MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Wednesday that Headrick (forearm) is fully healthy for the start of spring training, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Headrick closed 2025 on the Yankees' injured list while recovering from a left forearm contusion, but he was able to make seven rehab appearances at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in September and appears to have had a normal offseason. The 28-year-old southpaw will be competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen and will likely work in middle relief if he breaks camp with the big club.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Wednesday that Cabrera (ankle) was fully healthy for the start of spring training, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Anthony Volpe (shoulder) was the only position player that Boone said would begin camp behind the others while recovering from an injury, so Cabrera will seemingly be operating without any restrictions this spring after fracturing his left ankle May 12 and undergoing season-ending surgery. Cabrera started 30 of the Yankees' first 41 games last year at third base, but with Ryan McMahon currently sitting atop the depth chart at the hot corner, Cabrera will likely be ticketed for a utility role.

Stephenson said Wednesday that he's about a week behind schedule after dealing with a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms this offseason, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson insists that he feels good now, and with a bullpen session set for later this week he's not worried about missing Opening Day. The veteran reliever missed all of 2024 following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he made only 20 total appearances in 2025 due to more arm problems. It's positive news that Stephenson is currently in a good spot, and he will be among those in the mix to close games for the Angels in 2026 if he can stay healthy. That said, he remains a major health risk.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will play regularly against lefties in addition to righties this season, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees re-signed Paul Goldschmidt last week, giving Rice a potential roadblock to everyday playing time at first base. However, while Goldschmidt will be given starts against lefty hurlers as a short-side platoon option, Rice is still expected to see plenty of action versus southpaws. Boone also noted that Rice could see a little playing time at catcher on days Goldschmidt starts at first base.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Stanton (elbows) has had a great offseason and will not have any restrictions at the start of spring training, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Stanton's 2025 season debut was delayed until mid-June by tennis elbow in both arms. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported last week that the injuries haven't healed and Stanton will need to be monitored closely again in 2026. However, at least at the beginning of camp, Stanton appears to be good to go. The 36-year-old was superb when on the field last season, slashing .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs across 77 regular-season contests.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cole (elbow) could pitch in some Grapefruit League games before the end of camp, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Cole missed the entirety of the 2025 season following Tommy John with internal bracing surgery last March. He's been throwing since August and will progress to live batting practice session in a couple weeks, with game action a possibility later in March. However, while Cole's rehab has gone as well as could be expected, the Yankees don't expect him to rejoin their rotation until late May or early June.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Wednesday that Eflin (back) will be a full participant as spring training gets underway, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eflin missed the final two months of 2025 due to a back injury that he addressed with lumbar microdiscectomy surgery Aug. 18, but he was cleared to resume throwing off a mound in early January. Baltimore re-signed the veteran righty on a one-year, $10 million deal in October, so Eflin should be ticketed for a back-end rotation spot.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Wednesday that Selby is expected to begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

He's not dealing with any structural damage, but Selby will be sidelined indefinitely as the Orioles allow the inflammation in his shoulder to subside. Selby yielded five runs with a 14:2 K:BB over 14 frames with Baltimore in 2025 and, once healthy, is slated for a middle relief role.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias confirmed Wednesday that McDermott (back) will prepare in spring training to handle a relief role during the 2026 season, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

McDermott made a spot start for the Orioles in his 2024 big-league debut, but after battling a shoulder injury to close out that season and then a lat strain to begin the 2025 campaign, he struggled to find his form. The right-hander then sustained a minor elbow issue in July and ended up shifting to a relief role over the final two months of the season between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk. McDermott was placed on the injured list Sept. 23 due to back discomfort, but he appears to have had a healthy offseason. With the Orioles' starting candidates in generally good health entering 2026, McDermott isn't needed as rotation depth will have to make his mark out of the bullpen during the spring in order to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Mayo has been working out at third base early in Orioles camp and could see playing time at the position if Jordan Westburg (oblique) shifts to second base to cover for Jackson Holliday's (hand) expected absence to begin the season, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mayo didn't see any action at third base with the big club from June on last season, focusing on first base and designated hitter instead. However, with Holliday slated to begin the season on the injured list and with offseason pickup Pete Alonso locked in as the Orioles' everyday first baseman, Mayo is being reconsidered as an option at the hot corner. The likelier scenario seems to be Blaze Alexander picking up Holliday's reps, but Mayo could change minds with a strong Grapefruit League showing.