MLB Player News

Wow. According to an official release from the team, Moreno has initiated a “formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the team.” Moreno purchased the Angels for $184 million back in 2003 and has overseen a tumultuous recent period in the franchise’s history in which the club hasn’t made the postseason since 2014.

It’s a best-case scenario for Arizona’s starting catcher after being scratched from Friday’s lineup with forearm tightness. The 26-year-old backstop underwent additional imaging that didn’t reveal anything serious. He’ll presumably take some time off over the final stretch of camp to allow the swelling to subside and figures to be ready for Opening Day.

White Sox manager Will Venable confirmed to reporters that Newcomb will operate in relief to open the season after battling for a spot in Chicago’s rotation during camp. The decision makes it a near-lock that both Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde will make the Opening Day rotation. There’s zero fantasy intrigue here but it’s worth noting that the White Sox are going to give a few veterans some run before they consider promoting a top prospect like Hagen Smith or Noah Schultz.

Lovelady returns to New York after spending a couple months with the division-rival Nationals. The 30-year-old southpaw compiled an inflated 8.49 ERA (5.80 xERA) over 11 2/3 innings across 10 appearances between the Mets and Blue Jays last year.

Hagenman will be on the shelf until at least late May after suffering a fractured rib in camp. The 29-year-old a pedestrian 4.56 ERA (4.15 xERA), 1.10 WHIP and 23/2 K/BB ratio across 23 2/3 innings over nine appearances (one start) for the Mets last year.

Hernández was one of the few big leaguers in Miami’s lineup for this early-afternoon contest as he continues to battle for an Opening Day roster spot as a platoon outfielder against left-handed starters. The 26-year-old is tentatively penciled into the Marlins’ season-opening mix capable of pairing with young right fielder Owen Caissie and Griffin Conine at DH.

Ryan was among candidates to start a potential WBC championship game after being added to Team USA’s pitcher pool earlier this week. That’s no longer happening. The 29-year-old Twins ace has been battling a back issue this spring but it doesn’t sound like this specific decision was made for health-related reasons. According to Leach, Ryan wasn’t an option to pitch in relief during a potential WBC finale, so the decision was made to go in a different direction with the roster spot. He’ll presumably be ready to take the ball when Minnesota kicks off the regular season later this month.

Keirsey was in Braves camp as extra outfield depth and won’t make the club’s season-opening roster, even after left fielder Jurickson Profar was hit with a 162-game PED suspension. The 28-year-old got into 74 games for the Twins last year and is more of a defensive specialist than anything else. He could be up as a temporary stopgap at some point during the season.

The move paves a relatively unobstructed path for veteran Adam Frazier to open the year as the Angels’ starting second baseman. Technically, Oswald Peraza, Nick Madrigal and Vaughn Grissom remain in the mix but they’ve struggled this spring and make more sense in bench roles. Los Angeles took Moore with the eighth-overall pick back in 2024, one spot before Pittsburgh grabbed baseball’s current top prospect Konnor Griffin. The 23-year-old second baseman has hit just .198/.284/.370 with seven homers in 53 games at the highest level and has struggled to emerge as an everyday option.

It’s a potential worst-case scenario and a crushing blow for Stephenson, who previously underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2024. The 33-year-old veteran reliever suffered a setback earlier this week after experiencing nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms during the offseason. He’ll visit with Dr. Meister to evaluate his options and determine whether he’ll be able to pitch at all this season. The most likely outcome is some kind of surgical procedure if he’s dealing with UCL damage. He’s no longer in the mix to close for the Angels with Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz the leading candidates.

Speaking with reporters for the first time since undergoing a cleanup procedure on his left shoulder earlier this week, Gonzalez expressed confidence he’ll be ready to return when first eligible in late May. The 29-year-old infielder was placed on the 60-day injured list earlier this week. His absence creates a short-term platoon issue for the Red Sox at the cold corner because he was one of their most effective bats against left-handed pitching last year.