MLB Player News

Manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that the Rangers are monitoring Leiter's finger blister and will soon decide whether a stint on the injured list is necessary, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old exited Wednesday's start due to the blister and could probably pitch through the issue, but Texas is considering whether to instead allow it to heal up over the next couple weeks. Patrick Corbin is expected step into the starting rotation if Leiter ends up missing any time.

Jung (neck) fielded grounders prior to Friday's game, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung has also done some hitting as he works his way back from neck spasms, and he's set to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco on Saturday, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Jung is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, and he has a good shot to return that day. Josh Smith has been the primary third baseman for the Rangers since Jung was shelved.

Heim is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

Kyle Higashioka will make another start behind the plate, catching for Tyler Mahle. Through eight games, each catcher has been in the starting lineup four times. Heim is slashing .308/.308/.769 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored through 13 plate appearances on the young season.

Brash (elbow) threw a bullpen session prior to Friday's series opener against the Giants, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash is progressing as planned in his recovery from 2024 Tommy John surgery, although the next step in his throwing program has hit a brief delay. The right-hander appears to be ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, but Daniel Kramer of MLB.com notes Brash has remained with the Mariners in San Francisco instead of joining Triple-A Tacoma due to frigid temperatures in the forecast in Reno, where Tacoma has a three-game weekend set. The hard-throwing Brash should be able to get in his first rehab action at some point next week, and he remains on track to help Seattle's bullpen in late April or early May.

Renfroe is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

The 33-year-old is off to a slow start and will begin Friday's series opener on the bench, as Cavan Biggio is in the lineup at designated hitter with MJ Melendez in right field. Renfroe is 2-for-18 at the plate with one double, three RBI, three walks and six strikeouts through five games this season.

The Orioles optioned Carlson to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The 26-year-old was called up by Baltimore on Monday but will return to Norfolk with Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) coming off the injured list. Carlson appeared in two games during his brief time in the majors and went 0-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, a run and four strikeouts.

The Orioles activated Henderson (intercostal) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Henderson got a late start to the season after suffering a right intercostal strain in late February, but he's ready to go after playing five rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk and slugging a pair of home runs. The 23-year-old superstar finished fourth in the American League MVP voting in 2024 after collecting an .893 OPS with 37 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Bellinger is dealing with back stiffness but could be available off the bench Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Bellinger's back started to tighten up on him Thursday and Boone wanted to give the 29-year-old a day off after the flight into Pittsburgh. It sounds like he could return to the Yankees' lineup as soon as Saturday.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Matzek (oblique) is close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment and could join the big-league bullpen by the end of April, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Matzek inked a minor-league deal with the Yankees in February but suffered a strained oblique during Grapefruit League play Feb. 25. The 34-year-old left-handed reliever missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery and pitched just 10 innings in the big leagues with Atlanta last season, turning in a 9.90 ERA and 10:3 K:BB across 11 regular-season appearances.

Effross suffered a setback with his strained hamstring and remains in a holding pattern with his recovery, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Effross suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in his first appearance of the spring back on Feb. 25 and remains without an official timetable for his return. He's yet to advance to facing hitters. The 31-year-old right-hander pitched just 3.1 innings in the big leagues with the Yankees last season, registering a 5.40 ERA and 2:2 K:BB across three regular-season appearances.