MLB Player News

Beeks signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Beeks split time between the Rockies and Pirates last season, turning in a 4.50 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 70 total innings. The 31-year-old lefty may need a bit of time to build up before he makes his spring debut, but he should still be in the mix for Houston's Opening Day bullpen.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Holliday will be getting reps at shortstop and could play at the position at the start of the 2025 regular season due to the potential absence of Gunnar Henderson (side), Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles are going through contingency plans in case Henderson cannot play in the early portion of the 2025 campaign, and that includes having Holliday or even Jordan Westburg filling in at shortstop. Holliday mostly played shortstop in the minors, but he transitioned to second base during spring training in 2024 and mostly played there during the regular season. He struggled out of the gate in 2024 and finished the regular season with a slash line of .189/.255/.311 with four stolen bases, five home runs and 23 RBI across 208 plate appearances.

Mateo (elbow) has begun hitting in a cage but is still a long shot to be ready by Opening Day, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo is working through his recovery from the UCL reconstruction surgery he underwent on his left elbow in late August. He's upgraded from hitting off a tee to in the cage, but it appears the 29-year-old is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day and could begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list. He appeared in 68 regular-season games for the Orioles in 2024 and posted a slash line of .229/.267/.401 with 13 stolen bases, five home runs and 18 RBI across 208 plate appearances.

Manager Brandon Hyde announced Friday that Kittredge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the cartilage in his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for multiple months, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge was pulled from Grapefruit League action after experiencing soreness in his left knee prior to this past Saturday's game against the Pirates. The 34-year-old right-hander underwent an MRI on his knee and opted to undergo surgery after receiving multiple opinions. With Kittredge set to start the 2025 regular season on the IL, Gregory Soto, Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez are expected to take on larger roles in the bullpen alongside Seranthony Dominguez and Felix Bautista.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Rodriguez (triceps) will not be ready for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Hyde noted that Rodriguez isn't dealing with any structural damage, but the discomfort he's feeling in his right elbow/triceps is enough to keep him out for "some time." The 25-year-old will seek a second opinion, and it's unknown at this point how far his absence will extend into the regular season. While Rodriguez is out, Albert Suarez and Cade Povich will battle for the open spot in Baltimore's rotation.

Stanton will return to New York on Monday to receive a third round of platelet-rich plasma injections in his elbows, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton has been dealing with tennis elbow in both arms, and the PRP injections are an effort to aid in the recovery process while avoiding surgery. Stanton will begin the regular season on the injured list, and how long he stays on the IL will depend on the progress in his recovery. He finished the 2024 regular season with a slash line of .233/.298/.475 with 27 home runs and 72 RBI across 459 plate appearances.

The Mariners reassigned Fleming to minor-league camp Friday.

Fleming logged a 4.02 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 31.1 innings with the Pirates last year before being released and finishing the season in Seattle's farm system. He tossed three scoreless innings over his three appearances this spring but will ultimately miss out on the Mariners' Opening Day bullpen.

The Mariners optioned Castano to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Castano was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster in November, but he'll head back to Triple-A to begin 2025 after allowing five runs (four earned) over two innings during spring training. The 26-year-old righty turned in a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with the Rainiers last season, and he'll likely need to improve upon those numbers before getting a chance in Seattle's rotation.

The Mariners optioned Danner to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The Mariners claimed Danner off waivers early January after the 26-year-old right hander was DFA'd by the Blue Jays in December. He spent most of the 2024 regular season with Triple-A Buffalo, where he posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and seven saves across 34.1 innings. Danner will begin the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Tacoma, though he could see some time in the majors if the Mariners are in need of depth out of the bullpen.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Schmidt (back) will remain at spring training when the team heads north and is slated to make his season debut April 3 against the Diamondbacks, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game due to a back issue. While he seems to be past the injury now, the Yankees will hold him back for their sixth game of the regular season since he's behind schedule. Schmidt will throw a simulated game March 28 and is expected to have his pitch count built up to 75-to-80 before his regular-season debut.