MLB Player News

Gil completed 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League start against the Mets on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

Gil gave up a solo homer to Jared Young in the second inning but was otherwise sharp. He threw 48 pitches (33 strikes) and averaged 94.5 mph on his fastball, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Gil is essentially a lock to begin the season in the Yankees' rotation since Gerrit Cole (elbow), Carlos Rodon (elbow) and Clarke Schmidt (elbow) are all expected to begin the campaign on the injured list.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that Blanco has been cleared of a full concussion but will be limited to light activity over the next few days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Blanco was struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. He will continue to be evaluated but appears to have avoided a serious injury. The speedy Blanco is competing for a reserve role with the Royals.

Montgomery was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Rockies due to illness.

It's a precautionary move, as Montgomery should be fine to return to action in a day or two. The White Sox will replace Montgomery in Monday's lineup with William Bergolla, who will cover shortstop and bat ninth.

Jensen started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Brewers.

Jensen was out of the lineup for the Royals' first two games before making his spring debut Sunday, grounding out in his first two at-bats before pulling a single into right field in the sixth inning before being lifted. One of the most highly touted catching prospects in baseball, the 22-year-old mashed during his brief stint with the Royals in 2025, slashing .300/.391/.550 with nine extra-base hits and 13 RBI across 20 games in September. The presence of franchise icon Salvador Perez is worth noting, but Jensen should still see regular action in the Kansas City lineup in 2026, whether behind the plate or at designated hitter.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Harris has been shut down due to forearm tightness, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It's unclear when the injury first cropped up, but it effectively ends Harris' long shot bid for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster. The right-hander held a 4.15 ERA and 43:21 K:BB across 39.0 innings with Triple-A Worcester in 2025.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Samaniego (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

A tight back prevented Samaniego from making his Grapefruit League debut over the weekend as planned, but the lefty hasn't been shut down and looks like he could be cleared to pitch in a game in the near future if he feels fine following Tuesday's throwing session. Though he occupies a spot on the Red Sox's 40-man roster, Samaniego doesn't look like a serious threat to join Boston for Opening Day and is expected to begin the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Worcester.

Hendriks (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Hendriks underwent right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery last September, and this appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since that operation. The 37-year-old made only 14 appearances for the Red Sox in 2025, collecting a 6.59 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings. Hendriks is in Twins camp as a non-roster invitee, but if he looks sharp this spring he could push for a leveraged bullpen role.

Falter allowed a hit and no walks across two scoreless innings in Sunday's Cactus League win over the Brewers. He did not record a strikeout.

Falter got the start Sunday and delivered a clean outing, allowing just one baserunner on a 77.8 mph single by Jake Bauers in the second inning. The southpaw didn't record a strikeout, though that's not especially surprising given his low-90s fastball and 5.8 K/9 across 125.1 innings last season. After finishing 2025 on the injured list with a left biceps contusion, it's encouraging to see the 28-year-old healthy and without restrictions this spring. With a deep group that includes Noah Cameron, Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert competing for rotation spots, Falter is a strong candidate to open the year in a long-relief role for the Royals.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Areinamo is slated to undergo further imaging on his right hamstring in the coming days and will likely miss "a little bit" of time, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Areinamo has had a history of soft-tissue injuries during his minor-league career, so the Rays will seemingly proceed cautiously with the 22-year-old infielder after he tweaked the hamstring during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. The Rays should have a clearer timeline for when Areinamo might be ready to play again once the results of the MRI are read. Tampa Bay added Areinamo to its 40-man roster over the winter, but he's expected to open the season at either Triple-A Durham or Double-A Montgomery.

McNeil (shoulder) started at second base and went 1-for-1 with a walk in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

McNeil suited up for the first time as a member of the Athletics and reached base in both plate appearances, though he also committed a fielding error before being lifted Sunday. The veteran underwent thoracic outlet surgery shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 season, so his early participation in spring is an encouraging sign. The 33-year-old hit .243/.335/.411 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 54 RBI across 122 regular-season games with the Mets last year and will look to produce for his new club in 2026, likely entrenched at second base to open the campaign.