MLB Player News

Ort (oblique) is doing some throwing in the batting cage off a screen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort is being eased back into a throwing program as he comes back from left oblique soreness. The Astros expect the reliever to have plenty of time to get ramped up for Opening Day as long as he continues to progress. Ort posted a 2.55 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB across 24.2 regular-season frames for Houston in 2024.

Leon will undergo an MRI on his injured left knee, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Leon had to be scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup and will now undergo testing. Astros manager Joe Espada is not concerned about the injury, so it would appear the MRI is more precautionary in nature. Leon is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Dubin is headed back to Houston to undergo an MRI on his right shoulder, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Dubin tried playing catch Sunday after being shut down for a while and the shoulder did not respond well. It sounds like he could be headed for a long-term absence, but more will be known once the test results are in. Dubin held a 4.17 ERA and 49:26 K:BB over 45.1 innings for Houston in 2024.

The Rays signed Westbrook to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Westbrook, 29, saw his first major-league action in 2024 with the Red Sox, producing a .584 OPS over 21 contests. He's likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Durham, where he'll provide utility depth.

Giolito (elbow) is expected to throw a live batting practice session Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito is behind some other Boston starters but appears on track to be ready for Opening Day. The Red Sox typically have pitchers throw a couple of live BPs before getting into game action. Kutter Crawford (knee) is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, per Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, so there's a spot for Giolito if he's ready.

Whitlock threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday following a week of downtime, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

As part of the rehab plan this offseason to bring Whitlock back from an internal brace procedure, the Red Sox introduced the concept of what was coined a "de-load" week. The right-hander would throw normal bullpens, then get a week off. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said this most recent de-load was the last one. If healthy, Whitlock should serve in a high-leverage bullpen role, including save opportunities.

Bregman started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a home run, double and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Blue Jays.

Bregman's debut in a Boston uniform could not have gone any better. Batting second, he singled in his first at-bat, laced a two-run home run in the second inning, then had a double off the replica Green Monster at JetBlue park. The 30-year-old told Christopher Smith of Mass Live following the game that he worked on his swing mechanics during the offseason. After posting a career-low .768 OPS in 2024, Bregman studied video and noticed his hands were launching from further back over the last few seasons, so he worked to bring his hands inside the frame of his body.

Bradford allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Sunday's spring game against the Cubs.

Bradford, who could land in the rotation or the bullpen, submitted evidence during his Cactus League debut of his worthiness to be a starter in the regular season. Sixteen of his 24 pitches were strikes, which impressed manager Bruce Bochy. "Outstanding, wasn't he?" Bochy told Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. "Really nice job, throwing his strikes, Cody was Cody today. Good day for him." The left-hander pitched well in 2024 when healthy, posting a 3.54 ERA over 14 outings (13 starts).

Brito started at second base and went 0-for-2 in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Brito made his Cactus League debut Sunday. The 23-year-old is one of several players that should see time at second base, a position that remains up for grabs. Gabriel Arias started Saturday's spring opener followed by Brito on Sunday. Expect to see a carousel of names in daily box scores, including prospect Travis Bazzana.

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Sunday that Rodriguez is in the mix for the available job in right field, Steve Stockmar of MLB.com reports.

Add Rodriguez's name to the competition for right field, which also includes Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel. Rodriguez has done damage in the minors, including its highest level where the outfielder has a .295 average and 40 home runs over 165 games at Triple-A Columbus. "What he's done at Triple-A the last couple of years, we're excited about the future for J-Rod," Vogt said. Noel (Saturday) and Brennan (Sunday) have started the first two spring games with Rodriguez coming off the bench Saturday.