MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Avila to minor-league camp Sunday.

Avila made three appearances out of the bullpen during spring training, tossing six innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits and two walks and striking out seven batters. The 23-year-old ended the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Omaha and will likely return to the International League to begin the 2025 season.

Berrios allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The veteran right-hander allowed just one run across his first two appearances of the spring, but Brandon Lowe tagged him for a three-run homer during the third inning Sunday. After posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 153:54 K:BB across 192.1 innings last season. Berrios is locked in as a mid-rotation starter for Toronto, though his career-worst 7.2 K/9 in 2024 will limit his fantasy upside if repeated.

The Rays reassigned Gerber to minor-league camp Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gerber made 17 appearances out of Seattle's big-league bullpen, but he's since toiled in the minors while also missing significant time with injuries. He landed a minor-league contract with the Rays in the offseason after he most recently spent the 2024 season in the Yankees organization. After failing to win a spot in Tampa Bay's Opening Day bullpen, Gerber is likely to report to Triple-A Durham.

The Tigers reassigned Miller to minor-league camp Sunday.

While with the Angels last season, Miller reached the big leagues for the first time and produced a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 13 innings. After being cut loose in November, Miller caught on with the Tigers on a minor-league deal and was given a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but he ultimately fell short in his battle for a roster berth. The reliever will likely open the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Walters is returning from right shoulder stiffness and threw a bullpen session Sunday, SI.com reports.

Walters was shut down after giving up three runs over one-third of an inning during his spring debut Feb. 24, but he's been cleared to resume mound work. The right-hander delivered 8.2 scoreless frames in his first taste of the majors last season, but it's unclear if he'll be past the shoulder issue in time for Opening Day.

The Yankees optioned Rodriguez to Double-A Somerset on Sunday.

Rodriguez was in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, which protected him from being selected during the Rule 5 Draft. He'll return to Somerset, where he received a late-season promotion last year and had a .695 OPS in 23 games.

The Tigers optioned Owens to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 24-year-old made a strong impression during spring training with four strikeouts and no walks over 3.1 scoreless innings, but he'll still end up beginning the season in the minors. Owens could quickly be called up for his MLB debut if he's able to replicate the 2.96 ERA he posted at the Triple-A level in 2024.

The Tigers optioned Lee to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lee will unsurprisingly begin the season at Toledo after being added to the Tigers' 40-man roster in November. The 26-year-old made 17 appearances with the affiliate last year and had a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:4 K:BB across 22 innings.

The Twins reassigned Ramirez (shoulder) to minor-league camp Sunday, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

As a non-roster invitee, Ramirez was already facing an uphill battle to win a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen before he recently suffered a significant tear in his right shoulder. He'll likely report to Triple-A St. Paul but could be in store for a long-term stay on the injured list before making his 2025 debut.

The Twins reassigned Dobnak to minor-league camp Sunday, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Dobnak had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee after the Twins had removed him from their 40-man roster following the 2024 season. The 30-year-old right-hander spent most of the past season at Triple-A St. Paul but made five relief appearances for Minnesota in the second half of the campaign, logging a 5.59 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 9.2 innings. He's poised to once again serve as pitching depth at the Triple-A level in 2025 before likely heading into free agency next offseason, when Minnesota is expected to decline his $6 million team option for 2026.