MLB Player News

Rooker has been optioned to Minnesota's alternate training site, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

This is a surprise since Rooker appeared set to platoon in right field after the Twins sent Alex Kirilloff to the minors to begin the season. Rooker hit .243 (19-for-80) with three home runs this spring. He showed he's healthy after his 2020 season ended in mid-September due to a fractured right forearm that required surgery. He'll likely be called up sooner rather than later, but his window to win regular playing time may close quickly if the Twins call up Alex Kirilloff ahead of him. With Rooker sent to the minors, Kyle Garlick will likely begin the season in a platoon with Jake Cave in left field, with Luis Arraez also getting starts as well.

Choi suffered a setback in his recovery from right knee inflammation/soreness and will be checked out by a doctor Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays were previously optimistic that there were no structural issues with Choi's knee, though he's already received a pair of cortisone injections and was expected to open the year on the injured list. That seems all but confirmed now, though when exactly he's expected to return won't become clear until after his doctor visit. The Rays have a deep group of alternatives at the corner infield positions, with Yandy Diaz, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Mike Brosseau all potentially in line to benefit from Choi's absence.

Lewis (knee) won't play in Monday's Cactus League finale, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis has been sidelined over the past several days due to a left knee injury. Manager Scott Servais isn't yet sure whether Lewis will be available for Opening Day, but the team will be running some tests in the coming days to determine his status. If Lewis is held out to begin the regular season, Jake Fraley could shift to center field while Jose Marmolejos starts in left field.

Lewis, who was held out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive spring training game Friday due to a left knee injury, is recovering more slowly than anticipated, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "It's not coming along as quickly as I hoped or Kyle hoped or anybody else," Mariners manager Scott Servais said Friday afternoon. "We are staying patient... He's not 100 percent and I don't want to put him out there until he feels 100 percent, so that's why he's not out there (Friday against San Diego)."

Lewis' injury stems from a collision with the outfield wall in Monday's game against the Dodgers, and even though it was initially believed he'd be available to return to game action as soon as Wednesday, he remains sidelined with just two more Cactus League games left. Initial evaluations on the talented outfielder's knee have indicated there's no structural damage, but Servais confirmed Friday the team will be "running a few more tests" in coming days.

Choi, who took swings in the batting cage and played catch Wednesday, said Thursday his knee felt "back to normal", Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

It's encouraging the first baseman's knee appeared to tolerate Wednesday's activity well, but Choi will still begin the season on the 10-day injured list. Yandy Diaz and Yoshi Tsutsugo are slated to be the primary fill-ins at first base while Choi remains sidelined.

Martinez (illness) is starting in right field and batting third in Friday's spring game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The veteran slugger was sidelined the past couple days due to food poisoning, but he's back in the lineup Friday. Martinez should take up his usual post at designated hitter for the Red Sox come Opening Day.

Ohtani will hit in the leadoff or second spot in the order on days when he is in the lineup as a batter, Taylor Blake Ward of Locked on Angels reports.

Ohtani has been scorching at the plate this spring, slashing .571/.594/1.107 with five home runs and eight RBI. David Fletcher typically bats leadoff for the Angels, so Ohtani could be used most frequently in the second spot as a tablesetter for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

Martinez will sit for the second straight game Thursday against the Twins due to food poisoning, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Per manager Alex Cora, Martinez has been sidelined after eating some bad sushi earlier in the week. His absence shouldn't last much longer, however, as he'll be able to hit on a back field Thursday.

Jimenez will miss five to six months after being diagnosed with a ruptured left pectoral tendon, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez suffered the injury while attempting to rob a home run Wednesday. He'll undergo surgery and miss the majority of the season. The expected recovery timeline places his return date sometime between late August and late September. Leury Garcia and Adam Engel (hamstring) are the primary candidates to start in left field in his absence, though the White Sox could also look to bring in a free agent like Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig or Josh Reddick. The team is also considering trying Andrew Vaughn in left field, though he's been purely a first baseman in the minors.

Jimenez could be out for most of the year with a torn pectoral, Jim Duquette of Sirius XM Radio reports.

Jimenez was initially diagnosed with left shoulder discomfort after injuring himself while trying to rob a home run Wednesday, but it appears as though he might be dealing with a much more serious injury. The White Sox are expected to update his status Thursday afternoon. An extended absence would likely open up starts for Leury Garcia or Adam Engel in left field, though Engel is currently dealing with a strained hamstring.