MLB Player News

Ramirez was removed in the bottom of the fourth inning of Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies after being hit by a pitch in the left hand, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's possible the Rays simply removed Ramirez for precautionary purposes, but he'll presumably be checked out in the locker room by the training staff before the team provides an update on the severity of his injury. Ramirez rejoined the Rays over the past weekend following a recent stint with Team Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani's next start start will come Friday in a minor-league game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani will pitch in a game on the backfields in Arizona where the Angels will be able to control the environment. The two-way star is returning to spring camp after winning MVP honors for both his pitching and hitting work in the just-concluded World Baseball Classic that his native Japan won for the third time. Ohtani likely won't pitch in any more Cactus League games with the season just a week away, but he looks ready to roll for a big 2023 campaign.

Jimenez (calf) will serve as the White Sox's designated hitter and cleanup batter in Wednesday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez exited early in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks due to what the White Sox labeled as right calf camping, and fortunately for the 26-year-old, the issue wasn't anything more severe than that. After getting Tuesday off to rest and rehydrate, Jimenez is good to go one day later. In an effort to keep Jimenez healthy following consecutive injury-riddled campaigns, the White Sox could have him see an even larger share of his work out of the DH spot rather than the corner outfield in 2023. Jimenez made 50 starts as a DH and 30 as a left fielder last season.

Ruf (wrist) is starting at first base and batting sixth in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Ruf has battled through wrist issues during spring training and is 3-for-23 in seven contests. A move to the injured list to begin the season has been mentioned for the 36-year-old, who also struggled after being acquired by the Mets at last year's trade deadline with a .413 OPS. Even if he sticks on the Opening Day roster, Ruf's opportunities are likely to be limited as a right-handed platoon and bench option.

Buxton will be used at DH "a vast majority of the time" to begin the season, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Buxton went 1-for-3 with a double while at DH in his major league spring training debut Tuesday.

Buxton had been playing in minor-league games the past week. Buxton underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in late September, and the Twins are being very careful about easing him into action this spring. Buxton hasn't had any issues, but the Twins sound like they are going to take it cautiously with his return into the start of the regular season. Unfortunately, that could mean frequent days off and few stolen-base attempts, though keeping him healthy for a full season would still pay dividends for fantasy owners. Michael Taylor may get more playing time in center field to begin the season as a result.

Ohtani fired a scoreless inning with a strikeout to pick up a save to give Team Japan a 3-2 win over Team USA in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic final.

He also went 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate. Ohtani was named Most Valuable Player for his efforts in the tournament, as he hit .435/.606/.739 through seven games and also registered a 1.86 ERA in a pair of appearances. The strikeout was notable, as he fanned Mike Trout to end the contest and gave Japan their third WBC title in five tournaments. He did walk Jeff McNeil, but then got Mookie Betts to hit into a double play before fanning his Los Angeles teammate. Ohtani, Trout and the rest of the MLB players will now head to their spring training homes to get ready for the season.

Pederson was scratched from the Giants' Cactus League lineup Tuesday due to lower-body tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's being called a precautionary measure and probably had a lot to do with the forecast of rain across parts of Arizona. Pederson can safely be considered day-to-day.

Jimenez (calf) is expected to return to the White Sox's Cactus League lineup Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez set off alarm bells when he exited Monday's game with a right calf injury, but it's merely cramps and he's fine now. The slugger is sitting out Tuesday in what was already a scheduled off day, but he'll be back in there in one of the team's split-squad lineups Wednesday.

Buxton is making his Grapefruit League debut for the Twins on Tuesday against the Rays.

The Twins have slow-played Buxton this spring, having him get in most of his work in drills and minor-league games. He's ready to finally play in an official game Tuesday and will be batting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Brantley (shoulder) isn't expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley has been brought along slowly this spring after undergoing right shoulder surgery last August, and he also was away from camp for a spell due to a personal matter. The 35-year-old has since rejoined the Astros, but because he didn't spend much time going through baseball activities while he was away from the team, he appears to have run out of time to get fully ramped up before the opener. It's unclear how much time he might miss, but fantasy managers should plan for a minimum of a couple weeks in the likely event that he's placed on the injured list. With Brantley and Jose Altuve (thumb) out, the top two spots in the Houston lineup have been opened up.