MLB Player News

Hendriks touched 96 mph while tossing a scoreless inning Wednesday versus the Rays in his Grapefruit League debut, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He allowed a one-out single but got a swinging strikeout to strand that runner and end his frame. While adrenaline was surely at play in what was Hendriks' first game appearance since a rehab outing last June, the reliever topping out at 96 mph in late February is a good sign. He averaged less than 93 mph during his rehab assignment last year and was sitting 93-to-94 mph during a recent live batting practice session. Hendriks averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball during his last healthy season in 2022 and there's no guarantee he ever gets back to that level, but the hope is his velocity ticks up as we get closer to Opening Day. The 36-year-old is competing for Boston's closer job.

Soriano tossed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against the Padres on Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter.

Soriano tossed 24 pitches in the outing, 14 of which were sinkers. He maxed out at 98.2 mph with the pitch and induced three groundballs, an area in which he excels -- Soriano ranked in the 97th percentile leaguewide in groundball rate last season. The right-hander is penciled into a slot in the middle of the Angels' starting rotation this season.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Wednesday that Cannon will open the season in the club's rotation, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The revelation doesn't come as a surprise, as Cannon made 21 starts (23 appearances in total) for the White Sox last season and was serviceable, collecting a 4.49 ERA and 91:40 K:BB over 124.1 innings. Cannon might even start Opening Day, although Martin Perez and Davis Martin -- who Venable also named to the rotation Wednesday -- could be candidates, as well. The 24-year-old Cannon is not a desirable fantasy target.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Wednesday that Martin will open the season in the rotation, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Martin Perez and Jonathan Cannon will join Martin in the rotation, while the final two spots are still up for grabs. Martin made 10 starts and one relief appearance with the big club last season, posting a 4.32 ERA and 47:23 K:BB across 50 innings. He will be nearly two full years removed from Tommy John surgery on Opening Day and flashed more swing-and-miss ability in the minors prior to the operation, but Martin's team context limits his fantasy appeal to deep leagues.

Skubal has been named the Tigers' starting pitcher for their Opening Day game March 27 against the Dodgers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

As the reigning unanimous American League Cy Young Award winner, Skubal was as obvious of a choice as it gets to take the ball Opening Day. He'll face a tall task in going up against the World Series champions, but fantasy managers aren't going to be sitting Skubal in any matchups.

Warren struck out four in three perfect innings Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Warren threw 13 sweepers, 12 sinkers, seven four-seamers and three changeups, with his sweeper doing the heavy lifting on a dominant second start of the spring. With Clarke Schmidt (back) expected to progress to live batting practice this weekend, it's too soon to say if the Yankees will have to dip into their starting pitching depth right away this season. However, Warren has clearly established himself as a high-upside, ascending pitcher early this spring, and he's at worst seventh on the Yankees' starting pitching depth chart.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in an interview with Foul Territory TV on Wednesday that he plans to bat Judge second this season.

Judge hit in the two hole regularly in 2023 before moving to the three spot in 2024 while Juan Soto batted second. With Soto moving across town, Judge will now return to the second spot in the Yankees' lineup in 2025. Boone also seemed to imply that he'll likely hit either Cody Bellinger or Jazz Chisholm third, at least against right-handers. He has not decided on a leadoff hitter, but Chisholm and Jasson Dominguez seem to be the top candidates.

Young (arm) will be available off the bench for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, Young had been limited in some workouts in the first couple weeks of spring training due to a sore right arm, but he's already appeared in three Cactus League contests, going 2-for-6 with a run scored. He's yet to serve as anything more than a designated hitter in those games, but his ability to play suggests that he's not in any real danger of missing the start of the minor-league season.

Garcia (forearm) will face hitters Thursday, Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Garcia is behind schedule due to some irritation in his left forearm, but he's coming along nicely in his recovery. If the southpaw gets through Thursday's session with no concerns, he could be ready to appear in a Cactus League game soon. Garcia is expected to be a high-leverage reliever for the Rangers and in the mix to earn save chances.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Buchanan (ankle) "should be on the mound next week," Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Buchanan has been shelved since spraining his left ankle during a fielding drill early on in camp. He could conceivably ramp up in time for Opening Day, but the 35-year-old is a long shot to make the Rangers' roster.