MLB Player News

With free agent Alex Bregman passing up the Tigers to sign with the Red Sox, Vierling should have a clearer path to regular starts at third base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

If Bregman had joined Detroit, he likely would have played most days at the hot corner, pushing Vierling to a bench role. However, Vierling should now slot in as a primary option at third, though left-hand hitting Jace Jung figures to be in the mix too. On days when Jung enters the lineup, Vierling could slide to the outfield. This makes the veteran's 2025 fantasy outlook similar to 2024, when he slashed .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs across 144 regular-season games.

Reyzelman (illness) was released from the hospital and visited with the Yankees at their spring training complex Thursday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Reyzelman had to be taken to the hospital after suffering an allergic reaction Wednesday and stayed there overnight, but he was cleared to leave Thursday and should be fine. The 23-year-old reliever held a 1.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB over 22.1 innings with Double-A Somerset in 2024 and could potentially push to debut in 2025 if things go well.

The Orioles outrighted Cameron to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Cameron is no longer on the 40-man roster but will be in camp as a non-roster invitee. The 28-year-old is slated to open the season as outfield depth at Norfolk.

Loaisiga (elbow) said Thursday that he hopes to make his season debut around late May or early June, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Shortly after Loaisiga signed a one-year deal to return to New York in December, pitching coach Matt Blake said he expected the right-hander to return closer to the beginning of May. Although it now seems the Yankees will have to wait a bit longer than that before activating Loaisiga, he's still likely to play a key role in their bullpen once healthy.

Gray (foot) completed his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray finished last season on the injured list while dealing with a neuroma in his foot, but he seemingly had a normal offseason and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions during the spring. Rather than his health, Gray's role heading into 2025 is the bigger question mark during camp. Neither manager Bruce Bochy nor general manager Chris Young have confirmed that Gray will be locked into an Opening Day rotation spot, and Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reported earlier this week that the organization has had internal discussions about using the hard-throwing right-hander as a closer. The back end of the Texas bullpen is currently unsettled, as the Rangers let three key late-inning relievers (Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc) walk in free agency this winter and lack an obvious ninth-inning solution on the roster.

Valdez said Thursday that the Astros have yet to approach him or his agent regarding a contract extension, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez is set to make $18 million during 2025 in his final year under team control, and there's been no indication to this point that Houston is eager to lock up the lefty to a long-term deal. He'll turn 32 next winter, but Valdez should have no trouble landing a sizable contract from someone following three straight top-10 finishes in voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

Wells (elbow) is throwing on flat ground but has yet to incorporate breaking balls or mound work, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander underwent a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow in mid-June. Wells' rehab has come along as expected to this point, but he's still in the early stages of his throwing program. He will not be an option for the Orioles until at least midseason.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that it's possible Bradford opens the season in the bullpen, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford is coming to camp as a starting pitcher and would seem to have a good shot to begin the season as a member of the Rangers' rotation. However, the left-hander also has relief experience and could be used there if a pitcher like Kumar Rocker stakes claim to a rotation spot. Bradford has minor-league options remaining, but Bochy indicated the southpaw is virtually a lock to make the Opening Day roster.

Thorpe (elbow) said Thursday that he hopes to throw off a mound next week, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur from his right elbow and subsequently had a pair of setbacks, so he's a little behind at the start of camp. While the hope is that he will not need a stint on the injured list to begin the season, it's far from a given that he'll be able to avoid one. If healthy, Thorpe is projected to be part of the White Sox's rotation.

Perales (elbow) said Thursday that he's been cleared to throw off flat ground up to 90 feet, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Perales still appears to be in the early stages of his throwing program as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. Though the right-hander is unlikely to pitch in games at any point in 2025, the Red Sox recognized enough potential to keep him on the 40-man roster for the second season in a row. Before sustaining the season-ending elbow injury, Perales turned in a 2.94 ERA and 48:11 K:BB in 29.2 innings between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland.