MLB Player News

Polanco (knee) was spotted taking swings off a pitching machine during Wednesday's full-squad workout, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Polanco is heading into his second season in Seattle after he re-signed with the Mariners in late January on a one-year, $7.75 million deal that includes a $6 million mutual option for 2026. The 31-year-old endured a rough debut season in Seattle, slashing .213/.296/.355 while striking out in a career-worst 29.2 percent of his 469 plate appearances. He was limited to 118 games due to hamstring and knee injuries and needed surgery in October to repair damage to the patellar tendon of his left knee, but reports earlier in the offseason suggested that he would be fully cleared for baseball activities by January. Polanco seems to have recovered as anticipated and isn't operating with any reported restrictions in the first week of camp, but like many veteran players, he may not be immediately rushed into game action when the Mariners open their Cactus League schedule Friday. In addition to easing himself back from the injury, Polanco will also be adjusting to a position change this spring. In an effort to keep him healthier this season, the Mariners will move Polanco to third base after he played exclusively in the field at second base in 2024.

Cleveland placed Fry (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The transaction doesn't come as a surprise, after Fry underwent surgery in November to address a torn ligament in his elbow. Fry is expected to need 6-to-8 months to recover from surgery before he's ready to serve as a designated hitter, so he could have a chance at being ready to contribute for Cleveland when he's first eligible to come off the 60-day IL in late May. The 29-year-old will require 12 months of recovery time before he's cleared for full throwing, so he won't be an option behind the plate or in the field in 2025.

Manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Springer might see some playing time in left field this season, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Springer has played just three innings in left field at the major-league level and those came back in 2018. However, like Springer, Anthony Santander has also primarily been a right fielder in his career, so Springer could accommodate him some days by shifting to left. Schneider also noted that Springer is a prime candidate to bat leadoff in 2025, which is where he's spent the overwhelming majority of his time with Toronto.

Ramos (elbow) said Wednesday that he's continued to hit and field grounders during the White Sox's full-squad workouts, but he has yet to begin a throwing program, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. "Right now I'm feeling pretty good. I've been hitting. I've been doing pretty much everything," Ramos said. "The only thing I haven't been doing is throwing for now."

Ramos is managing a sore right elbow, but at this point in spring training, the issue isn't anything that is expected to keep him from being ready to go for Opening Day. That said, his initial game action during the Cactus League is likely to come at designated hitter, and he'll need to show that he can throw across the diamond at full velocity without discomfort before he's cleared to play in the infield. Ramos reached the big leagues for the first time last season, slashing .202/.252/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 107 plate appearances across two stints with the White Sox.

Refsnyder (forearm) took live batting practice against Red Sox right-hander Zack Kelly during Wednesday's full-squad workout, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Refsnyder slugged a home run to right-center as part of his round of BP, an indication that he's moved past the right forearm strain that caused him to finish last season on the injured list. Before being shut down, Refsnyder was productive at the dish when called upon, slashing .283/.359/.471 with 11 home runs and two stolen bases over 306 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting Refsnyder should get regular playing time versus left-handed pitching in 2025, most likely occupying the weak side of platoon in right field alongside Wilyer Abreu (illness).

Pederson (illness) returned to Rangers camp Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pederson was away from the club for a few days while battling the flu, but he's now recovered and ready to resume workouts. The 32-year-old's first Cactus League game might be delayed a bit since he's a tad behind, but he will have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Melendez said Tuesday that he spent the offseason in Miami revamping his swing during workouts, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Specifically, Melendez has adjusted his positioning at the plate, decreased his leg kick and demonstrated a more balanced stance in the batter's box. Melendez is hopeful that the change will simplify his movements and allow him to be more consistent at the plate, after he struck out at a 25.1 percent clip and slashed a career-worst .206/.273/.400 in 450 plate appearances a season ago. Melendez doesn't believe the adjustment will result in him sacrificing power, which was his main calling card during his minor-league career and through his first three seasons in the majors. The lefty-hitting Melendez should be poised to open the 2025 campaign as a strong-side platoon player in left field, though after catching in 10 games in 2023, he will no longer carry eligibility at catcher in any fantasy league since he didn't see any action behind the plate in 2024.

Faedo (shoulder) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As a member of the Tigers last season, Faedo didn't pitch after Aug. 20 due to a strained right shoulder, but his ability to throw a live BP session in the early stages of spring training confirms that he's healthy. The 29-year-old right-hander will be competing for a spot in the Tampa Bay bullpen after turning in a 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB in 57.1 innings over his 37 appearances for the Tigers in 2024. Faedo doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Rays would have to expose him to waivers if he isn't kept on the Opening Day roster or placed on the injured list to begin the season.

Maeda was throwing 92 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's up from the 90.8 mph he averaged with his four-seamer last season and significantly more velocity than he was showing during spring training last year. With Alex Cobb (hip) slated to begin the season on the injured list, Maeda has a chance to make the Tigers' rotation out of spring training. That said, after collecting a 6.09 ERA over 17 starts and 12 relief appearances last season, Maeda has a lot to prove this spring. He will start Detroit's Grapefruit League opener Saturday.

Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Altuve will play left field in first Grapefruit League game this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve has seen significant reps in the outfield in the early days of camp and will work with the outfielders exclusively over the next 4-to-5 days. It's becoming clear at this point that the Astros are serious about potentially moving Altuve to left field, although the 34-year-old will have to show he's comfortable out there before the team commits to it. If Altuve does shift to the outfield, Mauricio Dubon looks to be the current favorite to start at second base. Houston also just agreed to a minor-league deal with Brendan Rodgers, who will be a threat to win the second base job.