MLB Player News

Yates (knee) threw an abbreviated bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Yates said afterward that his knee felt healthy but that he still needs to sharpen his stuff before he's ready to pitch in a game. Sidelined by left knee inflammation, Yates is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6. It's unclear whether he'll be back on that date, but if he isn't it shouldn't be long after. Jordan Romano has seized the Angels' closer job for the time being, but Yates could work his way back into that mix.

The Pirates are "deep into negotiations" on a contract extension with Griffin, but it's unclear how close the two sides might be toward reaching agreement on a deal, Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports.

Pittsburgh has been engaged in extension talks with its top prospect since early in spring training, with Olney noting that the Pirates have offered the 19-year-old shortstop a deal in the neighborhood of the eight-year, $111 million deal that Arizona's Corbin Carroll signed in the spring of 2023. Griffin's representatives, meanwhile, have been seeking a deal more on par with the eight-year, $130 deal Roman Anthony signed with the Red Sox last August. Griffin didn't break camp with the Pirates, but after smacking four home runs over his 16 Grapefruit League games, he's continued to thrive early on at Triple-A Indianapolis. Through his first four Triple-A games, Griffin has gone 6-for-13 with three doubles, two stolen bases and a 4:4 BB:K.

O'Hoppe is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

After catching each of the first two games of the series, O'Hoppe will receive a routine breather for a day game Wednesday. Travis d'Arnaud will handle catching duties for the Angels.

Schanuel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting Schanuel will sit for the first time this season while the Angels face off against a lefty (Matthew Boyd) for the series finale in Chicago. Jeimer Candelario will spell Schanuel at first base and will bat seventh Wednesday.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

The left-handed-hitting Lowe will sit for the first time this season while the Angels face off against a lefty (Matthew Boyd) for the series finale in Chicago. Bryce Teodosio will spell Lowe in left field and will bat ninth.

McMahon is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

The Yankees are facing a righty in George Kirby, but the left-handed-hitting McMahon will nonetheless begin the game on the bench. Amed Rosario is at third base and batting seventh in Wednesday's series finale.

Stanton is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Seattle.

Stanton will receive his first day off of the season after picking up exactly two hits in each of the Yankees' first five games. Ben Rice will get a day off from first base but will stick in the lineup at designated hitter in Stanton's stead.

Mayer is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

After a string of four straight starts, Mayer will get a breather Wednesday while the Red Sox conclude their series in Houston with a day game after a night game. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will fill in for Mayer at second base.

Narvaez was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros for non-injury reasons, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Connor Wong will start at catcher for the second day in a row and the third time in four games, but Narvaez doesn't appear to be dealing with any sort of health-related concern. Instead, manager Alex Cora hinted that Narvaez's absence might be a matter of discipline, as the skipper noted that he would keep the reason as to why Narvaez was scratched between himself and the catcher. After undergoing surgery in October to repair the meniscus in his left knee, Narvaez enjoyed a healthy spring training and had recorded four hits in nine at-bats through his first three games of the season.

Lockridge is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Lockridge will take a seat after he picked up starts in each of the last four games while going 6-for-14 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, three RBI and two runs. The right-handed-hitting Lockridge should be a mainstay in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he may be limited to more of a part-time role versus righties.