MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Hodge (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Hodge came down with a right flexor strain in early March. He is aiming to play catch around April 1, but he'll have been shut down nearly a month by that time, so the buildup will take a while.

The Orioles placed Holliday (hand) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Holliday was unable to play in any Grapefruit League games after requiring a procedure Feb. 12 to remove the fractured hamate bone from his right hand, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The 22-year-old appears to be making solid progress in his recovery, as he was able to take live batting practice last week without incident. He's likely trending toward a mid-April return from the IL.

The White Sox placed Baldwin (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

After Baldwin's right elbow injury was previously described as soreness, the White Sox are officially listing him with a right elbow sprain, suggesting that he's dealing with ligament damage. Even if Baldwin doesn't wind up requiring surgery, the utility player might be looking at an extended absence.

The Rockies placed Ohl (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Ohl underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in late February. If the Rockies bring him back as a reliever, he has a chance to be ready in time for the start of next season.

Romano could be a top candidate to open the season as the Angels' closer after the team placed Kirby Yates (knee) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

The Angels haven't disclosed a plan for the late innings, but with Yates joining Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Robert Stephenson (elbow) on the shelf, Romano and southpaw Drew Pomeranz are left as the most likely options for the ninth. Romano has endured a rough past two seasons, but he has past closing experience, twice earning 36 saves with Toronto, and has shined this spring with a 6:0 K:BB and only one earned run allowed in six innings. Pomeranz, meanwhile, has never recorded more than four saves in a season and struggled during exhibition play with a 4:4 K:BB and five earned runs allowed in 4.2 frames.

The Orioles placed Akin on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left groin strain.

Akin was diagnosed with the groin strain following an MRI earlier this week, after he had initially experienced the injury while warming up for a Grapefruit League game last Saturday. The Orioles haven't provided a timeline for Akin's return, but he won't be eligible to make his 2026 debut until April 6 after landing on the shelf.

The Phillies placed Lazar (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Lazar strained his left oblique during World Baseball Classic play, and as a result, will get a late start to the season. Manager Rob Thomson indicated previously that it's a minor strain, so Lazar could be ready to return when first eligible April 6.

The Rockies placed Veen (knee) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Veen suffered a knee contusion in early March and was sidelined for the closing stretch of spring training, so it's not a major surprise he won't be available to begin the season. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut and batted .118 in 37 plate appearances last year, and he could be headed back to Triple-A Albuquerque once healthy.

The White Sox designated Lee for assignment Wednesday.

The White Sox elected to sign Reese McGuire this past weekend, which has pushed Lee off the roster. He's just a .193/.234/.321 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons, but there's a good chance Lee will find work soon from a club seeking catching depth.

The Orioles placed Westburg (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Westburg isn't expected to be ready to make his season debut until at least early May while he recovers from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. Per MLB.com, Westburg has been running, fielding grounders and taking one-handed swings as of last week, but he has a few more checkpoints to hit in the recovery process before he'll be ready to head out on a rehab assignment.