The 2025 MLB season has officially kicked off, featuring 28 of the 30 MLB teams on Opening Day. Highlighting the event are the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, last year's World Series participants. Notably, Lars Nootbaar stands out as the only USC alum on an active MLB roster, having played 109 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. Garrett Stubbs, previously the No. 2 catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, has been optioned to Triple-A. Other former Trojans like Kyle Hurt and Tyler Gilbert are sidelined with injuries, while Blake Sabol starts the season in Triple-A with the Boston Red Sox.

The roster also features notable coaches from USC, including Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, emphasizing USC's lasting impact in Major League Baseball.

The Chicago White Sox have made a significant move by acquiring left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league right-hander Aaron Combs. Gilbert, 31, comes off a season where he recorded a solid 3.24 ERA over six relief appearances with the Phillies.

To accommodate Gilbert on their 40-man roster, the White Sox designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment. Shewmake, who was brought in from Atlanta in a previous trade, struggled at the plate last season, hitting just .125 in 29 games.

Combs, a promising 23-year-old prospect, was drafted by the White Sox in 2024 and showed potential in Class A Kannapolis, allowing only two unearned runs in nearly eight innings of work. Gilbert's acquisition comes after he was designated for assignment by Philadelphia following the Phillies' trade for left-hander Jesús Luzardo from Miami.

The Chicago White Sox have made a strategic move by acquiring left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league right-hander Aaron Combs. Gilbert, who is 31 years old, had a solid 3.24 ERA during his six relief appearances for the Phillies last season, showing promise for his new team.

In a corresponding move, the White Sox designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment to create space on their 40-man roster. Shewmake, who was obtained from Atlanta in a trade last November, struggled significantly, hitting only .125 in 29 games for Chicago.

Combs, a 23-year-old right-hander, was drafted by the White Sox in the eighth round of the 2024 amateur draft. He had a brief stint in the minors, allowing two unearned runs over 7.2 innings with Class A Kannapolis. Gilbert was previously designated for assignment by the Phillies after they acquired Jesús Luzardo from Miami.

The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, bolstering their rotation. In exchange, the Marlins received two prospects, outfielder Emaarion Boyd and infielder Starlyn Caba, along with catcher Paul McIntosh.

Luzardo had a challenging season with Miami, posting a 5.00 ERA over 12 starts before an injury cut his year short. However, he was a key player in the Marlins' playoff run in 2023, achieving a 3.58 ERA over 32 starts.