MLB Player News

Wright (shoulder) is dealing with a mild right hamstring strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wright suffered the injury while throwing recently. He has been able to continue playing catch, but the hamstring issue will set his throwing progression back a bit as he returns from shoulder surgery. Wright will be re-evaluated next week. The righty had already seemed like a long shot to win a spot in the Royals' rotation, and this setback won't help his case.

Penrod is dealing with a sore left elbow and was sent in for an MRI on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox will wait on the results of the MRI before a prognosis is made available, but at the very least, Penrod will likely be shut down for a few days. The 27-year-old southpaw made seven appearances in relief for Boston last September and is competing for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen.

Adell (oblique) is expected to play in the Angels' Cactus League opener Saturday versus the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Adell finished the 2024 season on the injured list after suffering a left oblique strain in early September, but he made a full recovery from the injury over the offseason and isn't operating with any restrictions this spring. The 25-year-old struck out in 28 percent of his 450 plate appearances with the Angels in 2024 and batted just .207, but he displayed the power-speed combination (20 home runs, 15 steals) that had made him an enticing fantasy prospect during his time in the minors. Batting average will continue to remain an issue moving forward unless he reduces his strikeout rate, but the toolsy 26-year-old should have the inside track for an everyday role in the outfield heading into Opening Day. After playing primarily in right field last season, Adell is expected to see most of his reps in center field in 2025 while the Angels look to move the oft-injured Mike Trout to a corner spot in an effort to preserve his health.

Schanuel (lower leg) is expected to be included in the Angels lineup for Saturday's Cactus League opener versus the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel missed the final four games of the 2024 season due to a bruised right lower leg, but the injury isn't believed to be anything that delayed his offseason workout program. The 23-year-old is projected to serve as the Angels' primary first baseman in 2025, but his lack of raw power renders him a low-end fantasy option at the position.

Trout (knee) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Monday versus the Giants, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Angels manager Ron Washington didn't reveal whether Trout would make his first start of the spring at designated hitter or if he'll be used in right field, the position that he's expected to play on a regular basis in 2025 after he had exclusively played in center field over the past decade. The Angels' decision to shift Trout to a corner spot is borne out of an effort to preserve his health, after he played 82 games or fewer in three of the past four seasons. Trout was limited to a career-low 29 games in 2024 after he required a pair of surgeries to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, with the most recent procedure taking place Aug. 7. While the 33-year-old now appears to be fully healthy, his poor medical record over the past few seasons means that fantasy managers will have to be willing to accept a high level of risk in investing in the three-time American League MVP. Additionally, Trout's move to the corner outfield could hint that he'll be less aggressive on the basepaths to guard against a potential injury.

Angels manager Ron Washington named Kikuchi the team's Opening Day starter for their March 27 matchup against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The skipper referred to the decision as "obvious" after Kikuchi was handed a three-year, $63 million contract over the offseason. With the lowly White Sox on the docket for the opener, Kikuchi will have a great chance to make a positive first impression with his new club.

The Rangers paused Drake's throwing program Thursday while he manages a stiff back, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The injury seems to be of the day-to-day variety, but Drake's prognosis could change if he fails to respond well to rest in the coming days. The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign in which he posted a 2.29 ERA and 148:31 K:BB across 106 innings covering three levels. If healthy, Drake will likely begin the 2025 season either at Double-A Frisco or Triple-A Round Rock.

Morton wasn't present for Thursday's full-squad workout due to an illness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Provided the ailment isn't anything too severe, Morton should resume working out with the Orioles within the next few days. After signing a one-year, $15 million deal with Baltimore over the winter, Morton is expected to open his age-41 season as the Orioles' No. 3 starter behind Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin.

Giolito (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring in the coming days, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito is a few days behind the Red Sox' other starting pitchers as he comes back from an internal brace procedure, but he has already thrown several bullpen sessions. The expectation is that the right-hander will be ready to go for Opening Day, and he should open the season in Boston's rotation, particularly if the club elects to go with a six-man setup.

Garcia (knee) reworked his swing during the offseason, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder is coming off a 2024 season during which he posted career lows in average (.224) and OPS (.684). As such, Garcia worked to remove a loop at the top of swing and generally tighten it up. Texas manager Bruce Bochy described the swing as "quieter" and said Garcia is being more direct to the ball. Bochy also noted the slugger's gait and spring while running the bases, which indicates the patella injury sustained late in 2024 will not be an issue when the Rangers begin Cactus League games.