MLB Player News

Mayer (back) took batting practice Wednesday and appears to be a full participant for the start of spring training, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Mayer finished the 2024 season on Triple-A Worcester's 7-day injured list while he dealt with a lumbar strain, but he was cleared to resume baseball activities early in the offseason and doesn't look to be operating under any restrictions during his first big-league camp. The 22-year-old isn't a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster, but a midseason debut is possible if he displays improved durability with Worcester while maintaining the improved plate skills he demonstrated with Double-A Portland. Before getting promoted to Worcester and being placed on the IL soon after, Mayer slashed .307/.370/.480 with eight home runs, 13 stolen bases and a 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 335 plate appearances at Double-A.

The White Sox placed Scholtens (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Michael Taylor, whose signing was made official Wednesday. Scholtens had Tommy John surgery last March and will miss at least the first couple months of the 2025 season.

The Rays placed Lavender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Mason Englert, who was acquired via trade. Lavender was a Rule 5 pick this offseason and is likely to be out until around midseason while recovering from an internal brace procedure, which he underwent last spring.

The Rays acquired Englert from the Tigers on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander Drew Sommers.

Englert will get a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster, with Tampa Bay placing Nate Lavender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding transaction. The 25-year-old right-hander spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo but made 12 appearances (one start) for Detroit, logging a 5.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB In 21.2 innings. Englert will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen if he secures a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will work out with the team's catchers in camp in addition to taking reps at first base, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rice has nearly 1,000 innings of catching experience under his belt in the minors, but his defense behind the plate likely isn't strong enough for him to profile as anything more than a backup option at the position in the majors. Still, if Rice can acquit himself well in his catching opportunities during the spring, it could be his ticket to a spot on the Opening Day roster, as the Yankees already have Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton locked in as regulars at first base and designated hitter, respectively. Meanwhile, Austin Wells appears secure as the Yankees' No. 1 catcher, but J.C. Escarra and Jesus Rodriguez -- neither of whom has made their MLB debut -- are the only other backstops on the 40-man roster. Rice hit just .171 and struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances in his first taste of the majors last season, but he flashed power (seven home runs, six doubles) and drew walks at an 11.6 percent rate.

Diaz agreed Wednesday with the Mariners on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle removed Diaz from its 40-man roster earlier this month, and after he elected free agency upon clearing waivers, the 28-year-old will now rejoin the Mariners for the start of spring training. He'll presumably get the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen as a long reliever. The Mariners boast a talented rotation that has all five members healthy heading into spring training, but Diaz's prior big-league starting experience could put him high on the list for spot starts if injuries in the rotation stack up at any point. He made five appearances (one start) for Seattle in 2024, covering 9.2 innings and allowing five earned runs on 14 hits and three walks while striking out eight.

Reyzelman was taken to a Tampa-area hospital Wednesday after suffering an allergic reaction prior to a workout, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees relay that Reyzelman is expected to remain hospitalized overnight while he receives treatment and doctors presumably put him through further tests. A 23-year-old right-handed reliever, Reyzelman was a standout performer at Double-A Somerset in 2024, submitting a 1.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB over 22.1 innings.

McClanahan (elbow) confirmed Wednesday prior to throwing his first bullpen session of the spring that he's 100 percent and will face no restrictions in spring training, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The Rays are still expected to cap McClanahan at around 150 innings in 2025 after he missed the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from August 2023 Tommy John surgery, but he appears to be entering the spring on a normal throwing progression that mirrors Tampa Bay's other healthy rotation candidates. According to Bass, McClanahan's fastball sat at around 94-to-95 mph during Wednesday's throwing session, just a tick or two behind his average velocity from the 2023 season. McClanahan made his second consecutive All-Star appearance that season and turned in a 3.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 121:41 K:BB over 115 innings before requiring the second Tommy John surgery of his career.

Rendon is scheduled to undergo hip surgery and is facing a lengthy absence, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Rendon experienced a setback in his rehab sometime in the last few weeks and it was decided surgery was the best course of action. Further clarity on a timetable should be available after the operation, but it's fair to wonder whether Rendon has played his final game for the Angels. He has not played in any more than 58 games during his five seasons with the Halos and still has two years remaining on his seven-year, $245 million contract.

McArthur will be delayed to begin spring training after he underwent surgery in the offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

McArthur's procedure didn't address any ligament damage, but he needed to have two screws placed in his arm to help stabilize his elbow. The right-hander recently started up his throwing progression, but he'll be further behind the Royals' healthy pitchers while he ramps up. The Royals haven't yet suggested that McArthur's availability for Opening Day is in any jeopardy.