MLB Player News

Vodnik pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Vodnik allowed two earned runs in his prior outing Saturday, so this was a needed bounce-back performance. That inconsistency is a microcosm of his entire spring, however, as he's allowed three earned runs across five innings -- albeit with a 5:1 K:BB. Vodnik is a candidate to earn the closer role in Colorado, though Tyler Kinley has had a more impressive spring.

Woodruff (shoulder) will pitch in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff was able to pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday -- his first taste of game action since undergoing surgery on his shoulder in October 2023. He touched 94 mph with his fastball and left his outing feeling encouraged despite giving up three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Sticking true to a traditional four-day rest schedule, he's set to last at least one inning against the Guardians on Sunday. He'll then gradually build up his workload during the remainder of the Brewers' Cactus League schedule followed by a rehab assignment at one of Milwaukee's minor-league affiliates.

Beck is being pushed for a roster spot by Nick Martini, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Beck was a projected regular between right field and DH entering spring training. However, he's hitting just .212 with 13 strikeouts across 33 at-bats in Cactus League action. That could be enough to convince the team that Beck needs more seasoning in the minors, though Harding still projects that the young outfielder will make the team with a starting role to begin the regular season.

Veen went 2-for-2 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, the homer went 441 feet. Veen is now hitting .290 across 31 at-bats this spring, with a pair of home runs and four stolen bases. While Jordan Beck is the frontrunner to start in right field, manager Bud Black has said he wants to see production while determining roles to begin the season, and Veen has made a strong impression.

Goodman has moved ahead of Drew Romo for a roster spot to begin the regular season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Goodman began spring training competing for a roster spot and was reportedly only in line to play a few times per week behind the plate. However, Harding relays that Goodman has focused on his defense and improved with the help of veteran Jacob Stallings, particularly in his game calling and framing. Goodman has also gone 7-for-19 at the plate in Cactus League action, including three extra-base hits, which helps his case for an expanded role.

Pages may begin the season as the Dodgers' starting center fielder following Hyeseong Kim's option to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Pages hasn't had an outstanding spring, slashing just .214/.313/.321 with four RBI and three runs scored across 32 plate appearances. However, the demotion of Kim to Triple-A could force Tommy Edman to move to second base, which would leave Pages as the best remaining option to cover center field. Another possibility would be allowing Miguel Rojas to take over as the Dodgers' primary second baseman while Edman remains in the outfield and Pages on the bench, though manager Dave Roberts hasn't tipped his hand as to his preferred alignment.

Steele (illness) allowed seven runs on 10 hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He struck out three.

After being scratched from his scheduled start last week due to flu-like symptoms, Steele got bumped back to Tuesday and struggled with the extra time off, allowing three home runs in the short outing. The lefty finishes the spring with a rough 9.35 ERA across three appearances. Despite the poor showing in the Cactus League, Steele is slated to start the Cubs' second game of the regular season March 19 against the Dodgers in Tokyo.

Brujan will travel with the Cubs for their two-game series against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Jesse Friedman of MLB.com reports.

Brujan will serve as infield depth in Tokyo with Nico Hoerner (forearm) not making the trip. Rule 5 pick Gage Workman also made the roster. Hoerner's eventual return could squeeze both players out of the picture, but for the time being, Brujan appears set to see time at second base alongside Jon Berti, while Workman will also be in the mix. All three players could also see time at third, though top prospect Matt Shaw is seemingly the top option there.

Workman will travel with the Cubs for their two-game series against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, Jesse Friedman of MLB.com reports.

With Nico Hoerner (forearm) not making the trip, Chicago is filling out its infield depth to start the regular season with Workman and Vidal Brujan, along with veteran utility player Jon Berti. Hoerner's eventual return will complicate things, but with Workman joining the Cubs as a Rule 5 pick, he may end up sticking around in an MLB bench role unless the team is willing to lose him. The 25-year-old impressed during spring training with a 1.201 OPS, three home runs and 13 RBI across 15 games.

The Dodgers reassigned Rushing to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Rushing has breezed his way through the Dodgers' minor-league system and had a real chance to open the year on the Opening Day roster after slashing .273/.396/.511 over 169 Triple-A plate appearances in 2024. Instead, the Dodgers will give him a few more looks in the minors to start 2025, but he could certainly break through into Los Angeles if he continues to dominate in Triple-A.