MLB Player News

Pederson started at first base and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Most of Pederson's contributions came during the Rangers' nine-run first inning. Batting second in the lineup, he walked and scored Texas' second run then finished the scoring with his home run. The Rangers made it a goal to infuse power to the lineup in the offseason and added Pederson (23 homers in 2024) and Jake Burger (29 homers). Pederson should mostly serve as the DH against right-handers but could also spell Burger at first base.

Stanton (elbows) returned to New York for further consultation and testing, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton won't be participating in baseball activities in the near future, and teammate Aaron Judge indicated Monday that he just wants a healthy Stanton "in the middle of the season." Given that it doesn't sound like the team has a great handle on Stanton's pain in both elbows and Judge's quotes Monday, fantasy managers should consider Stanton out indefinitely. Stanton's absence opens up an opportunity for someone like Ben Rice, Oswaldo Cabrera, Everson Pereira or J.C. Escarra to earn more playing time early in the season.

Manager Aaron Boone said Sunday said Stanton (elbows) won't resume baseball activities in the immediate future, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

The veteran slugger hasn't swung a bat in weeks while dealing with tennis elbow in both arms, which is an injury he also played through last season. Stanton indicated that he's been experiencing a significant amount of pain, and it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by Opening Day.

Rooker (forearm) is batting second as the Athletics' DH in Sunday's Cactus League contest against Colorado.

Rooker underwent right forearm extensor surgery last October, but the expectation was always that he'd be healthy by the start of spring training. That appears to be the case given the 30-year-old's presence in the lineup for the Athletics' second game of the exhibition slate. Rooker is slated to bat near the top of the team's order in 2025 after exploding for a career-best 39 home runs, 112 RBI, 82 runs and 11 stolen bases while posting a .927 OPS last year.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that there's no timetable for when Stanton (elbows) will resume baseball activities, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Stanton is dealing with tennis elbow in both arms and has not swung a bat in several weeks. He battled the same issue with both elbows last season, as well, but the discomfort has reached a point to where he and the team decided shutting things down for a while was necessary. Stanton's availability for Opening Day is in question.

Pederson (illness) returned to Rangers camp Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pederson was away from the club for a few days while battling the flu, but he's now recovered and ready to resume workouts. The 32-year-old's first Cactus League game might be delayed a bit since he's a tad behind, but he will have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Jimenez lost 25-to-30 pounds over the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Rays this offseason following a 2024 campaign that he referred to Sunday as a "disaster." Manager Kevin Cash said that Jimenez is "really, really motivated" and will get some reps in the outfield and even at first base in addition to competing for at-bats at designated hitter.

Pederson will be away from Rangers camp for a few days while battling the flu, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 32-year-old will get a bit of a late start to spring training, but his bout with the illness shouldn't prevent him from being ready to go for Opening Day. Pederson is slated to serve as Texas' designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season, though Grant relays that the Rangers also intend to give Pederson some work at first base this spring to see if he's capable of making occasional starts at the position when Jake Burger requires a day off.

Stanton disclosed Monday that he hasn't swung a bat in 3-to-4 weeks and is dealing with a "very high" level of pain in both elbows, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton is dealing with tennis elbow in both arms, which is something he battled for much of last season, as well. The veteran designated hitter admitted that he's not sure that he will be ready in time for Opening Day. If Stanton requires a stint on the injured list, the Yankees could mix and match with some of their regular position players in the DH spot.

Manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Stanton will be moved along slowly early in spring training due to discomfort in both elbows, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The skipper compared the issues to tennis elbow, which Stanton also played through down the stretch last season. The veteran slugger still has nearly six weeks before Opening Day, but it could be an ominous early development for a player that has seen action in fewer than 120 regular-season games in each of the past three seasons.