MLB Player News

Westburg (elbow) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg was removed from Tuesday's spring game against the Blue Jays after he was struck on the left elbow by a pitch, but he avoided any structural damage and needed just one day off for the pain and soreness to subside. The 25-year-old is expected to begin the season as the Orioles' primary third baseman, though an early slump could result in him losing work to utility players Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo.

Rengifo (hamstring) will go through some baseball activities Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo aggravated his left hamstring injury during Tuesday's game but is feeling much better than when he first was hurt in late February. His readiness for Opening Day remains in question, but the Angels aren't ruling it out. Rengifo is in line for a super utility role this season.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Massey (back) had scans come back fine and is considered day-to-day, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's Cactus League lineup due to back tightness, and it appears the scans confirm that initial diagnosis. Massey is receiving treatment and doing some conditioning Wednesday, and it seems like he could be back on the field within the next few days.

Stefanic has been shut down from baseball activities after an MRI on his left quad came back worse than expected, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stefanic had an MRI after still feeling discomfort in the quad during a running drill and the test revealed the bad news. It's not clear how long this might set the infielder back, but a stint on the injured list to begin the season seems assured.

Rengifo said Wednesday that his left hamstring feels "way better" than it did when he was forced to leave Tuesday's Cactus League game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rengifo also hurt the same hamstring back on Feb. 26 but contends that the injury isn't as serious this time around. It's not clear when he might be ready to play in a game again, however, and his readiness for Opening Day certainly still seems to be very much up in the air.

Foscue may not have the edge to fill in at first base while Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is on the injured list, according to Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com.

Wilson reported the Rangers' preference at first base is to have Ezequiel Duran and Jared Walsh platoon as a replacement for Lowe. For that to happen, shortstop Corey Seager (groin) would need be ready by Opening Day, freeing Duran to play first base. Foscue, who was projected to start at first base in the latest roster projection compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, would be on the bubble. Designated hitter is a possibility, but Wyatt Langford appears to have the edge for that job.

Massey was scratched from the Royals' spring lineup Tuesday against the Giants due to lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Massey's removal seems to have been precautionary, though a better idea of the severity of Massey's injury should come once the team's trainers finish evaluating him. The 25-year-old has had a decent spring thus far, recording seven hits in 30 at-bats while hitting two homers and driving in five runs.

Westburg is expected to be fine after exiting Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Blue Jays following a hit by pitch on the left elbow, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg was lifted from the contest as a precaution after being plunked, but he checked out fine. It's possible the Orioles will hold him out for a day or so just to be safe, but there doesn't look to be any concern here.

Rengifo was removed from Tuesday's Cactus League contest versus the Reds with left hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rengifo came up lame after running to first base and exited the field with the trainer. It would appear to be an aggravation of the same hamstring injury he suffered back in late February. A trip to the injured list to begin the season seems likely, but the Angels should have more on Rengifo's condition after the game.

The Astros optioned Hensley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hensley went just 6-for-34 with 17 strikeouts this spring. The 27-year-old will be utilized in a utility role with Sugar Land.