MLB Player News

Brubaker tweaked his side while attempting to avoid a comebacker during an appearance Friday versus the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The comebacker struck Brubaker in the lower back, but it's the pitcher's side that is the bigger issue. He is receiving treatment, but there is no word yet on how much time he might miss. Brubaker missed all of 2023 and was limited to just eight rehab appearances in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and later an oblique injury.

Hurd will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow next week, Geoff Pontes of Baseball America reports.

Hurd was a third-round pick of the Yankees in 2024 and has yet to make his professional debut. That debut will now have to wait until 2026 following surgery to repair his UCL and also remove a bone chip.

Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Hampton had traveled back to New York to have his right elbow examined and got the worst possible news. If there's a silver lining, it's that having the operation now will give him a chance to return for the start of the 2026 season, or at least early on in the campaign.

Brubaker departed a Grapefruit League appearance against the Rays on Friday after being hit in the lower back by a comebacker, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He tossed a scoreless fourth inning and returned for the top of the fifth when leadoff hitter Kameron Misner drilled one right back up the middle. Brubaker was in clear pain but was able to walk off the field under his own power. The right-hander missed all of 2023 and was limited to just eight rehab appearances in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and later an oblique injury, so he can ill afford to miss much time in camp if he wants to secure a spot on the 26-man roster.

Clement is the favorite to begin the season as the Blue Jays' starting third baseman, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Toronto's affinity for utility players likely means Clement won't stay at the hot corner, however -- the 28-year-old saw 41 games at shortstop last season in addition to 96 at third base, and he has prior experience at second base and in left field as well. Clement slashed a passable .263/.284/.408 in 2024 with 12 homers and 12 steals over 452 plate appearances, but he'll be pushed for playing time by Will Wagner, Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger and others as the Jays look for more offense from their lineup.

Crawford (knee) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Crawford has been eased into things early on in Red Sox camp as he tries to get past patellar tendon soreness, and it's a good sign that he's been cleared for mound work. The right-hander should have enough time to ramp up before Opening Day as he looks to lock down a rotation spot.

Langford will be held out of baseball activities for 5-to-7 days after being diagnosed with a mild oblique strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

For now, the Rangers are not concerned that this could affect Langford's Opening Day availability. That will depend on a smooth recovery however, which doesn't always happen with oblique injuries. Langford is looking to break out for the Rangers in 2025 after finishing strong last September with a .996 OPS, eight homers and seven stolen bases over 26 contests.

Martinez will get a real chance in camp to win a spot on the 26-man roster and could push for the starting job at third base, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Ernie Clement is the nominal favorite to be in the Opening Day lineup at the hot corner, but Martinez is the player that offers the most upside at the position for the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old is coming off a bumpy 2024 campaign that included an 80-game suspension for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy, but over 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo he slashed .267/.346/.523 with 17 homers. Martinez's most likely route to the Opening Day roster is on the bench, bouncing between second base and third base in a short-side platoon role, but the young slugger could quickly force his way into a more prominent spot if he begins flashing his power in the majors and can provide at least adequate defense at third.

The White Sox are considering using Clevinger (neck) in a late-inning relief role, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's just one of the roles the team is mulling, as it first wants to see what Clevinger looks like in camp after the hurler was inked to a minor-league contract Thursday. More than 90 percent of Clevinger's 156 career appearances in the majors have come as a starter, but he's had injury difficulties in recent years -- including being limited to just four starts in 2024 due to neck and elbow issues -- so it's possible a bullpen role gives him a better chance to stay healthy. The White Sox do have an opening at closer, should he prove to be effective in relief. The 34-year-old had neck surgery last July and it's not clear whether he'll have any restrictions this spring.

Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have already ruled Garcia out for Opening Day after he had a couple setbacks last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he's been throwing for a while without issue and should be able to make some Grapefruit League appearances. Garcia hasn't started a major-league game since May 2023.