MLB Player News

Rodriguez will make his spring debut against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Rodriguez had been scheduled to start the Diamondbacks' opener last Friday, but the team changed plans and had the left-hander throw live batting practice on the back fields. He's expected to serve as the No. 3 starter once the regular season begins.

Gallen will not start Friday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Gallen had been scheduled to make his spring debut March 1, but the Diamondbacks will opt to have the right-hander throw a simulated game on the back fields instead of making the trip west to Goodyear. There's no word yet on who will slot into Gallen's place for a spot start Friday.

Wesneski allowed four runs on six hits across 1.1 innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out one.

Wesneski got off to a rough start as he competes for the No. 5 spot in Chicago's rotation. The righty, who posted a 4.63 ERA across 34 games (11 starts) for the Cubs last season, should still have a handful of opportunities to make his case. Javier Assad, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks are likely the top competition at this point. Wesneski could have some fantasy value if he wins the job, though he'll need to be a little more consistent to really take a step forward in 2024.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that Hernandez (groin) is expected to be on the active roster for the team's two-game series against the Padres in South Korea on March 20 and 21, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez had double hernia surgery in October and is now getting a late start to camp after signing with the Dodgers on Monday. However, the team still anticipates the utility player having enough time to ramp up for its early series overseas. Hernandez should see plenty of starts against left-handed pitching for the Dodgers this season.

Lee (side) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lee had been in line to make his spring debut in the Giants' Cactus League opener this past Saturday versus the Cubs, but he was scratched from the lineup due to side soreness. After a few days of recovery, however, the 25-year-old looks like he'll be ready to go Tuesday. He'll immediately settle in atop the lineup, which comes as little surprise after manager Bob Melvin said earlier in spring training that he expects Lee to serve as the Giants' primary leadoff man versus both right- and left-handed pitching this season.

Crawford signed a contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The longtime San Francisco Giant will head to St. Louis, where he will back up youngster Masyn Winn at shortstop. Crawford -- who turned 37 last month -- remains a good defender but has managed a lowly .216/.293/.332 over the last two seasons. The addition of Crawford could indicate some skepticism of Tommy Edman's (wrist) readiness for Opening Day, as he had been projected to be Winn's backup.

Hernandez (groin) confirmed via social media Monday that he agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers.

Multiple reports suggested that a deal between Hernandez and the Dodgers was close, and the veteran utility man verified himself that the deal is done. The Dodgers suddenly had a need for a right-handed hitting outfielder after trading away Manuel Margot earlier Monday, and Hernandez can fit that bill along with offering infield protection, as well. He had just a .599 OPS in 86 games for the Red Sox last season but finished much stronger with the Dodgers in posting a .731 OPS in 54 contests. Hernandez underwent double-hernia surgery in October but is expected to be healthy when he reports to spring training.

Thompson will have his elbow re-evaluated early this week, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander has yet to throw in camp after reporting soreness when he first arrived, and if the elbow hasn't improved with rest, Thompson could potentially be facing Tommy John surgery. "Keeping my fingers crossed," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday. "To be honest with you, I'm a little concerned." Thompson showed flashes last year of becoming a high-leverage option in the team's bullpen, but he finished the 2023 season with a 5.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 54 innings.

Butto gave up three hits over two scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The 25-year-old right-hander got his spring off to a good start as he battles for an Opening Day spot with the Mets. Butto looked good at the end of last season in the majors, posting a 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB over five starts and 27.1 innings, but his 5.93 ERA and 1.63 WHIP at Triple-A Syracuse in a larger sample (91 innings) are concerning. He's battling with Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and others in camp for one of the team's open rotation jobs.

Gomber (back) is slated to start Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He's expected to work two innings before turning the game over to a cadre of relievers. Gomber didn't make any appearances after Aug. 28 last season due to lower-back inflammation, but he seems to have received a clean bill of health heading into spring training. After agreeing to a one-year, $3.15 million deal with the Rockies in the offseason to avoid arbitration, Gomber's rotation spot should be fairly secure heading into Opening Day.