MLB Player News
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Kyle Schwarber LF | PHI
Phillies' Kyle Schwarber: Goes yard from cleanup spot
Schwarber 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 7-3 extra-inning win over Washington.
Batting out of the No. 4 spot in Philadelphia's lineup, Schwarber played the part of a prototypical cleanup hitter with a go-ahead, solo homer in the seventh inning. The star slugger has recorded at least 100 runs scored in each of his past three seasons while working primarily as a leadoff hitter, but any drop in runs while hitting cleanup would likely be offset by the added RBI opportunities.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Starts as DH
Steer started at designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Giants.
Steer was a surprise to open the season on the active roster, but an Austin Hays calf injury this week prompted a roster shuffle. Steer's shoulder kept him out most of spring training. and he managed to get just seven plate appearances. As such, there could be some rust early on.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Rangers' Joc Pederson: On bench for opener
Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.
Pederson is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season, but he'll take a seat Thursday while the Red Sox send southpaw Garrett Crochet to the bump. Corey Seager is managing a calf injury and will get a day off from shortstop and step in as Texas' DH.
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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.