MLB Player News

Drury was scratched from the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Reds for unspecified reasons.

The 32-year-old was penciled in to start at first base but will instead sit out Friday's contest. After signing a minor-league contract with the White Sox in February, Drury has given himself a chance to make the Opening Day roster with a 1.260 OPS in 13 spring games.

Goldschmidt (back) said Friday that he expects to return to the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Goldschmidt missed his target date to return, as he had hoped to play Thursday or Friday. However, he said his sore back is close to 100 percent and the decision was made to give it another day. Goldschmidt remains confident he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.

Goldschmidt (back) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Friday's contest against the Tigers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Goldschmidt had targeted either Thursday or Friday for his return to Grapefruit League play, but that goal wasn't met. There's no cause for concern yet, as the Yankees are likely just exercising caution with the veteran first baseman. The club might have more on Goldschmidt's status later Friday.

Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.

Pasquantino went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's spring training loss to the Giants. He's hitting .238 (10-for-42) with two home runs this spring.

Pasquantino is locked in as Kansas City's starting first baseman and No. 3 batter, and it isn't worth looking too closely at his spring numbers. More important than the spring production, the 27-year-old is healthy this spring after suffering a broken thumb that limited him late last season.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team hopes to have Goldschmidt (back) back in the lineup Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Goldschmidt will participate in baseball activities Thursday, and if he manages to get through everything without a problem, he'll return to the starting nine Friday against the Tigers. The veteran first baseman has been great in the Grapefruit League this spring, going 10-for-32 with three homers, 10 RBI and seven runs scored in 13 games.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Casas will be the everyday first baseman, including against left-handers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He will play. He's going to play against lefties and righties," Cora said. "We're not going to platoon at first base."

This appears to be the next step in the evolution for Casas, who sometimes sat against particularly tough lefties over his first two seasons. Casas was in the starting lineup the last two times Boston faced an ace left-hander this spring -- last Saturday against Chris Sale and Tuesday versus Max Fried. Casas had two hits off Sale, including a monster opposite-field home run, before Fried struck him out twice. The 25-year-old first baseman is batting .167 (12-for-30) with two home runs, four RBI, six walks and 13 strikeouts through 12 Cactus League games.

Tellez has made a strong case for an Opening Day roster spot this spring, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Tellez, who is currently a non-roster invitee, is leaving the Mariners with a tough roster decision to make ahead of Opening Day. Through 37 Cactus League at-bats, the veteran slugger is batting .297 with three home runs, two doubles and four RBI. If Tellez makes the cut, he's expected to mix in at first base with fellow left-handed hitter Luke Raley and at designated hitter with Mitch Garver as well as Mitch Haniger (shoulder).

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he expects Goldschmidt (back) to return to the lineup Thursday or Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Goldschmidt had to depart Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, which is an injury he'd been battling through for a few days. As long as the veteran first baseman avoids a setback, there's no worry about his Opening Day readiness.

Goldschmidt was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Blue Jays due to a sore back, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Goldschmidt said he's been battling through the injury for a few days. He went 0-for-1 with a walk before exiting. Goldschmidt expressed no concern that the injury might affect his Opening Day availability, so consider him day-to-day. He's produced a 1.077 OPS with three home runs so far this spring.