MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Yoshida (shoulder) threw out to 90 feet Tuesday but still has "a long way to go" before he's ready to play the corner outfield, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Coming off October surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Yoshida is operating with no restrictions at the plate this spring, as he's made nine starts in Grapefruit League play as a designated hitter while producing a .321 average and .785 OPS over 28 plate appearances. However, because Rafael Devers (shoulders) won't be cleared to play third base before the end of the spring and appears set to open the season as Boston's primary DH, the Red Sox are unlikely to make room on the active roster for Yoshida if he's not an option in the outfield. Yoshida will likely continue to extend his throwing distance over the final week of the spring, but he appears ticketed for a stint on the injured list to begin the season. He'll presumably need to play left field in a few minor-league rehab games before the Red Sox are comfortable activating him.

Alvarez was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Nationals due to right thumb soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez banged up the thumb during batting practice Sunday, and while he played in the game that day, he arrived at the park Tuesday with some discomfort. Astros manager Joe Espada expects Alvarez to be ready to play Wednesday against the Mets.

Kjerstad went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit and is now batting .257 (9-for-35) with one home run, six RBI and one stolen base this spring.

The 2020 first-rounder appears to be on track for a bench role to begin 2025, but Kjerstad's most likely pathway to regular at-bats looks to be blocked at the moment by veteran slugger Ryan O'Hearn at designated hitter. With that said, O'Hearn has gone just 4-for-30 with a lone extra-base hit during spring training, and he could start to feel Kjerstad nipping at his heels for work at some point if his struggles carry into the regular season. Kjerstad could be hard-pressed to find reps in the outfield early on, with Colton Cowser going 12-for-31 with two homers, six RBI and two steals in exhibition action.

Garver (hand/wrist) went 0-for-2 with one walk in his return to the lineup during Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

After being hit in the hand by a pitch in Monday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Garver was back in action Saturday as the cleanup hitter. The veteran slugger has excelled this spring, batting .400 (8-for-20) with three home runs and six RBI. With Mitch Haniger dealing with a shoulder injury, Garver is mainly competing with Donovan Solano for at-bats as Seattle's primary designated hitter.

Manager Aaron Boone told reporters Friday that Stanton is working through a calf injury in addition to tennis elbow in both arms, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Stanton has returned to Yankees' spring training camp after traveling to New York on Monday to receive a third round of platelet-rich plasma injections in his elbows. His most recent calf injury was called "fairly minor" by Boone, but it's yet another issue that Stanton will need to rehab through. The tennis elbows are the more pressing and severe issue, and it's possible that Stanton undergoes surgery and miss the entire 2025 season.

The Astros plan to rarely use Alvarez in left field this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez played 53 games in left field in 2024, a number that manager Joe Espada wants to reduce in 2025. That plan has been made clear by the likely shift of Jose Altuve into left field, though there are still question marks with Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick in center and right field, respectively. Espada's hand could be forced if that duo underperforms again, but Alvarez's lengthy history of knee injuries is clearly on the mind of the team.

Pederson started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's Cactus League game against Cincinnati.

Pederson walloped a three-run homer in the first inning. It was his third of the Cactus League and second driven to the opposite field. Pederson is expected to mostly see time at DH in 2025, but he'll get opportunities to fill in for Jake Burger at first base.

Garver said Wednesday that his hand/wrist feels about 80 percent healed, and he hopes to take some swings within the next few days, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

X-rays on Garver's hand/wrist came back negative after he exited a Cactus League contest Monday when he was hit by a pitch, but he's dealing with some bruising and swelling and will miss a few games. As long as the issue doesn't linger, he'll be fine for Opening Day. Garver has three home runs and a 1.420 OPS this spring and is in line for significant playing time at designated hitter for the Mariners.

Garver had X-rays on his hand/wrist come back negative Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 34-year-old was hit by a pitch during his second plate appearance Tuesday and appears to have avoided a serious injury, though he'll be further evaluated Wednesday to see whether a CT scan is necessary. Garver should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

The Mariners are awaiting X-ray results on Garver's hand/wrist after he had to exit Monday's Cactus League game versus the Brewers following a hit-by-pitch, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Garver homered in his first plate appearance Monday before getting plunked in his second trip to the dish, forcing his exit from the contest. He's gone deep three times and posted a 1.420 OPS this spring, and, if healthy, could open the season as Seattle's primary designated hitter. The Mariners should have more information on Garver's condition later Tuesday.