MLB Player News

Kershaw said Thursday that he's "not 100 percent yet" but has felt good while throwing off the mound "a couple times" this spring since undergoing surgeries in November on his left big toe and left knee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw is unlikely to be cleared to pitch in games at any point during Cactus League play, as the southpaw has already acknowledged that he expects to begin the season on the 60-day injured list, which would delay his 2025 debut until at least late May. That said, he seems to have thus far avoided any snags during his spring throwing progression, and he could be cleared to resume facing hitters in live batting practice before camp comes to a close in late March.

Bart has gone 4-for-11 with two home runs and six RBI in Grapefruit League action.

Bart homered for the second consecutive game Wednesday, blasting a fastball over the fence in center field during a win over the Blue Jays. He's expected to be the Pirates' primary catcher in 2025, and his start to spring training has seemingly solidified that role.

Cruz has gone 3-for-12 with two home runs and three stolen bases across 12 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Cruz popped his second homer of spring on a hanging changeup during Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. He's showcased his fantasy-friendly profile early in spring thanks to his power and aggressiveness on the basepaths, though he's also struck out six times.

Romo is likely to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Albuquerque, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Manager Bud Black has praised Romo this spring for his improvement in blocking skills and in managing a game. However, Saunders suggests that the Rockies will opt to keep Hunter Goodman on the Opening Day roster thanks to his superior skills as a hitter. Even if Romo begins the season in the minors, there's a strong chance he'll be in Colorado at some point in 2025.

Smith (knee) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Thursday's Cactus League contest versus the Rangers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith was removed from Tuesday's game against the Reds after being hit on the left knee by a pitch, but his exit was deemed precautionary and he's back out there following a day of rest. The bigger worry for the 29-year-old catcher is an ankle injury suffered last year that lingered into camp this spring, although it's not expected to affect Smith's Opening Day availability.

Blalock could make Colorado's Opening Day roster as a starter or long reliever, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Blalock made his big-league debut with the Brewers and Rockies in 2024, throwing 30.2 innings, primarily as a starter. He struggled to a 5.87 ERA and 1.79 WHIP paired with a 20:20 K:BB. However, Blalock has impressed this spring, allowing only two earned runs with a 10:1 K:BB across nine frames. Saunders notes that Blalock's most likely role is in long relief, though he'd be an option for the rotation if Austin Gomber (shoulder) remains sidelined.

The Padres reassigned Wendelken to minor-league camp Thursday.

Wendelken had made 144 big-league appearances over stops with the Athletics and Diamondbacks from 2016 through 2022 before heading overseas and spending the last two seasons in Japan with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The 31-year-old right-hander returned stateside and inked a minor-league deal with the Padres over the winter, and after giving up five earned runs in 1.2 innings over his two Cactus League appearances, he was unable to win a spot in San Diego's Opening Day bullpen. Unless the Padres allow him to enter free agency, Wendelken will likely begin the upcoming season at Triple-A El Paso.

The Padres reassigned De Vries to minor-league camp Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 18-year-old De Vries and fellow teenage prospect Ethan Salas were among the 11 cuts the Padres made Thursday. De Vries posted an .803 OPS with 11 homers and 13 steals with Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2024 and could move up to High-A Fort Wayne in 2025.

The Padres reassigned Salas to minor-league camp Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Salas, 18, was a spring training invitee but always destined to return to the minors to begin the 2025 season. He's a gifted defensive catcher, but the top prospect slashed only .206/.288/.311 at High-A Fort Wayne in 2024, so he'll be looking to take a step forward offensively this season.

Senzatela has thrown eight scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk during Cactus League action.

Senzatela most recently threw three scoreless innings Wednesday against the Padres while hitting 97 mph with his fastball, per Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. He made a brief return from Tommy John surgery to close the 2024 season, throwing 12.1 innings. Senzatela is competing for a rotation spot this spring and has put forth a strong case for the role with his performance thus far.