MARCH 9 • MLB.COM
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Dairon Blanco - Set to play in MiLB game Blanco (Achilles) is scheduled to play three innings in a minor-league game Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Impact Blanco has been out of action since being scratched from the Royals' lineup ahead of a Feb. 24 Cactus League game against the Athletics due to right Achilles tendinitis, but he appears to be close to full health again after getting nearly two weeks off to heal up. Assuming he makes it through Sunday's contest without any setbacks, Blanco could make his return to the Cactus League lineup within the next few days. The 31-year-old is vying for a backup outfield spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Plassmeyer - Sent to minors camp The Rangers reassigned Plassmeyer to minor-league camp Sunday.
Impact Plassmeyer previously made three appearances at the big-league level with the Phillies between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but he pitched exclusively at the Triple-A level in the Pirates organization in 2024, logging a 7.75 ERA and 1.54 WHIP while striking out 83 batters over 67.1 innings. He caught on with Texas in December on a minor-league deal and received an invitation to big-league spring training, but he didn't perform well enough in camp to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely head to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the upcoming season, though it's unclear whether the 28-year-old lefty will work as a starter or reliever.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Cody Thomas - Cut from big-league camp The Rangers reassigned Thomas to minor-league camp Sunday.
Impact Thomas logged 78 plate appearances in the majors with the Athletics between the 2022 and 2023 seasons before spending the 2024 campaign in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Orix Buffaloes. He returned stateside over the winter and joined the Rangers on a minor-league deal, but he fell short in his bid for a reserve outfield gig with the big club. The 30-year-old outfielder is likely to report to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2025 campaign.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Carlos Estévez - Live BP on tap Estevez (back) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Tuesday before potentially making his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Impact The veteran right-hander has been brought along slowly during the first half of camp due to lower-back tightness, but he's now ramping up his throwing program and is on the cusp of game action. Assuming everything goes well this week, Estevez should be able to make a few spring appearances and be ready for Opening Day.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Winston Santos - Sent to Frisco The Rangers optioned Santos to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.
Impact Texas protected Santos from the Rule 5 Draft over the winter by adding him to the 40-man roster, but the 22-year-old righty is still in need of some further seasoning in the upper levels of the minors before making his MLB debut. He'll return to Frisco to open the 2025 campaign after he turned in a 4.89 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 57:14 K:BB over his 46 innings at the Double-A level following his late-June promotion from High-A Hickory.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Walter Pennington - Heads to minor-league camp The Rangers optioned Pennington to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Impact Pennington was one of three candidates for the Opening Day bullpen sent back to the minors Sunday, with lefty Jacob Latz and righty Cole Winn also getting optioned to Round Rock. The 26-year-old Pennington reached the majors for the first time in 2024 and made 16 appearances between the Royals and Rangers while turning in a collective 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB over 18 innings.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
