MLB Player News

Walker (oblique) said Sunday that he won't swing a bat for a few days before beginning a hitting progression later on next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After being scratched from the lineup last Wednesday due to left oblique soreness, Walker was sent for an MRI, which revealed no strain. He still needs the inflammation in his side to subside before he can fully resume baseball activities, however. Walker should still be ready for the Astros' March 27 season opener versus the Mets, but even if he avoids any further setbacks, he could still be a week or more away from Grapefruit League action.

O'Neill (rib cage) is starting in left field and batting cleanup in Sunday's split-squad game against the Twins.

O'Neill sat out the past couple days of Grapefruit League action due to left rib cage soreness, which came on the heels of an absence due to illness. The 29-year-old is still on track to be ready for Opening Day, but it's worth remembering that his 113 contests last season represented just the second time in his big-league career that the oft-injured outfielder has reached triple digits in games played.

Caminero (back) is starting at third base and batting third in Sunday's spring game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The 21-year-old exited Thursday's game due to back tightness but will return to the field after taking a couple days off. Caminero is expected be a key lineup piece for the Rays in 2025 after he posted a .723 OPS in 43 games as a rookie last year.

Rodriguez took live batting practice Friday for the first time since suffering a sprained ankle in early February and could play in a game with the next week, MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old outfielder looks to be fully healthy after undergoing surgery on his right thumb during the offseason, but a sprained ankle has thus far prevented him from playing in Grapefruit League games. Rodriguez's ability to take live BP is a sign that his spring debut is likely on the horizon, however.

Francis pitched 2.2 innings in a Grapefruit League contest against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four batters.

Francis made two previous appearances this spring, but this was his first start after the initial scheduled one was rained out. Spring training has not been kind to Francis through 6.2 innings of work, as he sports an ugly 12.15 ERA. He's allowed 11 hits, including three home runs, and five walks while striking out seven. Francis gave up a ton of hard contact versus Philadelphia, including a third-inning homer to Alec Bohm. Francis is currently slots in at the back end of Toronto's starting rotation.

Morton threw three scoreless innings against the Rays in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, striking out four batters.

Morton struck out the side in the top of the first inning, setting down Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez and Curtis Mead in order on 14 pitches. He got through the next two innings on 13 total pitches. Morton's fastball was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph, and the 41-year-old has yet to allow a run through six innings of work this spring. With Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) already ruled out for Opening Day, the offseason signing of Morton is even more significant.

France went 2-for-3 with one home run, one double, four RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

He had an RBI double off Aroldis Chapman in the fourth inning and later swatted a three-run homer off Josh Winckowski in the sixth. France inked a one-year, $1 million deal with the Twins back on Feb. 11 and has torn the cover off the ball eight games into spring training. Through 22 plate appearances, France is slashing .524/.565/1.000 with two long balls, four doubles, seven RBI, six runs scored and a pair of walks. Manager Rocco Baldelli has said France is viewed as Minnesota's starting first baseman going into the season, and it's "not a platoon situation."

Adell went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League victory over the Brewers.

Adell gave the Angels their first lead in the second inning with a three-run blast to left-center field. The outfielder has made the most of his two long balls this spring -- his other homer was a grand slam against the Dodgers. Adell could be the Angels' Opening Day center fielder since Mike Trout is moving to right field this season.

Davis went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run Saturday in a Cactus League win over Milwaukee.

Davis plated the final two runs of the game with a blast to center field in the seventh inning. It was the first long ball of the spring for the veteran infielder, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee. Davis has struggled with a .182/.217/.364 slash line so far this spring, though he has a chance of making the Opening Day roster due in part to injuries to Anthony Rendon (hip), Zach Neto (shoulder) and Luis Rengifo (hamstring).

Gilbert gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, striking out three in 1.2 innings.

Gilbert served up two home runs, one off the bat of Pete Crow-Armstrong and another to Miguel Amaya in the second inning. In three Cactus League starts, Gilbert holds a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with eight punchouts over 5.1 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander received the first All-Star nod of his career and led MLB in WHIP (0.89), innings pitched (208.2) and starts (33) in the 2024 regular season, and Gilbert's spot atop Seattle's rotation should carry even more importance while George Kirby (shoulder) is shut down from throwing.