Thursday and is expected to finally make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against Atlanta.

Gray has made two starts this spring, tossing five scoreless innings with a 3:0 K:BB.

There were reports earlier in the offseason that the Rangers might consider using Gray as a reliever and potentially, a closer. However, while it's possible the team might revisit the idea down the line, it fully intends to open the season with Gray as a member of its rotation. Gray posted a 4.47 ERA and 86:28 K:BB over 102.2 innings covering 19 starts and four relief appearances in 2024.

Quero has yet to make a start for the White Sox this spring.

Quero came into camp seemingly with a shot to emerge with a spot on the Opening Day roster, but his lack of usage suggests that's not going to happen. The 21-year-old has appeared in eight Cactus League games off the bench this spring, going 4-for-14 with a 2:1 K:BB. Quero appears likely to open the season alongside fellow catching prospect Kyle Teel at Triple-A Charlotte, where the duo would split playing time.

Story (back) is hitting in a simulated game against Walker Buehler on Thursday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Story last played in a Grapefruit League game March 9, as he's been dealing with back tightness. However, the fact that he's able to play in a simulated game suggests he's on track to return to the Red Sox' lineup Saturday versus Atlanta as hoped.