MLB Player News

Lowder was slowed last week by right elbow soreness at the outset of camp, so it’s extremely positive to see him able to resume throwing without any issues. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect is vying for one of the final spots in Cincinnati’s season-opening rotation and will need to impress in Cactus League outings to break camp in the majors.

Suarez played catch Saturday, but there remains no timetable for his return so a trip to the injured list isn’t exactly surprising. With the 29-year-old left-hander sidelined, Taijuan Walker is set to be the Phillies’ fifth starter and he’ll start the sixth game of the season.

Drury had the option to test free agency if he wasn’t selected for the White Sox’ Opening Day roster and he exercised that right Sunday. The 32-year-old infielder was having a great spring and seemed like a lock for Chicago’s roster before he broke his thumb. It’s unclear when Drury might be able to play again or what his plans are going forward.

Newcomb appears to have won the competition with Quinn Priester for the Red Sox’ fifth starter job with the latter being sent to Triple-A. The 31-year-old left-handed pitched sparingly for the Athletics out of the bullpen over the last two years, but was excellent with an 0.63 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13/3 K/BB ratio in 14 1/3 innings this spring. Newcomb’s value is limited to an endgame selection in AL-Only leagues.

Priester lost out on the Red Sox fifth starter job to Sean Newcomb this spring. The 24-year-old former first round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates had a 4.82 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 9/7 K/BB ratio in 9 1/3 innings in spring training. Priester will head to Triple-A and serve as a depth option for an organization already dealing with many pitching injuries.

Drafted by the Brewers in 2012, Haniger debuted with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him in a trade for Gerardo Parra, in 2016. He was involved in another high profile trade as the Mariners acquired him along with Jean Segura for Ketel Marte and Taijuan Walker prior to the 2017 season. Haniger spent six years in Seattle, where he made the All-Star team in 2018. After opting out of the 2020 covid-shortened season, he came back and hit .253 with 39 home runs and 100 RBI in 2021. Now 34, Haniger has struggled in the three seasons since ’21 and is currently out with a shoulder injury. Despite his release, he’s still set to collect $15.5 million this year, though it’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the line for him.

Capra, 28, has just 37 career plate appearances at the major league level, all coming in the last three years with the Blue Jays, Pirates and Brewers. He crushed five home runs in spring training and made the team over Caleb Durbin as a reserve infielder. Capra figures to be the short-side of a platoon with Oliver Dunn at third base to start the season.

Maile exercised the opt-out clause in his contract after he was informed that he didn’t make the Royals’ Opening Day roster. The 34-year-old backstop hit .333 with one home run and three RBI in 10 games this spring. Maile hit just .178 with two home runs and eight RBI in 53 games with the Reds in 2024. He’ll look to catch on with another organization in need of catching depth.

Stripling exercised the opt-out clause in his contract after he was informed that he didn’t make the Royals’ Opening Day roster. The 35-year-old right-hander has struggled in recent years with a 5.36 ERA in 2023 and a 6.01 ERA in 2024. Stripling didn’t exactly cover himself in glory this spring with a 14.63 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 2/1 K/BB ratio in eight innings. He’ll look to catch on with another organization, but will probably have to settle for another minor-league deal.

Barger was in the mix for a bench role in spring training, but is headed back to the minors with Alan Roden somewhat unexpectedly making the roster. The 25-year-old hit .367 with three home runs and six RBI in 15 games this spring, but it wasn’t enough to make Toronto forget he hit .197 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 69 games last year. Given his versatility, it’s likely Barger will appear in the majors this season, though he’ll have to improve his hitting to garner everyday at-bats.

Liberatore beat out Michael McGreevy with a 1.62 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 9/4 K/BB ratio in 16 2/3 innings this spring. The 25-year-old left-hander owns a 4.99 career ERA in 91 appearances mostly out of the bullpen for St. Louis. Liberatore’s fantasy value is limited to NL-Only leagues to start the year.