MLB Player News

Jobe pretty much pitched to a draw with one of his idols; he got one more out than Max Scherzer, though he did wind up with five fewer strikeouts (six to one). Jobe has a 3.12 ERA through three starts and is making a strong case for a spot in Detroit’s rotation. It’s just a matter of whether the Tigers want to give him one now or back off him for a bit in April in the hopes of saving some bullets for the stretch run.

The Royals had no choice but to subject Hernandez, who is out of options, to waivers after he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. The Phillies claimed the 28-year-old right-hander on Sunday. Hernandez had a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 innings this spring, but had a 3.30 ERA and 3.50 FIP in 30 innings out of the bullpen in 2024.

Pratto and Velazquez were subjected to waivers, but both managed to go unclaimed and were sent to Triple-A. The Royals have cleared three 40-man roster spots with Carlos Hernandez being claimed by the Phillies. Pratto and Velazquez will serve as minor league depth in case the Royals have an injury at the major league level.

While there was previous concern that Gelof still might not be ready for Opening Day despite negative X-rays on his hand, it’s now been confirmed that he has a hook of the hamate fracture in his right hand. The 25-year-old second baseman will have surgery and there’s no timetable for his return. Luis Urias is the obvious internal candidate to fill in for Gelof at second base.

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.