MLB Player News

Murakami went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in Thursday's 14-2 loss against the Brewers.

Murakami made a great impression in his big-league debut, reaching base three times and launching a 384-foot solo shot to lead off the ninth inning for his first career MLB home run. The 26-year-old also showed strong plate discipline, drawing two walks in the contest and looking comfortable at the plate on a day when Brewers pitchers recorded 20 strikeouts. The homer, which he pulled into the right-field corner, offered an early glimpse of the power that Murakami showcased in Japan, where he hit 246 home runs across eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Kayfus isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Kayfus was making starts in the outfield and at first base for the Guardians toward the end of last year, but he will stay put on the bench to begin Cleveland's season opener. Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann and Chase DeLauter will start across the outfield Thursday, and Rhys Hoskins will get the nod at first base against Seattle righty Logan Gilbert.

The Guardians selected Hoskins' contract to the major-league roster Wednesday.

Hoskins joined Cleveland on a minor-league contract in February and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster with an .817 OPS and three homers during spring training. The 33-year-old is expected to split playing time between first base and designated hitter with Kyle Manzardo.

The Red Sox placed Casas (knee) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Casas is expected to remain at extended spring training in Florida for at least the first month of the season while he works his way back from the surgery he underwent May 4 to address a ruptured left patellar tendon. Per MLB.com, Casas recently reached a key milestone in the recovery process by getting cleared to run the bases and slide, but it's unclear when he might be ready to play in simulated games or take part in a minor-league rehab assignment.

Casas (knee) will continue his progression in Fort Myers for the next couple weeks before getting into extended spring training games, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Per Cotillo, sliding is the next big hurdle for Casas, who has already been cleared to run. Casas has been working on his rehab in Florida all offseason and is noticeably carrying less weight this spring.

Guerrero went 2-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The first-inning homer off Nick Martinez was Guerrero's first in eight Grapefruit League games, although he also slugged two in five contests for the Dominican Republic during the WBC. Guerrero is batting .444 (8-for-18) with a 4:1 BB:K for the Jays this spring, and the 27-year-old looks locked in for the start of the regular season.

The Twins optioned Wagaman to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Wagaman slashed .256/.341/.333 with one home run and a 5:13 BB:K this spring for the Twins. With Ryan Kreidler also sent to St. Paul, Tristan Gray appears to have captured the final spot on the Twins' bench.

The Red Sox optioned Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Boston also reassigned Matt Thaiss to minor-league camp as part of Monday's roster cuts, solidifying Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong as the big club's two catchers heading into Opening Day. Gasper is kicking off his second stint with the Red Sox after previously spending his 2024 rookie campaign in Boston before he was traded to the Twins last offseason. He saw limited action at the big-league level for Minnesota in 2025, slashing .158/.257/.232 with two home runs, two stolen bases, 11 RBI and 15 runs in 45 games.

Hoskins will be included on the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The veteran slugger still needs to be officially added to the active roster ahead of Thursday's season opener in Seattle. Hoskins had an .817 OPS with three homers in 12 spring training games after spending last season in Milwaukee, where he played in 90 regular-season contests and had a .237/.332/.416 slash line.

Casas (knee) has been cleared to run the bases and slide, MLB.com reports.

Casas, who took at-bats in a minor-league simulated game earlier this week, has cleared another hurdle. He's expected to stay behind in extended spring training until ready to begin a rehab assignment.