MLB Player News

Urena agreed Thursday with the Mets on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Urena will give the Mets a swingman option after their rotation depth took a hit with recent injuries to Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (oblique). The 33-year-old made nine starts and 24 relief appearances with the Rangers last season, collecting a 3.80 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 70:39 K:BB across 109 innings.

Collier reported to camp in much better shape after improving his diet in the offseason, Charlie's Chalkboard reports. "I went into the offseason a bit overweight," Collier said. "They told me at instructs make sure you come in next year in shape and can play over a lot of games. I cut out the fast food, the sweet stuff and the snacks. I ate good meals. It's night and day. It allows me to be more mobile. It allows me to move and stretch a lot more and get a lot more of my legs in my swing."

Collier is already one of the Reds' better hitting prospects and posted a .798 OPS at High-A last year as a 19-year-old, and the improved conditioning should help as he moves into the upper minors. The 2022 first-round pick is in big-league camp but is likely to begin the campaign at Double-A Chattanooga.

Gorski is making a push to break camp as the Pirates' fourth outfielder and is also an option as a backup first baseman, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gorski was formerly a well-regarded prospect in the Pirates' system, but he's stalled at Triple-A Indianapolis for the last two seasons. Now 27, he has three home runs across six at-bats in three Grapefruit League games. Gorski is also working at first base with Spencer Horwitz (wrist) sidelined, though he still faces an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster given that he isn't on the 40-man roster.

McLain went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels.

McLain made his third Cactus League appearance, all coming as the second baseman. He's led off in two of those games, including Wednesday, and could be the leadoff batter against left-handers this season. The lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is expected to lead off against righties.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels.

Encarnacion-Strand has appeared in three games -- two at first base and one at third -- as the corner infield spots are not yet set. He and Jeimer Candelario have seen action at each corner thus far in Cactus League action, but C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic observed that Encarnacion-Strand has spent most of his time at first base during workouts while Candelario's logged plenty of time at third.

Abbott (shoulder) threw a side bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Abbott, who was already on a slower progression due to the shoulder, had added downtime due to an illness that kept him away from the team last weekend. It's unclear when he'll advance to facing hitters in a live batting practice session.

Lodolo allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Angels.

Lodolo looked out of sync as several pitches tailed high and outside, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The lefty's pitch count reached 26 after he issued his third walk, and manager Terry Francona opted to pull him mid-inning and have him come back an inning later. Lodolo was much better in his second frame, retiring the side in order on nine pitches.

Carroll went 2-or-4 with a home run, four RBI and two steals in Wednesday's spring game against the Brewers.

Carroll smoked a grand slam as part of the Diamondbacks' six-run second inning. It was the second consecutive game with a home run for the outfielder. Carroll has spoken about adjustments he made to his bat positioning during setup, which appear to have worked for him. He tinkered with that adjustment during the second half of 2024, when Carroll posted a .919 OPS, and continued to work on it during the offseason.

Montgomery (finger) threw 26 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday and plans to throw another one Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

If Montgomery comes out of Friday's session without issue, the next step will be facing live hitters on the backfields before entering a game setting.

Burnes allowed three hits and struck out three over two scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against Milwaukee.

Burnes made his second Cactus League appearance and pushed his pitch count to 29 (20 strikes). He told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that other than a couple of breaking balls he left over the plate, he was pleased. The right-hander has struck out six over three innings thus far.