MLB Player News

Drury was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup due to a bruised left hand, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's unclear when Drury suffered the injury, but he'll be held out for at least one spring game. The 32-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox during the offseason and is expected to be included on the Opening Day roster given his 1.260 OPS during spring training.

Farmer is expected to handle the bulk of the second-base reps for the Rockies to begin the season while Thairo Estrada (wrist) is sidelined, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Estrada will miss 4-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, so Farmer will be given a lengthy look. The 34-year-old slashed only .214/.293/.353 last season with the Twins, but he could be relevant in deeper leagues while playing half his games at Coors Field. If Farmer struggles out of the gate, it could open the door for prospect Adael Amador to get another look.

Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees now have 24 hours to either add Smith to their roster or release him. Smith has looked good this spring, posting an .857 OPS with three home runs this spring, but the Yankees have more of a need for right-handed bench bats than lefty ones, which could work against the 29-year-old.

Drury was scratched from the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Reds for unspecified reasons.

The 32-year-old was penciled in to start at first base but will instead sit out Friday's contest. After signing a minor-league contract with the White Sox in February, Drury has given himself a chance to make the Opening Day roster with a 1.260 OPS in 13 spring games.

Goldschmidt (back) said Friday that he expects to return to the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Goldschmidt missed his target date to return, as he had hoped to play Thursday or Friday. However, he said his sore back is close to 100 percent and the decision was made to give it another day. Goldschmidt remains confident he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.

Goldschmidt (back) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Friday's contest against the Tigers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Goldschmidt had targeted either Thursday or Friday for his return to Grapefruit League play, but that goal wasn't met. There's no cause for concern yet, as the Yankees are likely just exercising caution with the veteran first baseman. The club might have more on Goldschmidt's status later Friday.

Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

He crushed a pitch from Miguel Castro over the left-field fence in the sixth inning. It was Alonso's first long ball this spring, but he also has four doubles among his nine hits while batting .220 (9-for-41) with a 7:8 BB:K. The slugging first baseman appears to be getting his timing down just in time for Opening Day.

Pasquantino went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's spring training loss to the Giants. He's hitting .238 (10-for-42) with two home runs this spring.

Pasquantino is locked in as Kansas City's starting first baseman and No. 3 batter, and it isn't worth looking too closely at his spring numbers. More important than the spring production, the 27-year-old is healthy this spring after suffering a broken thumb that limited him late last season.

The Cardinals released Redmond on Wednesday.

Redmond will enter the open market after spending six years in the Cardinals organization. The 28-year-old reached Triple-A for the first time last season, where he slashed .200/.297/.354 across 74 plate appearances. He may have a shot at signing with another club as minor-league depth, but his chances of reaching the big leagues are slim.