MLB Player News

The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Williams was competing with Taylor Walls at shortstop with the Rays, but instead Williams will begin the season at Triple-A. The 22-year-old got his first taste of the big leagues last season and posted a .573 OPS with five home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases and an ugly 6:44 BB:K across 106 plate appearances. Williams should be back in the majors at some point in 2026.

Neto (wrist) will play in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 25-year-old sustained a left wrist sprain on a slide into home plate Saturday and was initially expected to play in a minor-league game Tuesday, but the Angels instead decided to push his return to Wednesday. Neto has been feeling good in his workouts, however, and was able to convince the club to let him play in Tuesday's Cactus League contest. He totaled 26 home runs and 26 steals with a career-best .793 OPS in 128 games last season.

The Angels announced Tuesday that Soriano will start Los Angeles' March 26 season opener against the Astros in Houston.

It will be Soriano's first career nod on Opening Day. The 27-year-old made 31 starts for the Halos last season, turning in a 10-11 record, 4.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 152:78 K:BB across 169 innings. Soriano has been knocked around a bit this spring, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks across 8.2 frames, while striking out 10 of the 38 batters he's faced.

The White Sox optioned Cannon to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cannon was competing for one of Chicago's final rotation spots, but he'll instead open the season in the minors, as Erick Fedde appears poised to begin the campaign with the White Sox. The 25-year-old Cannon made 17 starts for the White Sox last season and appeared in 22 total regular-season games, producing a 5.82 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 86:38 K:BB across 103.2 innings.

Vasil (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vasil was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game with right elbow soreness, and he'll now miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign. It's a big blow to the Chicago bullpen after Vasil pitched in 47 games for the White Sox last season, turning in a 2.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 82:52 K:BB across 101 innings as a multi-inning bulk reliever.

Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 120 feet three times this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jobe continues to slowly ramp up his throwing program, as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. There's a chance Jobe could pitch toward the end of the 2026 season, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see the Tigers keep Jobe shelved until spring training next year.

Effross (oblique) started a throwing program this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Effross was shut down from throwing earlier this month after being diagnosed with a strained left oblique. Once healthy, he's expected to open the season with Triple-A Toledo. The 32-year-old right-hander pitched in 11 regular-season games out of the Yankees' bullpen last season, logging an 8.44 ERA.

Manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he would be comfortable playing McMahon at shortstop in a regular-season game, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees have been giving McMahon some reps at shortstop during spring training and have apparently liked the results. The 31-year-old will open the season as New York's primary third baseman and isn't likely to see enough reps at shortstop to gain positional eligibility. McMahon shifted to a narrower stance during the offseason to help keep his hands a bit higher after posting a .214/.312/.381 slash line across 154 regular-season games last year.

Crawford (shoulder) is not included in the lineup for either of the Mariners' split-squad Cactus League games Tuesday.

Crawford was initially expected to return Tuesday, but a nagging shoulder issue is keeping him out of action. According to general manager Justin Hollander, the concern level regarding Crawford is "not high," per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Crawford has been dealing with the shoulder issue all spring. If he's unable to play Opening Day next week, Leo Rivas and Colt Emerson are options to man shortstop for the Mariners.

Butler (knees) is batting third as the designated hitter in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

It's the first game action of spring training for Butler, who was brought along slowly early in camp after he underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee in October while also receiving a PRP injection for tendinitis in his left knee around the same time. The 25-year-old is expected to play the outfield later this week, assuming there's no issues in his first spring action as a DH.