MLB Player News

Loaisiga (elbow) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Sunday, will toss another live bullpen after that and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Loaisiga underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last April, putting him just over 12 months post-surgery. The veteran reliever began throwing to hitters this past Wednesday and seems to have come away without any setbacks given his scheduled live session Sunday. Once Loaisiga's rehab assignment kicks off he'll likely need several weeks to ramp up, but there's a chance he could be back in the big-league club's bullpen by late May.

Springer went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's win over Seattle.

Springer led off the second inning with a single and the fourth inning with a double, eventually coming around to score following both knocks. It's been a resurgent start to the season for the veteran outfielder, who's slashing .385/.441/.615 with two home runs, four doubles, 10 RBI and two stolen bases over 59 plate appearances (18 games). Friday marked Springer's eighth multi-hit effort of the campaign already.

Tellez homered in his lone at-bat in Friday's loss to Toronto, adding a walk.

Tellez drilled a solo homer into right field in the second inning, putting the Mariners on the board and tying the game at 1-1. A strong showing during spring training allowed Tellez to make Seattle's Opening Day roster, but the veteran slugger is off to an icy start at the plate while functioning on the strong side of a platoon at first base with Donovan Solano. Tellez is slashing .135/.195/.324 with two long balls, one double and five RBI through 41 plate appearances (14 games), so he can be left on waiver wires in the majority of fantasy leagues.

The Red Sox will reinstate Hendriks (elbow) from the injured list Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hendriks has fired three shutout innings while striking out five batters across his three rehab appearances in the minor leagues, and he's now due to join the active roster for the first time since signing a two-year deal with the Red Sox prior to the 2024 campaign. Aroldis Chapman seems to have a tight grip on the closer job in Boston, but Hendriks should still be used fairly often in high-leverage situations.

Hoffman picked up the save after throwing a clean ninth inning in Friday's win over Seattle. He struck out two.

The Mariners made Hoffman work Friday, as the right-hander won a seven-pitch sequence against Randy Arozarena and an eight-pitch battle versus Dylan Moore by way of the punchout. The hard-throwing Hoffman has excelled as Toronto's closer to begin the season, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and a pristine 16:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings. The righty is a perfect 5-for-5 in save opportunities so far.

Povich (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on six hits and five walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings.

Povich had trouble keeping the ball in yard, as three home runs accounted for all seven runs against him, including a three-run shot by Matt McLain in the fourth inning that gave the Reds a six-run lead. Povich gave up more runs in Friday's loss than he had across his three prior outings (six), and he wasn't able to get through the fourth inning despite tossing 84 pitches (48 strikes). He'll look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Nationals.

The Red Sox plan to option Dobbins to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dobbins pitched well during his spot start Friday, giving up two runs while striking out six batters in six innings, but he'll end up as the odd man out of a roster spot with Liam Hendriks (elbow) set to return to Boston's bullpen Saturday. The 25-year-old Dobbins now owns a 2.45 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in the majors this year, and he could make another appearance for the Red Sox later this summer if the team runs into more problems with injuries in its big-league rotation.

Kjerstad went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Reds.

Kjerstad was responsible for driving in the final runs of Friday's game, as he took the second pitch he saw from Scott Barlow deep to right-center field for a two-run home run in the eighth inning. Kjerstad has belted a home run in back-to-back games and has logged two RBI in each of his last three outings. He's slashing .261/.268/.500 with nine runs scored, three home runs and 12 RBI across 49 plate appearances so far this season.

Mullins went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Reds.

Mullins opened the scoring in the second inning when he took a 91-mph fastball from Andrew Abbott deep to right field for a solo home run. It was Mullins' fifth home run of the year, and his 18 RBI are tied with Tyler Soderstrom and Spencer Torkelson for second most in the American League behind Aaron Judge (22).

Ragans (1-1) took the loss Friday against the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters across four-plus innings.

Pitching at an 18 K/9 pace typically indicates a strong performance from a pitcher, but that was just about the only positive thing Ragans had going for him Friday. He squandered an early lead by allowing an RBI single in the second inning and began pitching from behind after giving up a solo shot to Andy Ibanez in the fourth. Ragans came back out for the start of the fifth frame but was quickly pulled after allowing the first three batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score. The swing-and-miss specialist now carries a 3.58 ERA following his tough outing, though he should have a good chance to bounce back during his next start against a Rockies lineup that strikes out 10.8 times per game.