MLB Player News

Wong (finger) has progressed to hitting off a tee, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Recovering from a fractured left pinky finger, Wong hasn't done much catching yet but is expected to be cleared for that soon. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Wong could return in around two-and-a-half weeks, while the catcher believes it'll be sooner than that.

Rocchio is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Rocchio isn't dealing with any known injury, but he's now been out of the lineup for two of the last three games. Gabriel Arias will get the call at shortstop for the Guardians while Angel Martinez handles second base.

The Rays transferred Faedo (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faedo has been battling through right shoulder discomfort since spring training, and his move to the 60-day IL means he likely won't return until late May or early June. The move makes room on the Rays' 40-man roster for Chandler Simpson, who was called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday.

Swanson (forearm) will throw a simulated game Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

If that goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment early next week. Swanson is expected to require at least 4-to-5 rehab appearances, setting him up for a season debut sometime in early May if all goes well. He's working his way back from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Wells is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Rays due to food poisoning, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Wells received a routine day off Thursday and will miss a second straight game after he woke up ill overnight. Consider him day-to-day. J.C. Escarra will do the catching and bat sixth for the Yankees on Friday.

Smith (thumb) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

It's the fourth straight absence from the lineup for Smith as he continues to manage a bruised thumb. There's been no indication that the 27-year-old will require a trip to the injured list, but it may be considered given how much time he's already missed. Dustin Harris is receiving another start in left field for the Rangers.

Varsho (shoulder) will begin his rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin this weekend, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Varsho is expected to play a couple of games for Dunedin before shifting his rehab assignment to Triple-A Buffalo for approximately five games. Barring any setbacks, that would line Varsho up to return either near the end of the upcoming road trip against the Yankees or for the start of the Blue Jays' homestand April 29. Varsho is in the final stages of his recovery from a procedure on his right shoulder that he underwent in September.

Scherzer will take a couple days off from throwing after receiving another cortisone injection in his injured right thumb, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer felt renewed soreness after the first injection and it was recommended he get another shot for the thumb after he visited with a hand specialist Wednesday. He is expected to resume throwing Monday or Tuesday. A timetable for Scherzer's return won't be available until he's able to ramp up his throwing and is pain-free.

Dominguez is not in the Yankees' starting lineup against the Rays on Friday.

Dominguez will begin Friday's contest in the dugout after going 0-for-7 with one RBI and five strikeouts over his last two games. Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge will man the outfield for the Yankees in the second game of the series.

Moore is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Toronto.

Moore is coming off a monster series against the Reds, having gone 7-for-12 with two home runs and two stolen bases. Despite that, he will begin the series opener versus the Blue Jays on the bench. Miles Mastrobuoni will start at second base and hit seventh for the Mariners.