MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Schmidt (back) will remain at spring training when the team heads north and is slated to make his season debut April 3 against the Diamondbacks, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has yet to pitch in a Grapefruit League game due to a back issue. While he seems to be past the injury now, the Yankees will hold him back for their sixth game of the regular season since he's behind schedule. Schmidt will throw a simulated game March 28 and is expected to have his pitch count built up to 75-to-80 before his regular-season debut.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Hamilton is close to his Grapefruit League debut after being sidelined by an infection, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear when or how the issue cropped up, but it was enough to shelve Hamilton for the first half of camp. Since he's a reliever, he could still have time to ramp up for Opening Day. Hamilton has had a tough time staying healthy but has been effective for the Yankees when on the bump, sporting a 3.10 ERA and 110:40 K:BB over 95.2 regular-season innings across two campaigns.

Kasevich will be sidelined several weeks after aggravating a stress reaction in his lower back in a game last weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's not clear when Kasevich suffered the initial injury, but he's now had a setback. The 24-year-old infielder finished last season at Triple-A Buffalo and will be assigned there once he's healthy enough to play.

Swanson (forearm) is expected to begin the season on the injured list after he experienced right elbow discomfort after a bullpen session this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays are awaiting the results of an MRI, which could provide some clarity on how long the 31-year-old will be sidelined. After operating as a reliable high-leverage reliever from 2021 to 2023, Swanson struggled to a 5.03 ERA across 45 appearances last season.

The Rays optioned Seymour to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Seymour nabbed a spot on the 40-man roster over the offseason after collecting a 2.35 ERA and 162:41 K:BB over 145.1 innings between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2024. He'll provide rotation depth at Durham this season.

The Rays optioned Rock to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rock had a nice showing this spring, tossing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He was never under any real consideration for the Opening Day roster, however, and is slated to open the year in the rotation at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays optioned Curet to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The club's top pitching prospect, Curet allowing one run with a 1:1 K:BB over two innings this spring. The 22-year-old finished with a flourish late last season at Double-A Montgomery and could be headed back there to begin the 2025 season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Matzek (oblique) has a "pretty good strain" and will be sidelined a few weeks, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Matzek hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since Feb. 25 due to an oblique strain. The good news is Boone noted that Matzek is now asymptomatic and could resume a throwing program Monday. The lefty reliever had been in line to make the team as a non-roster invitee, but he now won't be ready for Opening Day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Stanton (elbows) has returned to camp but is unlikely to play in any games this spring, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stanton was given a second round of PRP injections to combat tennis elbow in both arms, which he and the club hope will allow him to avoid surgery. However, Stanton will still not be able to do much in terms of baseball activities, and it's probably going to be a long time before he's ready to play in games. His timetable to return is open-ended.

Kirby has been shut down from throwing due to right shoulder inflammation and will begin the season on the injured list, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby was not bouncing back well from his outings and had an MRI done, which came back negative. The right-hander wanted to keep throwing, but he was overruled and is slated to start the season on the IL. There is no timetable for when Kirby might be allowed to throw again. With Kirby sidelined, Emerson Hancock is likely to open the season in the Mariners' rotation.