MLB Player News

Schmidt (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday and is unconcerned about his availability for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt has been slowed a bit early on in camp by a minor back issue, but he'll resume mound work Friday and expects to be ready to pitch in Grapefruit League games soon. Barring a setback, the right-hander should be ready to roll come Opening Day.

DeLauter's offseason preparation focused more on mobility than strictly strength, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.

DeLauter's bat and plate discipline gets a lot of attention, deservedly so, but he's dealt with foot injuries each year since being a first-round draft pick in 2022. Hence, the prospect's desire to stay healthy and compete for a potential role on the big-league roster. "As Chase continues to develop, it's about understanding what it takes for that body to be able to play every day," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "He's around some really good people and really good resources to start to understand what his body is telling him." DeLauter had just 168 plate appearances in 2024, including 27 at Triple-A Columbus, suggesting he's not expected to win a job outright in camp. He can play all three outfield spots and could eventually be the answer in right field, which is one of the position battles going on in spring training.

Owens is looking sharp so far in spring training and could push for an MLB bullpen role this season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Owens, who was acquired last summer in the trade that sent Carson Kelly to Texas, is just 5-foot-10, but he has a unique delivery and can reach the upper 90s with his fastball. The 24-year-old pitched well following the trade, recording a 2.80 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 35.1 innings with Double-A Erie, and he figures to make the jump to Triple-A this year. Owens is also already on the 40-man roster, so if he continues to pitch well in the minors, his MLB debut might not be too far off as a member of Detroit's bullpen.

Stripling agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Stripling has been a successful swingman at times throughout his career but had to settle for a minor-league deal after posting a 6.01 ERA across 85.1 innings with the Athletics last season. While the veteran right-hander will compete for a place on the Opening Day roster, he should be considered more likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A Omaha.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that there's no timetable for when Stanton (elbows) will resume baseball activities, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Stanton is dealing with tennis elbow in both arms and has not swung a bat in several weeks. He battled the same issue with both elbows last season, as well, but the discomfort has reached a point to where he and the team decided shutting things down for a while was necessary. Stanton's availability for Opening Day is in question.

Devers has been doing separate infield and cage work away from other Red Sox players as he continues to build up strength following last year's shoulder injuries, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Devers had problems with both shoulders during the 2024 season, although his left (non-throwing) shoulder was considered to be the bigger issue. He avoided surgery but is being eased into action this spring. Devers is expected to begin regular workouts with the team next week, and if that happens as scheduled, injury concerns should dissipate. However, if he's delayed, it will be time to raise a red flag. Earlier this week, Devers expressed an unwillingness to move off third base this season to accommodate Alex Bregman, but the 28-year-old could wind up at designated hitter even if that's not his preference.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Hampton is dealing with a right flexor strain and "something going on with his UCL," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Hampton is back in New York to be examined, and elbow surgery appears to be a distinct possibility. The 23-year-old was limited to just seven starts in 2024 due to elbow, shoulder and groin injuries. Hampton is one of the Yankees' better pitching prospects, and he likely would have began the season at Double-A Somerset if he hadn't suffered the elbow injury.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Stroman will start Friday's Grapefruit League opener versus the Rays, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Just under a week after he made a delayed arrival to spring training and told reporters that he had no intention of pitching out of the bullpen in 2025, Stroman will end up getting the starting nod for the Yankees' exhibition opener. Stroman looks like he'll remain on a starter's throwing schedule throughout the spring, but unless he's traded, he likely won't have a path to a rotation spot unless at least one of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt isn't available to begin the season. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Boone said Wednesday that Schmidt is dealing with a "cranky back," but the injury doesn't yet appear to be anything that will jeopardize Schmidt's availability for Opening Day.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Pereira (elbow) will be limited to designated hitter duty until mid-March, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees consider Pereira to be fully healthy following internal brace surgery on his right elbow last June, but he won't be cleared to play the outfield in spring training games for a few weeks. Boone said that Pereira is "very much in the mix" for an Opening Day roster spot.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Schmidt is dealing with a "cranky" back, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The skipper is not concerned, noting that Schmidt threw an "aggressive" flat-ground session Wednesday and is expected to throw off the mound Friday. It remains to be seen when Schmidt might be ready to play in a Grapefruit League contest, but at this juncture it does not appear to be an injury fantasy managers should be worried about.