MLB Player News

Chapman "appears to have become the in-house favorite" to open the season as the Red Sox' closer, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

Chapman has clearly outpitched Liam Hendriks (10.80 ERA) this spring, allowing two runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings. Walks are likely to continue to be a major problem for Chapman, but, even at 37, he remains one of the hardest throwers and best bat-missers in the game. His leash is likely to be short if he is indeed named Boston's closer, with Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten looming as alternatives.

Campbell "appears to be the favorite" to win the Red Sox' second base job, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

Campbell has struggled for much of the Red Sox' camp, both offensively and defensively, but he has been trending in a good direction lately and looks to have leap-frogged David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom. The top prospect has played both left field and second base this spring but has focused on the keystone lately. Campbell slashed .329/.437/.551 with 19 home runs and 24 steals over 115 games across three minor-league levels in 2024 and has a chance to be a major fantasy contributor right away.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that he's hopeful Scherzer (thumb) can pitch in a game this weekend, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer is dealing with a nagging right thumb issue that, according to Schneider, felt "probably a little bit better than I think he expected" Tuesday. The pitcher has said the injury begins to flare up on him around 50 pitches, but he's trying to get a better handle on it while working with a hand specialist, doctors and trainers. Scherzer is considered day-to-day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he expects Goldschmidt (back) to return to the lineup Thursday or Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Goldschmidt had to depart Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, which is an injury he'd been battling through for a few days. As long as the veteran first baseman avoids a setback, there's no worry about his Opening Day readiness.

The Rangers placed Gray (wrist) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Patrick Corbin, who was inked to a one-year contract Tuesday. Gray now won't be eligible to make his season debut until late May as he recovers from a fractured right wrist.

Corbin agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.

The rumor mill was pretty quiet on Corbin throughout the offseason, but he secured a big-league deal with Texas, as Jon Gray (wrist) and Cody Bradford (elbow) are facing extended absences. Corbin has rated as the worst regular starting pitcher in baseball over the past four years and finished the 2024 campaign with a 5.62 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 139:54 K:BB across 174.2 innings. The left-hander brings some veteran stability to a depleted rotation with at least 31 starts in each of those four seasons, but he isn't likely to be fantasy relevant given his recent track record.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Schmidt (shoulder) is slated to throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The Yankees had left open the possibility that Schmidt would start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, but the team has opted to have him throw in a more controlled setting instead. Schmidt should be able to get in a start after that, whether it's in Grapefruit League play or in a minor-league game. The hope is that Schmidt will be ready for his season debut April 3 versus the Diamondbacks, but Boone said it's not a guarantee.

Rodriguez (elbow) began his throwing program by playing catch from 75 feet Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been shut down from throwing for nearly two weeks, so his buildup is likely to be slow and steady for the time being. Rodriguez doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss the first month of the season.

McDermott (lat) threw a light bullpen session Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

McDermott began a throwing progression two weeks ago and continues to be built back up slowly as he comes back from a mild lat/teres strain. He will not be ready in time for Opening Day and is likely to join the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk once he's physically able.

Henderson (intercostal) took batting practice Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Recovering from a mild right intercostal muscle strain, Henderson continues to ramp up his baseball activities as he attempts to get ready in time for Opening Day. He will surely need to get some at-bats in a game setting soon in order to have a shot to be active for the opener, and it's not clear when that might happen. If Henderson has to miss some time, the Orioles would slide Jackson Holliday over to shortstop and likely use Ramon Urias at second base.