MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Matzek (oblique) has a "pretty good strain" and will be sidelined a few weeks, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Matzek hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since Feb. 25 due to an oblique strain. The good news is Boone noted that Matzek is now asymptomatic and could resume a throwing program Monday. The lefty reliever had been in line to make the team as a non-roster invitee, but he now won't be ready for Opening Day.

Dubin (shoulder) will resume playing catch Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Dubin has been out all spring with right shoulder inflammation but is finally ready to begin a throwing progression. He will not be ready in time for Opening Day, however.

Loaisiga (elbow) has been throwing off a mound since at least March 4, per MLB.com.

Loaisiga is working his way back from the internal brace procedure he underwent last April. The righty reliever isn't going to be ready for the start of the regular season, but he could rejoin the Yankees' bullpen around early May. Loaisiga may be able to work his way up to a high-leverage role once he's back in action.

Ort (oblique) has progressed to flat-ground throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort tweaked his left oblique early in camp but has made progress of late. However, given that he's not throwing off a mound yet, his availability for Opening Day would appear to be in question.

Beeter (shoulder) is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Beeter has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game because of a right shoulder problem. He had been throwing off a mound, but it's not clear whether he might have suffered a setback. Beeter has been converted to reliever and could work his way into an important role in the Yankees' bullpen, once healthy.

Berroa (elbow) needs Tommy John surgery, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Berroa had been diagnosed with a right elbow strain following a Cactus League appearance in late February, but subsequent testing has revealed more extensive damage. He will be sidelined for the duration of the 2025 campaign and could get a late start to next season, as well. Prior to the injury, Berroa had a shot to serve in a high-leverage relief role for the White Sox.

Matzek may not be ready for Opening Day after being diagnosed with an oblique injury, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The severity of the issue isn't clear, but any sort of oblique strain this close to the start of the season likely means Matzek won't be ready for the opener. The southpaw is in camp as a non-roster invitee but likely would have made the initial 26-man roster if he was healthy. Instead, Matzek will aim for a mid-season debut with the Yankees.

Whitlock will make his spring debut Friday against the Marlins, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Whitlock was on a strict throwing schedule this spring as he recovered from an internal brace procedure, which included planned one-week downtimes which the team described as "de-load" weeks. He'll pitch Friday in relief of starter Walker Buehler. Red Sox manager Alex Cora sees Whitlock has a high-leverage, multi-inning weapon that can deployed in the late innings. Save opportunities are not out of the question, but the Red Sox have Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten pegged for closing duties.

Crochet allowed two hits and one walk while striking out seven over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against the Rays.

Crochet cruised through his third Grapefruit League start and finished it in style by striking out the side in his third and final inning. The left-hander has not allowed a run over 6.1 spring innings while striking out 14.

Garcia walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Thursday's spring game against San Diego.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy earlier in camp referred to Garcia as one of the main arms in the mix for the closer role, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, but the pitcher's spring debut was delayed until Thursday due to nerve irritation in his left forearm. His ratios from 2024 don't jump out, but Garcia's underlying metrics, including 98th percentile hard-hit and barrel rates and a 94th percentile chase rate, indicate he was much better than a 4.22 ERA might indicate. At this point, Garcia and Chris Martin are the leading candidates for save opportunities in the Rangers' rebuilt bullpen.