MLB Player News

Hill (wrist) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hill spent spring training recovering from offseason wrist surgery, but he's been able to resume throwing recently. However, the right-hander will miss extended time to begin the regular season while he continues to recover.

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.

Clarke threw five innings and 75 pitches in a simulated game on a back field Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Clarke, who has a 2.25 ERA in 12 Cactus League innings, is the leading candidate to replace the injured Zac Gallen (forearm) in the rotation. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo will discuss plans for the rotation going forward with coaches in the next few days, and Clarke's role will be one topic. His flexibility could be helpful, but the obvious need right now is replacing Gallen.

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.