MLB Player News

Westburg (elbow) said Monday that he remains without a timeline to increase his participation in baseball activities, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg is trying to remain optimistic and continues to follow medical advice as he works his way back from a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. He opted against surgery and instead received a platelet-rich plasma injection, hoping that the shot coupled with rest would allow him to return to the field sooner. Westburg has been able to run, take part in fielding drills and swing with his bottom hand, but he has yet to do anything beyond that and has already been ruled out through the end of April. Coby Mayo, Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson will be the candidates to cover third base while Wetsburg is sidelined.

Mayer (knee) is scheduled to play in a Triple-A game on the back fields of Red Sox camp Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Mayer was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's 7-2 win over the Twins due to a sore left knee, but manager Alex Cora downplayed the injury afterward, noting that the 23-year-old was scheduled to return to action Tuesday versus Atlanta. While that still could come to pass, Mayer is evidently feeling even better than the Red Sox anticipated a day later, resulting in him being cleared to play in the minor-league contest. Mayer has enjoyed a solid spring thus far with an .816 OPS in 27 plate appearances, so assuming he can avoid any further health-related setbacks this week, he should be in good position to open the season as the Red Sox's primary second baseman.

Holliday (hand) said he'll begin taking live at-bats this week, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Holliday has been hitting off a tee for the last 10 days or so and keeps progressing in his return from a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Holliday is unsure if he'll see any Grapefruit League action this spring, but he's hopeful for a short stint on the injured list to begin the season and could even be in the lineup for Triple-A Norfolk's season opener in 11 days, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson will be candidates for early-season playing time at second base while Holliday is sidelined.

Thomas started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

Thomas opened the scoring, blasting a solo homer off Tanner Bibee that left the bat at 110.2 mph. Through 15 Cactus League appearances, he's hitting .250/.270/.472 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBI. Coming off a rookie campaign in which he slashed .225/.267/.417 with five doubles, six homers and 19 RBI in 49 games, Thomas is battling for a spot on the Athletics' bench as a reserve outfielder alongside Carlos Cortes.

Gelof started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

After a delayed start to game action this spring while recovering from surgery last September to repair a dislocated right shoulder, Gelof has received regular playing time, with Sunday marking the first time he's manned center field. The 26-year-old has never played the outfield at the big-league level and has logged just one appearance there in the minor leagues, but with Jeff McNeil entrenched as the everyday second baseman, the Athletics are exploring ways to expand Gelof's defensive versatility. Coming off an injury-riddled 2025 in which he slashed .174/.230/.272 across 30 MLB games, Gelof could begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Las Vegas, though building up his ability to handle multiple positions could help him carve out opportunities with the big-league club.

Neto (wrist) will hit off the tee and take live batting practice Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Neto also clarified that he sustained a small sprain to his left wrist, not the hand, as previously reported Saturday. The shortstop said that he's feeling good, and he expects to play Tuesday, either in a minor-league game or in the Angels' Cactus League contest versus the Cubs, per Fletcher. Neto should have plenty of time this week to pick up more at-bats and get himself ready for Opening Day.

The Athletics reassigned Kriske to minor-league camp Sunday.

Kriske was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 32-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made 16 appearances in the majors between stops with the Cubs and Twins, pitching to a 7.50 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across 18 innings.

The Athletics reassigned Hernandez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Hernandez was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 31-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made 10 appearances in the majors with the Astros, giving up six earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks over 10.2 innings.

The Athletics reassigned Krook to minor-league camp Sunday.

Krook was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 31-year-old left-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made three appearances in the majors with the Athletics, giving up two earned runs on five hits and one walk over 3.1 innings.

The Athletics reassigned Suero to minor-league camp Sunday.

Suero was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 34-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made five appearances in the majors with Atlanta, giving up eight earned runs on 10 hits and four walks over 6.1 innings.