MLB Player News

Morton (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out ten.

Morton had the strikeout pitch working Thursday, recording double-digit punchouts for the first time since 2023. However, the veteran right-hander fell victim to the home-run ball early, giving up a pair of two-run homers to Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell in each of the first two innings. Morton has now given up nine runs through his first two starts (8.1 innings) with Baltimore. He'll look to get in the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Arizona.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that LeMahieu (calf) is "about a week away" from taking live at-bats, SNY.tv reports.

Boone added that it would be "a pretty big build-up" for LeMahieu, who needs to go through the equivalent of a full spring training as he works his way back from a left calf strain. With that rough timeline, it would seem LeMahieu can safely be ruled out for the remainder of April. Oswaldo Cabrera has been serving as the Yankees' primary third baseman this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Williams (personal) will be activated from the paternity leave list Friday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Williams will miss a third straight game Thursday while tending to more important family matters, but he will be back to resume closer duties for the weekend series in Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old gave up one run but recorded a save in his lone appearance this season.

Barrios is facing a lengthy absence for High-A Bowling Green due to an elbow injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Barrios' absence is expected to stretch into at least May, as he is reportedly further behind Xavier Isaac (elbow), who is due back in late-April. Barrios, whom the Rays acquired from Milwaukee last year for Aaron Civale, is a glove-first shortstop prospect who hit .288 with one home run and 36 steals in 104 games at High-A in 2024.

Triple-A Durham placed Keegan on the 7-day injured list with an elbow injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

He was back to throwing by mid-March but opened the year on the shelf. Keegan is the best hitter of the Rays' catching prospects, but his defense is suspect and could limit his playing time in the majors. Keegan hit .285/.371/.435 with nine home runs and a 20.4 percent strikeout rate in 104 games last year as a 23-year-old at Double-A.

Gillen is dealing with a calf injury and could join Single-A Charleston in three weeks, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Gillen's first spring in pro ball was significantly limited by this calf injury, and he had shoulder surgery and dealt with knee and wrist injuries while in high school, so he's developing a track record of missing time. When healthy, he showed he was one of the best pure hitters from the prep ranks in the 2024 draft class. After selecting Gillen with the No. 18 overall pick, the Rays moved him from the infield to center field due to his fringe-average arm.

Wells is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

Wells receives a well-earned breather after starting each of the Yankees' first five games at catcher. J.C. Escarra will be behind the plate, batting eighth Thursday.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

It's the first day off this season for Goldschmidt, who had batted leadoff in each of the last four contests. Ben Rice will be at the top of the batting order and playing first base for the Yankees in Thursday's series finale.

Curet is dealing with a right shoulder injury, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Curet was placed on the 60-day injured list in late-March with an undisclosed injury, and there's now a bit more information available, though there isn't a timetable or a specific diagnosis. He is already on the 40-man roster and needed to prove this season that his fantastic finish to 2024 (1.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 106:29 K:BB in 73.2 innings over his final 15 starts) was no fluke and that he has the command to start. It's possible the Rays will fast-track him to the bullpen this year or next, but Curet has the upside to close games if he doesn't make it as a high-strikeout starter.

Isaac (elbow) is on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Montgomery and could be activated in late April as he builds up his throwing, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

He underwent a precautionary MRI on his left elbow back in February and was able to get into spring games in early March, but he aggravated the injury and missed the Spring Breakout game and looks like he'll end up missing about six weeks due to the injury if he avoids further setbacks. Isaac has a lot to prove after striking out at a 40.6 percent clip in his first exposure to Double-A pitching as a 20-year-old.