MLB Player News

Soderstrom is hitting just .156/.224/.338 with three homers, 10 RBI and eight runs across 22 games for High-A Lansing.

After wreaking havoc at Low-A Stockton last year, Soderstrom came into 2022 with great expectations and lofty rankings on a lot of prospect lists. However, the 2020 first-rounder has been lost at the plate to open the season, having collected just a single multi-hit game (in which he hit two of his three home runs) while seeing his walk rate sink to 7.5 percent and his strikeout rate climb to an alarming 30.0 percent. It's worth noting that Soderstrom, who was drafted as a catcher and mostly played behind the plate last year, has been used at first base or DH in five straight games. It's possible that this year's issues have to do with the strain of catching (which likely was responsible for ending his season prematurely last year) catching up to him, or perhaps due to a focus on adjusting to a new defensive position. Most analysts agree that his future isn't behind the plate, and perhaps making that move to a less stressful position will lead to better results. He did hit a 111 mph double while starting at first base Thursday, according to Lansing broadcaster Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, so perhaps that's a sign that he's starting to come around.

Kirk went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Guardians.

Kirk led off the seventh inning with his first home run of the season. He has only two extra-base hits across 77 plate appearances to begin the campaign, resulting in a .313 slugging percentage. There are still plenty of things to like in Kirk's profile, however, highlighted by his plate discipline with a 9:8 BB:K.

Murphy was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to neck spasms, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The injury is not expected to hold Murphy out long term, and the hope is that he can return at some point during the team's weekend series against the Rays. Even so, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Luis Torrens draw a start behind the plate Friday to allow Murphy an additional day of rest.

Murphy was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Rays for undisclosed reasons, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Murphy was slated to return to the Mariners' lineup after sitting Wednesday. Luis Torrens -- already in the lineup as the designated hitter -- is now behind the plate, while Adam Frazier enters the lineup to hit ninth and serve as the designated hitter.

Jansen (oblique) will do some running and hit in the batting cage after traveling to Cleveland with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen took part in live batting practice early this week, and he'll ramp up his activity level and intensity now that he's traveling with the team. The 27-year-old is hopeful he'll be able to start a rehab assignment soon but said the next steps in his recovery will depend on how his body responds to his increased workload.

Rutschman (triceps) will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and is expected to be reinstated from the affiliate's 7-day injured list, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Even though he reported to spring training as the leading candidate to break camp as the Orioles' No. 1 catcher, Rutschman began the season on Norfolk's injured list since he doesn't yet have a spot on Baltimore's 40-man roster. Since returning to action in the lower levels of the minors following a five-week absence due to a right triceps strain, Rutschman has looked healthy and productive. Between stops at High-A Aberdeen and Bowie, Rutschman has gone 11-for-25 with five doubles and four walks. Rutschman's stay at Norfolk will likely last longer than his stints with Bowie and Aberdeen, but if he continues to rake at the plate, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft could get the call to the big leagues later in May or June.

Mejia was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia has been out for just shy of two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus. Prior to his absence, he'd been splitting time behind the plate with Mike Zunino, starting six of the team's first 13 games, and he'd gotten off to a hot start, hitting .348 with a pair of homers. He should return to a similar role now that he's healthy, with Rene Pinto heading to Triple-A Durham to clear space on the roster.

Plawecki will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Angels, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

A heavy slate of day games after night games has allowed Plawecki to claim more playing time of late, as he'll handle catching duties for the third time in five games while No. 1 backstop Christian Vazquez sits. Plawecki has done little to move the needle across his 26 plate appearances on the season, slashing .174/.200/.174 with an RBI and a run.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox and Angels are concluding their series with a day game, so Vazquez will receive a routine breather after he went 0-for-3 with a walk while serving as Boston's catcher in Wednesday's 10-5 loss. Kevin Plawecki will relieve Vazquez behind the dish Thursday.

Huff went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

After a brief callup to the majors, Huff has shown off his power stroke with three home runs over the two games since he returned to the Express. The home run potential is what draws attention to Huff, and the 24-year-old is slashing .258/.329/.561 with a .890 OPS, six home runs and 14 RBIs in 17 games at Triple-A.