MLB Player News

Perez might be the biggest beneficiary of an absence for Matt Vierling (shoulder), who is slated to begin the season on the injured list, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vierling is out indefinitely with a strained right rotation cuff muscle, and while he was going to see time at multiple positions, the lion's share of his playing time was projected to come in right field. That spot might now go to Perez, who could also see action in center field if Parker Meadows (biceps) needs to miss time. Perez slashed .242/.300/.383 with nine homers and nine steals across 112 regular-season games in 2024.

Mayer started at third base and went 3-for-3 with a triple, a home run and three RBI during Thursday's spring game against Detroit.

The Red Sox flexed their prospect muscle Thursday, bringing Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell along for a road game. Mayer had the best performance of the bunch and heeded manager Alex Cora's advice early by delivering a run on a first-inning triple to left-center. "We were talking about his swing today," Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "In BP, he was rotational. He was pulling everything, and I talked to him a little bit. His first BP a few weeks ago, he was driving the ball to left-center, and that plays. I know we live in an environment where we preach 'Pull the ball in the air,' but he can drive the ball to left-center." Mayer eventually got his "pull" on, belting a two-run home run over the right-field fence in the fifth. He's likely to start the season at Triple-A Worcester, which would be his first exposure to the highest level of the minors.

With Parker Meadows (biceps) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both banged up in camp, Perez could see more playing time in center field to start the year, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Meadows is simply dealing with some inflammation, so he seemingly should be able to return to start the regular season, though the Tigers may be cautious with him. Vierling, meanwhile, is having his shoulder injury evaluated and more details should emerge in the next few days. Depending on the availability of either player, Perez stands to see more playing time in center field in the early going. The 25-year-old slashed .242/.300/.383 across 112 regular-season games last year during his MLB debut. Perez is also an option to see regular playing time in right field, especially when Meadows and Vierling are healthy and patrolling center.

Walcott (arm) went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Walcott experienced soreness in his arm earlier in the week but recovered enough to enter Thursday's game as the designated hitter. He went on to tally his first Cactus League homer and is expected to be able to return to defensive work in the next few days.

Montgomery was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians due to back spasms, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The White Sox are labeling Montgomery's removal as precautionary, so the young infielder doesn't seem to be dealing with anything too serious. He'll take Thursday off to rest and likely return to Cactus League play within a few days.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Thursday that Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day but should make his season debut "soon after" in April, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The expectation has been that Neto would need a stint on the injured list to start the season, so Washington relaying that the shortstop is tracking toward a return in April is relatively good news. Neto underwent right shoulder surgery in November and began a throwing progression early last week. It's not clear when Neto might be cleared to play in games, but Washington's timeline suggests the 24-year-old could see some Cactus League action before the schedule runs out. Luis Rengifo, Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery are among those competing to fill in at shortstop for the Angels until Neto is ready to go.

Muncy will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Muncy didn't make any appearances after Aug. 22 last season due to an unspecified injury, but he looks to be back to full health for spring training. The 22-year-old shortstop prospect has gone hitless with one walk over five plate appearances through his first three Cactus League games. Muncy is expected to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Manager A.J. Hinch said that Baez (hip) will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Blue Jays as the Tigers' designated hitter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The hope is that he'll be ready to play the field next week. Baez underwent a right hip labral repair last September and has been a bit behind schedule early on in camp, but he is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day. The veteran infielder is likely in store for a reduced role this season with Trey Sweeney expected to serve as the Tigers' primary shortstop.

Holliday has been working on his footwork at second base with Orioles guest coach Brian Roberts, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Roberts and Holliday are both former shortstops who have made the move to second base, and the 21-year-old is still getting a handle on some of the intricacies of his footwork on the other side of the second-base bag. Holliday has referred to Roberts' tutelage as "very helpful," with his new setup helping the accuracy and quickness of his throws. Roberts has also helped Holliday with his baserunning as the young infielder looks to steal more bases in 2025. Holliday is the heavy favorite to open the season as the Orioles' primary second baseman.

Barger (hand) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

A hit-by-pitch Sunday prompted X-rays, which were negative. Barger is now ready to return to action and continue his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a utility man. He split his time on the major-league roster last season between third base (36 games), right field (27 games) and left field (10 appearances).