MLB Player News

Wilson (shoulder) played catch from 90 feet Saturday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Wilson threw for the first time since exiting Monday's game with a trainer, and he reportedly felt great after his throwing session. While it doesn't appear as though Wilson will be ready to pitch in time for Opening Day, the team still hasn't determined whether he'll require time on the injured list to begin the regular season.

Ottavino could step in as Boston's closer to begin the regular season after Matt Barnes tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Manager Alex Cora announced Barnes' positive test result Saturday and said that the team hasn't yet determined its pitching plans to begin the regular season. However, Ottavino would be the most likely option to handle ninth-inning duties while Barnes is sidelined as long as Ottavino doesn't have to go through contact tracing. Ottavino was competing for the closer's job during camp and tossed 5.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts during five Grapefruit League appearances.

Andriese was scratched from his spring start against the Pirates on Saturday due to contact tracing, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora announced Saturday that right-hander Matt Barnes has tested positive for COVID-19, and Andriese is one of several members of the organization who will be away from the team due to contact tracing. Andriese is expected to serve as a swingman for Boston this year, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return to the team in time for Opening Day.

Barnes has tested positive for COVID-19, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Barnes tossed 5.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts this spring and most recently pitched Thursday, but he'll now be away from the team following his positive test result. He isn't experiencing any symptoms, but manager Alex Cora said that Barnes will be away from the team for approximately 10 days. Adam Ottavino is a strong candidate to receive save chances over the first few games of the regular season while Barnes is sidelined.

Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Jimenez closed out nine games in 2019 and led the Tigers with five saves in last year's shortened season, but he will not be part of the late-inning mix to open the 2021 campaign and will not even break camp with the big club. Jimenez figures to be called up at some point this season, but he presumably will need to show some results before being considered for save opportunities again.

Hendriks struck out all three batters faced in a perfect inning Friday against the Brewers.

Hendriks pitched for the first time in nine days after passing a kidney stone. The ordeal did not seem to affect him, as he fanned all three batters faced and pulled it off with what he referred to as a "natural hat trick -- strikeouts with the fastball, slider and curveball," per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. He'll next pitch Sunday, which Hendriks said will have him ready for the regular season.

Sewald was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

Sewald was a non-roster invitee during spring training after signing a minor-league contract with the Mariners in January. However, the right-hander was unable to secure a spot on the major-league roster after he posted a 9.64 ERA and 2.36 WHIP in 4.2 innings during five spring appearances. Sewald will likely begin the year at Triple-A Tacoma.

Tapia (oblique) threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Friday afternoon and consistently kept his fastball in the 97-98 mph range, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The encouraging outing marked Tapia's first appearance since straining his oblique March 8. The amount of time the right-hander has missed has likely eliminated any chance of making the Opening Day roster. Tapia, who posted a 2.08 ERA across 4.1 innings in his first five big-league appearances with the Red Sox last season, could definitely log time in the majors at some point in the 2021 campaign.

Akin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Akin started six games for the Orioles last year but will begin the 2021 campaign in the minors. The southpaw made four appearances (two starts) for Baltimore this spring and allowed 10 runs on 15 hits and seven walks while striking out 14 in nine innings.

Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Garcia was competing for a rotation spot with Domingo German this spring, but it appears as though German will begin the season as the Yankees' fifth starter. Garcia had some issues with his command this spring and allowed seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits and eight walks while striking out 14 in 14 innings. He'll attempt to sort things out with the Triple-A club but could return to the majors at some point in 2021.