MLB Player News

Ryan threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and a walk in his spring training debut in Thursday's win over the Yankees. "Great introduction to the season for Joe. He looked good," manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minnesota Star Tribune. "He even threw a nice slider or two, that little sweepy pitch that he throws, and showed a little feel for it. He's out there facing a good lineup, and he goes right at them."

Ryan reached 93-94 mph with his fastball and faced most of the starters in the Yankees lineup. Ryan suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain during a start Aug. 9 and missed the rest of the regular season, but he had an MRI in November that showed a "complete resolution" of the shoulder strain and entering spring training health. It looks like he'll be full speed for Opening Day.

Cole allowed six runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- over 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League loss to the Twins. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Despite the result, manager Aaron Boone described Cole's outing as "another really good step in the process," per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "I got my work in," Cole said after the game. "Not great command; I kept trying to work the fastball over and over again." Cole was pulled with two outs in the second inning but returned for the third -- allowed under spring training rules -- and totaled 54 pitches in his second appearance of the spring. While Cole's numbers were down last season following his return from an elbow injury, his track record keeps him on the SP1/SP2 border for many.

Woo struck out six over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels, giving up just one walk and one hit.

Woo dominated in this abbreviated outing, striking out the side in the first inning and generating a 59 percent whiff rate across his 37 pitches. Health concerns have kept the 25-year-old right-hander in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts this spring, but Woo excelled when available last season in the form of a 2.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 101:13 K:BB through 121.1 frames (22 starts). With the benefit of throwing at the pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park for home games, Woo carries plenty of upside in 2025 but will need to prove he can handle a full workload before establishing himself as an upper-echelon starter.

Garver went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Garver is off to a sizzling start this spring, as he's now gone 6-for-15 with two homers and three RBI in six outings. It's an encouraging sign for the veteran slugger, who struggled at the dish while logging a .627 OPS in 430 plate appearance during his debut season in Seattle a year ago. Garver appears ticketed for a bench role as the Mariners' backup catcher to begin 2025, but he could push Mitch Haniger for at-bats at designated hitter if the former continues to swing a hot bat.

The Athletics signed Butler to a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

In doing so, the Athletics are buying out the 24-year-old arbitration years and locking up one of their building blocks of the future. The deal also contains a 2032 club option. Butler had a breakout 2024 season, slashing .262/.317/.490 with 22 home runs, 57 RBI, 63 runs scored and 18 stolen bases across 451 plate appearances. Butler is expected to bat at the top of the lineup this season and has torn the cover off the ball early on this spring, slashing .563/.588/1.000 with two home runs, five RBI and five runs over 17 trips to the plate.

Eflin threw 2.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks.

After allowing one run on four hits over two innings in his first start of spring training, Eflin now carries a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP with just one punchout across 4.2 frames. Fantasy managers will want to see some improvement out of the veteran right-hander in the second half of the spring schedule, as Eflin is still getting tuned up, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. "I feel like the stuff is good," Eflin said. "Command could be a little runner. Trying to sync up my mechanics a little bit." With the status of Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) uncertain, Eflin's spot atop Baltimore's rotation could take on even more importance by the time the regular season begins.

Loftin exited Thursday's Cactus League game against the Cubs with an illness.

Loftin returned to the lineup Thursday after missing the previous four days with a wrist issue. He went 0-for-2 at the plate before leaving the game and is now 6-for-13 this spring. Loftin is competing for a utility role after appearing in 57 regular-season games for the Royals last season.

Mead went 4-for-4 with one walk and one run scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Mead is swinging a red-hot bat this spring. He's 14-for-18 at the plate, slashing .778/.810/1.000, with one home run, two RBI and four runs scored through seven Grapefruit League contests. Mead's blistering start to the spring could pave the way for him to make the Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder for Tampa Bay. Mead appeared in 38 regular-season games for the Rays last season and posted one home run, seven RBI, 10 runs scored and two stolen bases across 132 plate appearances.

Alfonzo was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Alfonzo went 3-for-8 with a double and two RBI in Grapefruit League play. The 25-year-old spent the entire 2024 season with Double-A Erie and could be headed there again this year, unless he gets the call up to Triple-A. Alfonzo is likely nothing more than organizational depth for the Tigers at the moment.

Hernandez was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings this spring, and he'll now head over to the minor-league side, which was expected. The righty spent 2024 with Double-A Erie and could head there again in 2025, though a promotion to Triple-A Toledo could also be in order. Either way, Hernandez is unlikely to make much of an impact with the Tigers this year.