MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Mayer has recovered from a stomach illness and plans to play in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

One of multiple players in Red Sox camp who has succumbed to a stomach bug in recent days, Mayer is the first of the ailing players to regain health and resume working out. The illness thus doesn't look like it'll be anything that sets Mayer back heading into the season, but the 22-year-old shortstop remains likely to open at Triple-A Worcester rather than with the big club.

Cruz has gone 3-for-12 with two home runs and three stolen bases across 12 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Cruz popped his second homer of spring on a hanging changeup during Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. He's showcased his fantasy-friendly profile early in spring thanks to his power and aggressiveness on the basepaths, though he's also struck out six times.

The Padres reassigned De Vries to minor-league camp Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 18-year-old De Vries and fellow teenage prospect Ethan Salas were among the 11 cuts the Padres made Thursday. De Vries posted an .803 OPS with 11 homers and 13 steals with Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2024 and could move up to High-A Fort Wayne in 2025.

Pena has focused on being more selective with his swings this spring, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena adjusted his swing in preparation for the 2024 season, and this year, his focus has been laying off bad pitches in live batting practice. Across 1,842 career plate appearances, Pena has only a 4.9 percent walk rate but has still managed exactly a 100 wRC+. Despite this report, it is worth noting that Pena has not drawn a walk across 10 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

Williams went 1-for-4 with a double against the Red Sox in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game.

Williams got the chance to start at shortstop while hitting fifth in the order. He faced Garrett Crochet in the second inning and fell behind 0-2 in the count before lacing a double to left field that landed just before the wall. Williams is a candidate for a mid-season promotion to the majors and has gone 2-for-13 with three strikeouts and two walks so far in spring training.

Clement (mouth) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

An errant fastball struck Clement in the face during Monday's exhibition against the Tigers, but he managed to avoid any fractures and was cleared of a concussion. The 28-year-old is now ready to resume his preparations for Opening Day, as he gears up to serve as the primary third baseman for Toronto in 2025.

The Tigers reassigned Leonard to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Leonard went 3-for-15 with an RBI and two runs scored over eight Grapefruit League games. The 24-year-old infielder will now begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Toledo and could make a push for the majors sometime this summer.

Tovar left Wednesday's spring game against the Padres due to a left triceps contusion, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Tovar had his left arm hit by a pitch from Michael King in the first inning and was replaced by Owen Miller in the third frame. Tovar's removal likely precautionary, and it wouldn't be surprising if he returns to action after Thursdays team off day. The 23-year-old shortstop is coming off a strong 2024 season in which he slashed .269/.295/.469 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI across 694 plate appearances.

The Rockies optioned Jones to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Jones was in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a utility player, but after striking out eight times in his first nine Cactus League at-bats, his chances of breaking camp with the big club disappeared. The 27-year-old switch hitter received a cup of coffee with the Rockies last June, going 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk over six games before finishing the season at Albuquerque.

The Reds reassigned Arroyo to minor-league camp Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 21-year-old Arroyo is coming off a lost 2024 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, so it's no surprise that he's a relatively early cut by the Reds. Arroyo finished the 2023 campaign at Double-A Chattanooga and is likely headed back there to begin this season.