MLB Player News

Mayer started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Mayer, Boston's shortstop of the future, made his first Grapefruit League start at second base. Until Wednesday, he'd started at shortstop and third base this spring. This move is notable, because Red Sox manager Alex Cora hasn't named a starter at second base yet. One candidate, Vaughn Grissom, was removed from the calculus after he was assigned to minor-league camp Wednesday. It may be unlikely that Mayer, who has yet to take an at-bat at the Triple-A level, wins the job, but the manager insisted to Ian Browne of MLB.com that "everybody has a shot."

Swanson (forearm) resumed a throwing program Wednesday and "felt good," per Blue Jays manager John Schneider, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It's the beginning of what will be a deliberate ramp-up as Swanson works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. The right-handed reliever will begin the season on the 15-day injured list and should be expected to miss at least the first month or so of the season.

Pop will begin the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop felt discomfort in his pitching elbow following his last Grapefruit League appearance Monday. While an MRI didn't show any structural damage, he will be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days and will require an IL stint.

Scherzer (thumb) will throw another bullpen session Thursday and hopes to pitch in a game this weekend, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer and the Blue Jays remain hopeful that the veteran right-hander will be ready to go on Opening Day, but they'll have to wait and see how his sore thumb responds. The 40-year-old has been excellent this spring when on the bump, yielding just two runs with a 14:0 K:BB in nine innings.

DeGrom allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in Wednesday's Cactus League start against the Mariners.

DeGrom made his second Cactus League start but has also built up in minor-league games during the spring. He told Kenndi Landry of MLB.com that he feels good health-wise but was not pleased about his mechanics. Specifically, his shoulder was flying open, and deGrom couldn't keep the ball down with his slider and caught too much of the middle of the plate overall. The Rangers' ace worked his pitch count to 57, which is less than optimal at this stage of the Cactus League, but deGrom is expected to pitch when his turn comes up in the opening week of the regular season.

The Astros optioned Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The left-handed reliever missed all of the 2024 campaign following thoracic outlet surgery. While Sousa was healthy this spring, he had a shaky Grapefruit League showing, allowing seven runs on 13 hits and three walks over 7.2 innings.

Garcia has been shut down due to soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia had been scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday, but that's been scrapped and he will be evaluated by doctors. The right-hander has encountered multiple bumps in the road in his comeback from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, suffering a couple setbacks last season and now another.

Allen allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings in Wednesday's split-squad start against the Angels.

This was Allen's fifth Cactus League appearance and third start. Following a regression season in 2024, Allen has pitched well this spring, elevating his chances among several candidates for one of the open rotation spots. He lowered his Cactus League ERA to 1.89, the best of all starters not named Tanner Bibee. His 19 strikeouts to four walks over 19 innings also points to him opening the regular season in the Guardians' rotation.

Williams allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in Wednesday's split-squad start against the Athletics.

Williams made his fourth Cactus League start and got up to 80 pitches (52 strikes), putting him on schedule for the regular season. The right-hander has impressed this spring with 21 strikeouts over 12.1 innings. There's room for him to make one more start prior to the regular season, likely Monday or Tuesday against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field after the Guardians break camp. Williams is expected to pitch during the opening series of the regular season in Kansas City.

Dezenzo (jaw) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

After being struck in the face by a groundball Tuesday, Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain. However, he was cleared of a concussion and will be able to make a quick turnaround, continuing his bid for a roster spot. The 24-year-old is having a great spring, batting .378 with three doubles, two homers and six RBI across 15 exhibition games.