MLB Player News

Anthony (illness) will start in left field and bat seventh in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Anthony will make his return to the spring lineup for the first time since March 2, after a bout with an illness kept him out for more than a week while also resulting in him losing about 10 pounds. The 20-year-old outfield prospect might have been facing an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster had he stayed healthy throughout the spring, and the missed time due to the illness makes it even more likely that he'll begin the season at Triple-A Worcester. Anthony shouldn't need much more time in the minors before making his MLB debut, as he slashed a blistering .344/.463/.519 with a 19.1 percent walk rate and 19.5 percent strikeout rate in 164 plate appearances for Worcester after getting a promotion from Double-A Portland last August.

The Rangers optioned Curvelo to minor-league camp Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Curvelo received a major-league contract from the Rangers this winter even though he hasn't pitched above the Double-A level. He'll begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock after permitting five runs with a 6:3 K:BB across five frames this spring.

The Rangers optioned Foscue to minor-league camp Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Foscue came into camp likely on the outside looking in for a roster spot and didn't do anything to change minds with a .631 OPS during Cactus League play. The 26-year-old went just 2-for-42 at the dish for the Rangers last season and will begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers optioned Teodo to minor-league camp Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Teodo was impressive this spring, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings with a 6:1 K:BB. For now, the Rangers appear set on continuing to develop the hard-throwing right-hander as a starting pitcher. However, a move to the bullpen could come at some point, and if it does, Teodo has the potential to eventually be a closer option.

McCullers (forearm) could make his Grapefruit League debut as soon as Tuesday against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers completed another live batting practice session Wednesday, saying afterward that he felt fine and touched 94 miles per hour with his fastball. The news has been promising on the right-hander this spring as he comes back from two missed seasons due to arm problems. McCullers will begin the season on the injured list, but he could be an option to join the Houston rotation by May 1 or so.

The Angels optioned Crouse to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Though he posted a tidy 2.84 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 25.1 innings out of the Angels' bullpen in 2024, Crouse had a poor spring, and that looks to be the main reason why he was unable to break camp with the big club. Over his six Cactus League appearances spanning 4.2 innings, Crouse yielded five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven. He'll likely need to show improved control early on in the season at Salt Lake before receiving another look with the big club.

Mahle is expected to pitch within the next few days after an MRI on his right forearm came back negative, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Mahle was scratched from a scheduled Cactus League outing Tuesday due to right forearm soreness, but the move was said to be precautionary and he said Wednesday that he feels fine. Barring a setback, Mahle's readiness for Opening Day shouldn't be affected.

Rangers general manager Chris Young said that Bradford has been scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start Wednesday against the Reds due to left elbow soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Bradford will be shut down for four or five days before resuming his throwing program.

An elbow injury at this stage of spring training puts Bradford at risk of not being ready for Opening Day, but the Rangers will wait and see how the southpaw responds to a few days of rest before determining his next steps. On a positive note, Young relayed that Bradford underwent an MRI on his elbow, which came back clean. If healthy, Bradford would seemingly have the inside track on a spot at the back end of the Texas rotation to open the season. However, if Bradford requires a stint on the injured list, the door would be open for either Kumar Rocker or Dane Dunning to break camp in a starting role.

Garver said Wednesday that his hand/wrist feels about 80 percent healed, and he hopes to take some swings within the next few days, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

X-rays on Garver's hand/wrist came back negative after he exited a Cactus League contest Monday when he was hit by a pitch, but he's dealing with some bruising and swelling and will miss a few games. As long as the issue doesn't linger, he'll be fine for Opening Day. Garver has three home runs and a 1.420 OPS this spring and is in line for significant playing time at designated hitter for the Mariners.

Brash (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It will be the reliever's first time facing hitters since he underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last May. The Mariners have said Brash could make his season debut by the third week of April in a best-case scenario, but closer to the beginning of May is probably a more realistic target.