MLB Player News

Lugo gave up one run in 2.2 innings with five strikeouts and two walks in Friday's spring start. He has a 8.22 ERA with a 9:3 K:BB ratio over 7.2 innings this spring.

Lugo improved after giving up three runs in each of his first three spring starts as his five strikeouts showed he's nearly in regular-season form. However, spring stats hardly matter for the veteran who is locked in as the No. 2 starter for the Royals. Lugo won 16 games with a 3.00 ERA over a league-high 33 starts last season. A 21.7 percent strikeout rate left something to be desired, but Lugo provided so much volume with a surprising 206.2 innings that he accumulated 181 punchouts.

Topa is dealing with right shoulder tightness, but he has not needed an MRI, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Topa left Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to right shoulder tightness. This doesn't sound like a serious injury, but it could land him on the injured list to begin the season as he works his way back into regular season form.

Pereira went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays.

Pereira entered the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and tied the score with a solo shot to left-center field. He stayed in the contest for an additional at-bat but didn't play the field, taking over the designated hitter spot. Pereira has been limited to pinch-hitting and DH duties this spring while he continues to recover from the elbow surgery he underwent last June, but he's expected to return to the outfield before the end of the exhibition slate and still has a chance of making the Opening Day roster in a reserve role.

Through eight Grapefruit League games, Bellinger is slashing .476/.476/.810 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored.

Bellinger went deep to right field in the first inning against Toronto on Friday for his second homer of the spring. The Yankees acquired Bellinger in a trade with the Cubs in December and have settled on having him spend most of his time in center field. Bellinger's impact with the bat has taken on extra importance with Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) expected to miss an extended period.

Paddack left Saturday's spring start with a head contusion after a line drive deflected off his glove and hit his head, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. He is not in the concussion protocol.

Paddack was pitching well before he left and was able to leave under his own power. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts prior to exiting. The right-hander is seen as the leading candidates for the No. 4 starter role but is having an uneven spring (three strikeouts and two homers allowed in 5.2 total innings).

The Twins reassigned DeLauter (abdomen) to minor-league camp Saturday.

DeLauter is expected to be out for 8-to-12 weeks after undergoing hernia surgery Tuesday. He logged only 168 plate appearances in the minors during the 2024 season (including 27 in Triple-A), but he has a chance at seeing time on the Guardians' 26-man roster during the 2025 campaign once he's fully recovered from the procedure.

The Guardians optioned Espino (shoulder) to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff in March of 2024. He's not expected to be game-ready until July, but he has recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and once he's fully healthy he'll work out of Columbus' rotation.

Thorpe (elbow) will begin throwing live batting practice Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe has been throwing bullpen sessions since mid-February, and he has now officially been cleared to face live hitters. The plan is for him to throw several rounds of live BP before getting into a routine of throwing every five days. Assuming all goes well, he'll then begin a rehab assignment with one of the White Sox's minor-league affiliates.

The Guardians optioned Enright (lat) to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Enright suffered a low-grade lat strain mid-February, but he has recently progressed to mound work. He'll begin the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, but he could make his major-league debut later in the season should the Guardians be in need of right-handed depth out of the bullpen. Enright appeared in 16 games for Columbus in 2024 and posted a 2-1 record with a 1.06 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 31:5 K:BB and three saves across 17 innings.

The Guardians optioned Aleman (abdomen) to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Aleman is working his way back from hernia surgery and will start the 2025 campaign in Triple-A once he's fully recovered from the procedure. He could see time in the majors at some point this season should the Guardians need a right-handed option out of the bullpen. Aleman appeared in 24 games at Triple-A during the 2024 regular season and posted a 1.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 34:10 K:BB and two saves across 22.2 innings.