MLB Player News

Latz will compete for a spot in Texas' starting rotation this spring, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Latz, who served as a swingman in 2025, had a 2.93 ERA over 46.0 innings as a reliever and 2.72 ERA over 39.2 innings in eight spot starts. Those numbers indicate how valuable he was in a dual role; however, the left-hander will be given a shot at being a full-time starter. Latz said in January at the team's Winter Warm-Up that he wants to start, but his ability to excel at both jobs may be more valuable. Kumar Rocker is also in the mix for the final spot in the rotation. Cody Bradford (elbow) also would have been part of competition, but he's not due back until mid-May.

Hamel was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Hamel lost his spot on 40-man roster Wednesday but failed to draw any interest on the waiver wire. He struggled at Triple-A Syracuse a season ago, accruing a 5.32 ERA across 67.2 innings.

Shewmake was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Shewmake was booted from the 40-man roster Thursday after the Yankees claimed Osvaldo Bido off waivers. Shewmake appears destined to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A, where he hit .243 with four home runs, 29 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 85 games a year ago.

Ort (elbow) was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Ort lost his spot on the 40-man roster Friday after the club signed Brent Suter. After going unclaimed on waivers, Ort will report to Triple-A to prepare for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The status of his elbow remains unclear at this time.

The Tigers added Framber Valdez to the top of their rotation Wednesday, but Melton figures to stick in the No. 5 spot for now with Reese Olson (shoulder) uncertain to be ready for the start of the season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

After Detroit's splashy signing, the rotation figures to be led by Tarik Skubal, Valdez, Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty. Olson would likely be the No. 5 starter if fully healthy, but he is recovering from a right shoulder strain and last pitched in an MLB game in July, so the Tigers figure to be cautious with the righty early in the year. That could open the door for Melton, who impressed as a rookie in 2025 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 45.2 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.

Ortiz (personal) will remain on leave and is not permitted to report to spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Ortiz and teammate Emmanuel Clase were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave amid allegations of sports gambling last July. The two pitchers were subsequently indicted on charges in November related to an alleged scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. There remains no timeline for a resolution in each case.

Clase (personal) will remain on leave and is not permitted to report to spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Both Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave last July amid allegations of sports gambling. The duo were then indicted in November related to an alleged scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. There remains no timeline for a resolution in each case.

The Tigers signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Pilkington elected free agency last week after being booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The southpaw put up a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Washington last season and is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Toledo bullpen to begin the 2026 season.

The Angels re-signed Strickland (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strickland missed the entire second half of the 2025 season with a right shoulder strain and it's unclear what his current health status is. The veteran reliever held a 3.27 ERA in 19 appearances for the Angels before getting hurt, but a 14:10 K:BB in 22 innings didn't make a pretty picture. If healthy, Strickland could eventually work his way into a middle-relief role for the Halos, but an initial stint at Triple-A Salt Lake is likely.

Hader (shoulder) has been throwing lightly on flat ground and the Astros expect to have a better idea as to his status by the middle of this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Earlier in the offseason, Hader -- who missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain -- told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle that he felt "back to normal" and had been throwing off a mound. This latest update suggests there's less certainty about the closer's health, however. If it turns out that Hader had a setback or simply isn't ready, Bryan Abreu would be next in line for saves in the Houston bullpen.