MLB Player News

Lee (back) didn't participate in on-field pregame drills Saturday and is not expected to play in Sunday's spring training game, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He had an MRI on his back Friday, MLB.com reports.

Lee hasn't played since he was scratched from Thursday's game due to lower-back tightness. If he misses more time, there's a good chance he'll begin the season on the injured list. Assuming any absence isn't lengthy, Lee looks set to get the bulk of playing time at third base with Royce Lewis likely out several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Stewart (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list as he builds up to be ready for the regular season, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He threw 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday.

Stewart departed his last Grapefruit League appearance March 15 with a left hamstring issue, but he's since returned to action, most recently throwing 20 pitches in a minor-league game Saturday. Due to the time he missed in camp, however, the Twins will proceed slowly with Stewart, who could be activated to make his 2025 debut at some point in the first half of April.

Kirk signed a five-year, $58 million contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal will buy out Kirk's final year of arbitration in 2026 and then keep him with the team for an additional four years. Kirk has maintained a 109 wRC+ and improved his defense consistently over the course of his big-league career. He is set to be the Blue Jays' primary catcher in 2025.

McClanahan (triceps) will miss the start of the regular season, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

McClanahan exited Saturday's Grapefruit League game with a triceps injury, an unfortunate development as he was attempting to return from his second Tommy John surgery. He is undergoing imaging that will reveal a more specific timeline, though the nature of the injury doesn't offer significant reason for optimism.

Jones was traded from the Rockies to the Guardians in exchange for Tyler Freeman on Saturday, SI.com reports.

Jones came up through the Guardians' minor-league system and had a fair amount of expectations as a prospect. He had a breakout 2023 season in Colorado after being dealt by Cleveland, only to fall flat in 2024 while playing through injuries. Jones will look to bounce back in his reunion with the Guardians and should occupy a large-side platoon in right field.

Escarra was informed Saturday that he will be on the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

Escarra has had an impressive spring, maintaining a .936 OPS with five extra-base hits across 48 at-bats. It was reported Tuesday that he was in line to make the team as the backup to Austin Wells, and that is now officially the case. In 2024, Escarra maintained a 119 wRC+ across 493 plate appearances combined between Double and Triple-A.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson "sounded optimistic" that Robles would be OK after the outfielder was hit by a pitch on his right hand and forced to exit Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. However, Robles will still need to undergo an X-ray and possibly other tests.

Robles appeared to be in considerable pain after taking a slider to the wrist in his fourth plate appearance Saturday. This initial word is positive, but Robles is not out of the woods yet. He is looking to build on his excellent run with Seattle last season, during which he slashed .328/.393/.467 with four homers and 30 steals in just 77 games.

Strickland signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Saturday.

The Rangers released Strickland from his minor-league contract Friday, but he'll make a quick return to the club. He's likely to open the season with Triple-A Round Rock, though he had a 3.31 ERA and 1.09 WHIP to go along with a 57:24 K:BB across 73.1 innings with the Angels in 2024.

Robles left Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Robles singled in both of his first two trips but was then plunked in his fourth plate appearance, and he appeared to be in considerable pain. The Mariners figure to send him for tests right away to determine the extent of the injury.

Pasquantino was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain after making an early exit from Saturday's Cactus League game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Pasquantino will undergo further evaluation Sunday to determine the severity of his injury, but he said after Saturday's game that he feels fine and doesn't believe his performance will be affected by his hamstring. The Royals' medical staff ultimately has the final say, however, so the first baseman's availability for Opening Day will be determined by the results of Sunday's tests. If Pasquantino is unable to play, recent acquisition Mark Canha may step in to cover first base.