MLB Player News

Almonte (shoulder) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Almonte had a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 15.2 innings with Chicago last season before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery in July, and he's now back with the organization after he elected free agency in November. It's unclear where the right-hander currently stands in his recovery and rehab, but he was initially expected to return midseason in 2025.

Kopech (forearm) is throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The right-hander has had a delayed start to spring training due to forearm inflammation but is ramping up his throwing program. Kopech is in danger of being unavailable for the season-opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and 19, with the Dodgers' domestic opener March 27 being a more realistic return target.

The Mets placed Reid-Foley on outright waivers Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reid-Foley got off to a promising start last year, posting a 1.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 21.2 innings, but his season was cut short in late June due to a shoulder injury. The Mets will now look to create space on their 40-man roster by outrighting him to Triple-A Syracuse. The waivers are irrevocable, however, so if one of the other 29 clubs puts in a claim on the 29-year-old righty, he will no longer be a Met.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Henriquez won't be ready for the start of the season due to a metatarsal injury in his left foot, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Henriquez was seen in the Dodgers' clubhouse Tuesday with a walking boot on. Roberts didn't offer any additional information regarding the severity of Henriquez's injury, though it's apparently serious enough to warrant ruling him out for Opening Day already. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed one earned run in 3.1 regular-season innings with the Dodgers last year, and he had been a candidate to begin 2025 in Los Angeles' bullpen amid all the injuries to the team's pitching staff.

The Mets reassigned Ortega to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Ortega signed with the Mets and received a camp invite in November, but he's officially bound for the minors after starting Grapefruit League play 1-for-8. The 33-year-old outfielder will likely spend most of the season in Triple-A Syracuse as organizational depth.

Pallante permitted one hit and struck out a pair over three scoreless frames in Tuesday's Grapefruit League outing against the Mets.

The bottom line was much improved from Pallante's first spring start when he allowed four runs and walked two in an inning of work. However, Pallante has yet to find the pep on his fastball this spring, with the velocity on his four-seamer down 1.7 mph from last year and the velocity on his sinker down 2.4 mph. It's not overly worrisome yet in early March, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Koperniak went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Koperniak is having a nice spring thus far after being added to the 40-man roster this offseason, going 5-for-16 with one homer, one stolen base and a couple walks. The 27-year-old slashed .309/.370/.512 with 20 home runs in 2024 at Triple-A Memphis and is likely headed back there to start this season, although it's possible he could push for a reserve spot if Jordan Walker's knee injury forces him to miss time.

Garrett cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was designated for assignment by the Nationals last week but will stick in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Garrett appeared in just two MLB games last season and spent most of the campaign at Rochester, where he had a .674 OPS in 71 contests.

Walker was removed from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals in the third inning with a pain in his left knee, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Walker appeared to tweak his knee while chasing down a flyball in the second inning, as he was seen grimacing and grabbing at his leg after the play. He struck out in his lone plate appearance before exiting. Walker will be re-evaluated once the Cardinals return to their spring training complex.

Capra went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and a stolen base in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Reds.

Few players have been as hot this spring as Capra, who is now up to four homers and two steals in just 17 at-bats. The journeyman has appeared in just 20 big-league games and figures to open the regular season with Triple-A Nashville, but he does occupy a spot on Milwaukee's 40-man roster, so he remains in the mix for the time being.