MLB Player News

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Friday that he plans to use Helsley strictly in ninth-inning save situations this season, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

There will be some instances when Helsley will be required to pitch in non-save situations, but Albernaz views the righty as a "one-inning guy" rather than someone who could come into games earlier for more than three outs. While it will result in a lighter workload for Helsley, it's probably the best thing for his fantasy outlook.

Mancini was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup versus the Guardians due to illness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Mancini -- who is in Angels camp as a non-roster invitee -- should be ready to return to action in a day or two. Donovan Walton will sub in at designated hitter for Mancini on Friday.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday on Foul Territory that Correa (neck) would move to shortstop if Jeremy Pena (finger) isn't available for Opening Day.

Pena's status for the opener hasn't been determined yet, as he will have his fractured right ring finger reevaluated in two weeks. If he requires a trip to the injured list, Correa will slide over to his familiar shortstop position and Isaac Paredes will be installed at third base. Correa is dealing with a minor injury of his own, having been scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup with a stiff neck, but it's not expected to be a long-term concern.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday on Foul Territory that, if Jeremy Pena (finger) isn't ready for Opening Day, Carlos Correa (neck) would shift to shortstop and Paredes would start at third base.

Pena has been diagnosed with a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger and will be reevaluated in two weeks before it's known whether he has a chance to be ready for the opener. Paredes doesn't have a clear path to a starting job when the Astros' crowded infield is healthy, but Pena's injury could open the door to everyday playing time for Paredes, at least on a temporary basis.

Wisdom went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a second run scored in Thursday's Cactus League matchup against the Padres.

After starting the spring 1-for-10 in four games, Wisdom's gone 4-for-6 with a pair of homers in his last two contests. The 34-year-old signed with the Mariners as a non-roster invitee after spending the 2025 season in the KBO, where he posted an .856 OPS with 35 home runs in 119 games. Wisdom was never going to earn a starting job with Seattle, but the veteran is still looking to make the Opening Day roster as a bench piece.

Yesavage could face a workload restriction to begin the season, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays have been pitching Yesavage in live batting practice sessions rather than games so far this spring, and there's no timeline for when he will appear in a Grapefruit League contest. Manager John Schneider noted Friday that "we still view him as a starter," but the righty could be limited to 3-to-4 innings per start early in the season. Toronto is being careful with Yesavage's workload after he threw 139.2 innings across all levels in 2025, including the postseason -- a 46.1-inning jump from his final collegiate season in 2024.

The Guardians optioned Gomez to minor-league camp Friday.

Gomez was added to the 40-man roster over the winter but never had a real chance to win an Opening Day roster spot. The righty coughed up four runs on five hits and a 1:4 K:BB over 3.1 innings in Cactus League play.

The Guardians optioned Peterson (triceps) to minor-league camp Friday.

Peterson suffered a right triceps strain in late February and will not be ready for the start of the season. Once healthy, he'll be ticketed for the rotation at Triple-A Columbus.

The Angels optioned Sandridge to minor-league camp Friday.

The left-hander has made two Cactus League appearances for the Angels, permitting five runs over two innings of work. An offseason trade acquisition, Sandridge posted a 4.55 ERA and 47:17 K:BB over 31.2 frames last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization in 2025.

The Angels optioned Fermin to minor-league camp Friday.

The 24-year-old has had a rough spring, yielding five runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. Fermin made 40 appearances for the Halos last season and should still play a role in their bullpen in 2026.