MLB Player News

Bello (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bello has been slowed in camp by right shoulder soreness but has been throwing on flat ground without issue and will take the next step in his throwing progression Friday. The Red Sox remain optimistic that the right-hander has enough time to be ready for Opening Day, but Bello will have to continue showing progress without having any setbacks.

Jaworsky (undisclosed) is listed as an available bench option Wednesday for the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 20-year-old Jaworsky made his spring debut last Friday against the Mets, recording a sacrifice fly in his lone plate appearance in addition to seeing some time at second base. He isn't a serious threat to make the Astros' Opening Day roster, but his involvement in big-league camp is an indication that he's healthy again after he finished the 2024 season on Single-A Fayetteville's 60-day injured list due to an unspecified issue.

Altuve will make his Grapefruit League debut in left field Friday versus the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve has never played left field in professional ball, but he's been working out at the position this spring, and it appears to be the spot he's most likely to man on a regular basis for the Astros in 2025. The 34-year-old slashed .295/.350/.439 with 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases across 153 contests for the Astros during the 2024 regular season.

Giolito (elbow) threw a 15-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of Mass Live reports. "Being able to get through that step, for me, it feels like the end of the rehab arc," Giolito said.

Giolito missed the entirety of 2024 with an elbow issue that required an internal brace procedure. He's behind other starters at this point, but the right-hander feels he'll be ready by Opening Day. The next step is a two-inning live BP in about five days, but then it's Grapefruit League play. The 30-year-old Giolito is looking to re-establish himself after posting a 4.88 ERA and giving up a league-high 41 home runs over 33 starts for three teams in 2023. The version of the pitcher we saw from 2019 through 2021 that logged a 3.47 ERA and received Cy Young Award votes in all three seasons may be too much to expect, but he could fill out the back end of Boston's rotation.

Smith cranked a two-run home run and a solo blast in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Mets.

Smith didn't start the game but homered in both of his plate appearances, taking Chris Devenski deep in the sixth inning and then sending one over the boards off Connor Overton in the eighth. The top prospect has reached base in all four plate appearances this spring, having drawn walks in his first two trips to the dish. Acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, Smith has just 32 games of pro ball under his belt but could move quickly through the Astros' system.

Houck is taking measures to avoid the shoulder fatigue that led to a velocity dip in the second half of 2024, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Even with the second-half dip, Houck took a step forward overall in 2024. His 30 starts and 178 innings were career highs and a building block for 2025. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that the velocity dip led to a lack of separation on pitches, but the shoulder issue can be rectified by mechanical tweaks. The manager added that Houck is working with coaches on a few pitches, including a four-seamer that can create space for Houck's other offerings. The right-hander threw just one four-seamer in 2024.

Isaac is expected to resume hitting in a few days after he said Wednesday that an MRI on his left elbow came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The first base prospect has seen more outfield reps early on in camp, which contributed to some soreness in his elbow. While Isaac will need more time before he resumes throwing, the good news is that he should soon be able to get in his usual reps at the plate. He's likely to begin the season at Double-A Montgomery.

Wells is in the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, starting at catcher and batting fifth, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The Yankees had previously disclosed a plan to keep Wells out of spring games until March 1, but the catcher will end up making his Grapefruit League debut a bit earlier than expected. In his age-24 campaign, Wells slashed .229/.322/.395 with 13 homers and 55 RBI across 414 regular-season plate appearances, and he should shoulder even more of the workload behind the plate in 2025, if healthy.

Smith started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's spring game against Kansas City.

This was Smith's third Cactus League game, and he made starts at third base and center field prior to Tuesday's deployment. For the last two seasons, he's been needed as the primary fill-in for injured starters at shortstop and third base, but the Rangers are preparing him for a more diversified role in 2025. He's always carried multiple gloves with him, so moving around the diamond is nothing new. In more of a utility role, Smith may not receive the nearly 600 plate appearances he had last season.

Rocker allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one over one inning in Tuesday's spring start against the Royals.

Rocker's quest for a spot in the Rangers' rotation got off to a rocky start in his Cactus League debut. The right-hander hit the first batter faced and allowed loud contact during his one inning, during which he threw 22 pitches (14 strikes). Rocker told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he was leaving pitches up in the zone which contributed to three hard-hit balls. Early in camp, he appears to be outside the top five starters, but with a good spring season going forward, Rocker could force the coaching staff's hand.