MLB Player News
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Masataka Yoshida LF | BOS
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Managing back issue
Yoshida (shoulder), who was placed on the injured list earlier Thursday, will head to Boston to receive further consultation for a back injury, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
The severity of Yoshida's back injury remains unknown, but the team should provide an update once he's checked out back in Boston. Yoshida is already working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which limited him strictly to designated-hitter duties in spring training. Provided his back issue proves to be minor, Yoshida should soon be able to head out on a rehab assignment, where he'll likely pick up at-bats both as a DH and corner outfielder.
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Masataka Yoshida LF | BOS
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Hits injured list
The Red Sox placed Yoshida (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Yoshida still isn't able to play defense as he works his way back from a right shoulder labral repair surgery, so he'll get a late start to the season. He's ramping up his throwing and could be ready to begin a rehab assignment before long. With the Red Sox seemingly committed to Rafael Devers as their full-time designated hitter in 2025, Yoshida could have difficulty finding regular at-bats once he's healthy.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Resumes swinging bat
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Stanton (elbows/calf) has resumed swinging a bat but has "still got a ways to go" before he returns, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Stanton picked up a calf injury earlier this month, but it's tennis elbow in both arms that's the biggest culprit of a likely long-term absence. He does appear to finally be making progress, but there is no timetable for the designated hitter's return. Ben Rice is expected to be the Yankees' primary DH while Stanton is out.
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Mike Ford DH | MIN
Twins' Mike Ford: Fails to make Opening Day roster
The Twins didn't include Ford on their 26-man active roster ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals.
While attending camp as a non-roster invitee, Ford faced long odds to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, and he didn't do himself any favors by going 4-for-32 (.125 average) during Grapefruit League play. Assuming his minor-league contract doesn't contain an opt-out clause that would allow him to pursue free agency, the 32-year-old first baseman will likely report to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Shifts to injured list
Stanton (elbows) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
The veteran slugger's placement on the IL is a procedural move, as he remains sidelined indefinitely as he continues to deal with tennis elbow in both arms, in addition to a calf injury. Stanton has yet to resume baseball activities, and there's been no indication of when or if he'll be able to take the field in 2025.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Ready to go for Opening Day
Steer (shoulder) will be available for the Reds in Thursday's season opener versus the Giants, Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard reports.
The Reds had said previously that Steer would open the season on the 10-day injured list, but he's shown enough improvement with his right shoulder injury that he'll avoid an IL stint. Steer still isn't able to play the field, so he will be limited to designated-hitter duties initially.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Participates in exhibition
Steer (shoulder) was included in the lineup at designated hitter for Tuesday's exhibition game.
The Reds played against a group of their own prospects, and Steer played with the minor leaguers, who operated with a 10-player batting order to accommodate the 27-year-old. Steer missed most of the Cactus League season due to shoulder discomfort and he's tentatively expected to open the season on the injured list. Without Steer, the Reds will get by with a mix of Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Gavin Lux at DH and the corner infield positions.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: To man third spot in order
Alvarez will hit out of the third spot in the batting order to begin the 2025 regular season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Alvarez is no stranger to batting third in the order, having held down the No. 3 spot a total of 93 times a season ago (70 times against right-hander pitchers). This will allow Houston to slide Isaac Paredes into the second spot with the hope that he can get on base for Alvarez to drive in more runs. The slugger had a slightly down year in 2024 by his standards, finishing with 86 RBI after two straight seasons of driving in 97 runs.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Set for bullpen session
Ohtani is set to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Ohtani will throw off the mound for the first time since Feb. 25 as he gears up to make his return to the Dodgers' rotation at some point this season. The 30-year-old last pitched in 2023 with the Angels, posting a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 167 strikeouts over 132 innings in 23 starts. It's unclear if the team has a timeline for Ohtani's official return to the mound, but the expectation remains that it'll be during the 2025 campaign.