MLB Player News

De La Cruz went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's spring game against the Royals.

De La Cruz mashed a two-run, opposite-field home run in the first inning and followed it up with a five-pitch walk and a hard-hit single. The De La Cruz of previous years may have tried to take another bag after the ball trickled into short center field, but he stayed at first base and eventually came around to score on an Austin Hays double. The home run was De La Cruz's fourth this spring.

Martinez allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over one inning in Thursday's spring game against the Athletics.

Martinez worked the seventh inning following other closer candidates Kevin Ginkel (fifth inning) and A.J. Puk (sixth). Manager Torey Lovullo indicated Wednesday that he's still mulling the decision as to which of the three will be his primary option in the ninth inning when the games begin to count. This was the second time in eight Cactus League appearances that Martinez has allowed runs, upping his spring ERA to 6.43. Although the small samples mean little, that is much higher than the ERAs of Ginkel (1.50) and Puk (1.29).

Gallen allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Athletics.

Gallen made his final Cactus League start a few hours after he was tabbed for the Opening Day assignment by manager Torey Lovullo. The right-hander threw 73 pitches (43 strikes) and told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that he was more in sync during this outing than in previous starts. Next up for Gallen is Thursday's regular-season opener against the Cubs.

Mlodzinski allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings in a Grapefruit League game March 15 against the Orioles.

Mlodzinski is being stretched out as a potential starter this spring, throwing 64 pitches in Saturday's outing. His chances of actually being a member of the rotation seemed slim given the strength and depth of the Pirates' rotation, though Johan Oviedo (lat) is already on the 60-day injured list and Jared Jones' (elbow) status is uncertain. If Jones opens the season on the injured list, the Pirates will need a fifth starter. Thomas Harrington is still in camp and seems a likely candidate, though Mlodzinski has maintained a decent 8:3 K:BB across 9.2 frames this spring and could be called upon.

Gomber (shoulder) will start Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Gomber has been sidelined by a sore shoulder since early March, and the team announced Thursday that he will begin the season on the injured list. He'll reportedly be ready for his debut by mid-April, and the fact that he'll take the mound Saturday supports a quick return to action.

Williams cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Williams was battling for a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day bench, but he ultimately missed the cut after going 5-for-32 with three RBI and five runs scored in 16 spring games. He doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so his demotion to Triple-A will cost him his spot on the 40-man roster.

The Padres placed Musgrove (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Musgrove will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, so the Padres will strip him of his spot on the 40-man roster and give it to camp standout Gavin Sheets. Musgrove has been working out using plyometric balls this spring, but he isn't expected to begin a proper throwing program until around midseason.

The Padres selected Sheets' contract from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Sheets has done a fantastic job proving he belongs on the Padres' Opening Day roster since signing an NRI deal with the club in February, slashing .311/.367/.756 with six homers and 12 RBI over 19 games. He's now officially been rewarded with a spot on the 40-man roster and has a good chance to open the season as the Friars' go-to DH against right-handed starters. Joe Musgrove (elbow) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Peguero is a candidate to join the Giants' bullpen during the 2025 campaign, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Peguero, a non-roster invitee to spring training, has made eight appearances in Cactus League play, allowing one walk with eight strikeouts across 6.2 scoreless innings. The right-hander's high-octane stuff has been on display thus far, and he has topped out at 102 MPH this spring. The 27-year-old has yet to make his major-league debut, though his impressive velocity has made him a candidate for a call-up. "We're certainly not ruling him out," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's a credit to him for not only opening some eyes but continuing to do it." Peguero registered a 3.14 ERA and 56:17 K:BB over 51.2 innings with the Tigers' Double-A affiliate in Erie last season, and he will likely start the 2025 campaign with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.

Estrada (head) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Estrada last played on Saturday, when he had to be lifted from the game after being struck in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base. Estrada didn't suffer any known concussion and is now ready to go after a few days of rest. Estrada will be the Rockies' primary second baseman in 2025.