MLB Player News

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Walcott will be held out of workouts Wednesday and Thursday due to "a little soreness in the arm," Shawn McDonald of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy indicated that the injury isn't serious and the team is just being cautious with its top prospect. Walcott, who doesn't turn 19 in March, is in camp as a non-roster invitee and is projected to begin the 2025 campaign at Double-A Frisco.

Scherzer topped out at 94.2 mph during his first Grapefruit League action Tuesday against the Cardinals, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 40-year-old right-hander looked good overall during his two innings of work, giving up one run on one hit and striking out four without walking a batter. Scherzer's velocity was especially encouraging, as he saw his fastball average sink to 92.5 mph last season over just nine starts with Texas. If the future Hall of Famer can stay mostly healthy and regain a bit of zip -- he averaged 93.8 mph in 2023 over 152.2 innings split between the Rangers and Mets -- Scherzer could put together one more solid campaign in his first stint with the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday Clase (hamstring) has been running and could make his Grapefruit League debut by this weekend, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Clase has been slowed early on in camp by a sore hamstring but appears to have made good progress of late. If healthy, the switch-hitting outfielder could break camp with the big club, particularly with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) expected to begin the season on the injured list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Loperfido (neck/back) will go through a full workout Thursday and could return to Grapefruit League play as soon as Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Loperfido suffered a neck/upper-back injury Tuesday when he collided with the outfield wall, but he emerged without any serious injuries and is not expected to miss much time. The 25-year-old is competing for a starting job in Toronto's outfield.

Manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Santander has been away from Blue Jays camp while tending to visa issues, but Santander is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Santander had reported to camp previously but then had to leave to sort some things out. He will go through a full workout Thursday before playing Friday against the Yankees. Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto in January.

Richardson gave up one run over two innings with three strikeouts in Tuesday's spring training start against the Yankees. His reached 93.7 mph with his fastball, MLB.com reports.

Richardson allowed just a solo home run. He's seen as the leading candidate for the fifth starter job in a competition with David Festa and Zebby Matthews (and possibly the fourth starter spot as well if Chris Paddack falters). Richardson's success last season keyed off his improved velocity -- up to 93.1 mph average fastball from 90.6 mph in 2023 -- and it's encouraging to see him throwing almost 94 mph this early in camp.

Acton (elbow) struck out two and gave up one earned run on one hit over an inning of relief Friday in the Rays' 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Acton made his big-league debut with the Athletics in 2023, but he was limited to just six appearances before getting sent back to the minors and then suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He was released soon after sustaining the injury and then caught on with the Rays in December 2023 on a two-year, minor-league deal. After spending all of last season completing his rehab program, Acton doesn't appear to be operating with any limitations in spring training. The 26-year-old right-hander is expected to open the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham.

Langford (oblique) resumed light baseball activities Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Langford was diagnosed with a mild left oblique strain last week but was able to throw and run the bases Wednesday and said afterward that he's "feeling great." While he could hit in the batting cage by this weekend, the outfielder is still a week or so away from his Cactus League debut, per manager Bruce Bochy. The club is not worried at this juncture that Langford might not be ready for Opening Day, but the young outfielder can't afford any setbacks.

Schmidt (back) threw a "two-up" bullpen session Tuesday and expects to throw a live batting practice session by this weekend, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

As long as Schmidt gets through his live batting practice session without any problems, he should be cleared for game action in short order, perhaps as soon as next week. The right-hander is working his way back from a minor back issue, but at this point there is no real concern about his Opening Day availability.

Cousins (forearm) will resume a throwing program Monday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Cousins reported to camp earlier this month with a right forearm strain but got his arm re-imaged recently and the results were "really good," the pitcher said Wednesday, adding that he's "ready to go." The reliever will have been shut down for nearly five weeks and will not be ready for Opening Day, but the hope is he will not have to miss much time.