MLB Player News

Fried will make his spring training debut against the Pirates on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees in December after spending the first eight years of his MLB career with Atlanta, and he'll make his first appearance in a pinstripes uniform Monday. Fried posted a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 166:57 K:BB over 174.1 innings in the 2024 regular season and finished with an 11-10 record over 29 starts. He is expected to serve as the No. 2 starter in the Yankees' rotation behind Gerrit Cole for the 2025 campaign.

Brubaker has been diagnosed with three broken ribs as a result of a play last weekend when he tried to avoid a comebacker, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that, symptomatically, Brubaker is doing OK, but it's an injury that's going to sideline the pitcher for a while. How long exactly Brubaker might be shelved is not yet clear, but it's a blow to the Yankees' rotation depth.

Gil was pulled from his bullpen session Friday due to shoulder tightness and is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

The reigning American League Rookie of the Year was building toward his first start of spring training, but the shoulder tightness instead has him headed for medical imaging. According to Erik Boland of Newsday, manager Aaron Boone said he feels like the injury will "cost us some time," so Gil may not be ready by Opening Day. Should the injury force him to miss the start of the regular season, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren are the primary options to round out the Yankees' starting rotation.

Varsho (shoulder) said Friday that it's "TBD" as to whether he will be ready for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider implied at the beginning of camp that he expected the outfielder to need some time on the injured list to start the season. However, Varsho isn't ruling out completing his recovery from September rotator cuff surgery in time to avoid an IL stint. The 28-year-old hit a home run out of the designated-hitter spot Friday in his Grapefruit League debut, and it's possible Toronto will consider carrying him on its Opening Day roster even if he's only available as a DH initially. Varsho recently extended his throwing distance to 120 feet, and the next step in his rehab is to start throwing over 80 miles per hour with regularity.

Yoshida (shoulder) is ready to serve as a designated hitter in Grapefruit League contests, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear when exactly he'll make his spring debut, but it should be soon. Yoshida's rehab program as he recovers from surgery to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder has him throwing from 45 feet, so it will be a while before he's ready to play the outfield. It's not clear whether the Red Sox would consider carrying Yoshida on their Opening Day roster if he's not yet able to play the field.

Jimenez was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Yankees due to an illness, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Jimenez should be fine to play in a day or two. He's been replaced in the lineup by top prospect Arjun Nimmala.

Devers (shoulders) could begin the season as Boston's designated hitter, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

In his Opening Day roster projection, Cotillo predicts that Devers will be the DH for the Red Sox, while Alex Bregman will play third base and Kristian Campbell will be at second base. Devers made it clear earlier this month that he wanted to remain at third base, indicating an unwillingness to become a full-time DH. However, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have both suggested that a position shift is coming for Devers. The 28-year-old has been brought along slowly this spring as he works his way back from last season's shoulder problems, but Devers is aiming to make his Grapefruit League debut March 5.

The Red Sox will give Campbell every opportunity to win the starting second base job, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

In putting together his Opening Day roster projection, Cotillo has Campbell as Boston's starting second baseman, with Alex Bregman at third base and Rafael Devers at designated hitter. The top prospect 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, if he does indeed head north with the big club.

Dana pitched three perfect innings Thursday, compiling three strikeouts against the Cubs in a Cactus League contest.

The 21-year-old wasn't originally slated to start, but he stepped into that role after Jack Kochanowicz was scratched due to an illness. Dana thrived against Chicago, retiring all nine batters he faced on 36 pitches. He'd struggled in his first first appearance this spring, allowing three runs over 1.2 frames against Seattle.

Through four Grapefruit League games, Vargas has gone 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI.

Vargas hit his second spring homer Thursday, belting a two-run shot in the eighth inning against the Phillies. The 23-year-old was among the top signees in the 2018 international class, but he's yet to really put things together, and he posted a modest .670 OPS with four home runs and 15 stolen bases over 260 plate appearances during his first taste of Double-A ball last year. Vargas isn't in serious contention for an Opening Day big-league roster spot, but he's still young enough to have a major-league future if he can demonstrate development in the minors.