MLB Player News

Newcomb may be the slight favorite to open the season as the Red Sox' fifth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Richard Fitts will handle the fourth spot, while Newcomb looks to have a bit of an edge over Quinn Priester for the final opening in the rotation while the Red Sox deal with multiple pitching injuries. It's been an unlikely re-emergence for Newcomb, who boasts a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings. The lefty hasn't been used as a regular starter in the majors since 2018.

Fitts is likely to open the season as the Red Sox' fourth starter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

With Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all expected to open the season on the injured list, the Red Sox are needing to dip into their rotation depth. Fitts has earned the opportunity by collecting a 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 14.2 spring innings. Sean Newcomb and Quinn Priester are fighting for the final spot in Boston's rotation.

Drury was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup due to a bruised left hand, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's unclear when Drury suffered the injury, but he'll be held out for at least one spring game. The 32-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox during the offseason and is expected to be included on the Opening Day roster given his 1.260 OPS during spring training.

Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees now have 24 hours to either add Smith to their roster or release him. Smith has looked good this spring, posting an .857 OPS with three home runs this spring, but the Yankees have more of a need for right-handed bench bats than lefty ones, which could work against the 29-year-old.

Drury was scratched from the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Reds for unspecified reasons.

The 32-year-old was penciled in to start at first base but will instead sit out Friday's contest. After signing a minor-league contract with the White Sox in February, Drury has given himself a chance to make the Opening Day roster with a 1.260 OPS in 13 spring games.

The Red Sox reassigned Fulmer to minor-league camp Friday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Fulmer pitched well this spring after missing the entire 2024 season following UCL revision surgery, posting a 0.79 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 11.1 innings, but it wasn't enough to make Boston's Opening Day roster. His minor-league contract does not contain an opt-out clause, so Fulmer will begin the season at Triple-A Worcester.

Kirby (shoulder) played catch with a trainer for a few minutes Friday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

It's not much, but it's the first time Kirby's done any throwing since he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation March 7. The right-hander is hoping to be ready for his season debut around mid-April, but a clear timeline for the right-hander has not yet been established.

The Guardians optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Rodriguez entered camp with a chance to win the starting job in right field but had an up-and-down spring, managing a .200/.379/.400 slash line in 12 games. The 25-year-old made his big-league debut with 13 appearances for Cleveland last year, and he's likely to receive another look in the majors at some point in 2025.

Sandlin walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The former Guardian was dealt to the Blue Jays in January and appears locked into a bullpen spot, albeit likely only in middle relief to begin the season. Sandlin has posted an 8:3 K:BB through five spring innings with a 3.60 ERA, but he's behind Yimi Garcia and Chad Green in the pecking order for setup work in front of closer Jeff Hoffman.

The Guardians optioned Martinez to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Martinez was competing for a utility job but managed just a .553 OPS this spring. He still figures to see plenty of action in the majors this season but will head to Columbus for now.