MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Alvarez will make his Grapefruit League debut next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is being eased into game action this spring following last year's injury issues, but he is considered fully healthy. The Astros plan for the slugger to spend most of his time in the designated-hitter slot this season in hopes that it will help keep him healthy, but Alvarez should still see the occasional start in left field.

Spence was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Cardinals due to a neck injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Spence had been slated to start in center field and bat sixth, but he'll be replaced by Ethan Frey instead. Consider Spence -- who is slated to begin the 2026 season in the minors -- day-to-day for now.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Rodgers will undergo an MRI on his injured right shoulder Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Rodgers hurt the shoulder in Grapefruit League action versus the Twins on Wednesday when he reached for a ball after a diving attempt at second base. Initial strength tests were positive, but Rodgers remained sore Thursday, so he'll be sent for imaging. The 29-year-old has had major surgery on both shoulders previously. Rodgers is trying to win a bench role with Boston.

McDermott has impressed the Orioles early on in camp as he transitions to a full-time relief role, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

McDermott wasn't able to solve his command issues as a starting pitcher, but the early returns as he shifts to the bullpen have been promising. The righty worked this offseason with Mason Feole -- a pitching coach based in Rhode Island -- on posture and alignment and has made strides with his command. McDermott has also bumped his average fastball velocity from 93 mph to 96 mph and has struck out five of the seven batters he's faced so far in Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old is in the running for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen and could eventually push for high-leverage appearances.

Ryan (back) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday before advancing to facing live hitters next week, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Ryan had been scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this past Saturday before being scratched from the start due to a back issue. With an MRI revealing inflammation and no other damage to his back, Ryan wasn't shut down from throwing for more than a couple of days. He still should have plenty of time to get fully ramped up ahead of Opening Day, but his availability for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic is in question.

Melton was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox due to a slightly sore left thumb, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

At the moment, it doesn't seem like an injury that will force Melton to miss more than a day or two. The 25-year-old outfielder has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and a 1:5 BB:K in his first four games this spring as he attempts to win a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster. Homer Bush will start Thursday in Melton's place.

The Twins announced Thursday that Festa will be shut down for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder impingement, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Festa has received an injection to address the injury, but even if it yields the desired effect, his availability for the start of the season could be in jeopardy. The Twins were already in the process of easing Festa along during spring training after he dealt with a compressed nerve near his pitching shoulder last season, as he had only recently started to face hitters in live batting practice. On a positive note, Festa's shoulder impingement is considered unrelated to the previous injury.

Weathers threw 3.2 scoreless innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, allowing one hit while striking out five. He did not issue a walk.

Acquired from the Marlins in a January trade, Weathers quickly made believers out of Yankees fans, reaching as high as 99.8 mph with his fastball in his spring debut. "I felt really good," Weathers told Bryan Hoch MLB.com afterward. "I feel like the command is starting to get back to where I used to be, and I came out feeling healthy. Anytime I can stay healthy after pitching, that's a good day for me." The lefty added that veterans Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Max Fried have helped him simplify things and trust his stuff. Weathers showed increased velocity last spring as well before going down with an injury, and the book is still out on whether he can hold up to the rigors of MLB starting duty.

Oviedo allowed one hit and three walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Twins. He also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

It was a rough Grapefruit League debut for the right-hander, who has battled control issues throughout his career. He hit the first batter faced and wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning. While Oviedo threw first-pitch strikes to eight of the nine batters faced, just 15 of his 33 pitches were in the zone. Red Sox manager Alex Cora summed up the performance to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "Erratic. But good stuff. We have work to do. But it's good for him to get his innings in and move on," the skipper said. Despite the wildness, Oviedo remains in the mix for the fifth spot in the rotation and has the inside track, according to sources, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Stanton is expected to receive "a lot of rest days during the season" as the Yankees attempt to keep him healthy and productive, Randy Miller of NJ.com reports.

Stanton made it clear Wednesday that another full offseason of rest didn't heal his tennis elbow that has plagued both arms since 2024. "I can't open a bag of chips... a bag of anything," Stanton said. The slugger missed the Yankees' first 70 games last year while rehabbing his elbows but still reached 24 homers during the regular season, marking his 14th MLB campaign clearing 20 long balls. Despite the lingering issues, Stanton is intent on playing a full season in 2026. He is set to make his spring debut March 3.