MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Hendriks (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Friday or Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

It will be the first time Hendriks has thrown off a mound since he landed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Hendriks will be eligible for activation April 8, but given that he's just now getting back on the bump, he's unlikely to return at that time.

Cobb (hip) said Friday that he expects to throw a live batting practice session early next week, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Cobb has been throwing bullpen sessions, but this will be his first time facing hitters since he was diagnosed with right hip inflammation at the beginning of spring training. There is no timeline for the veteran right-hander's return, but it likely won't happen for at least another month or so.

Vierling (shoulder) said Friday that he has yet to start up a throwing program, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old resumed hitting a couple weeks ago and is taking part in defensive drills, but he apparently needs to strengthen his shoulder a bit more before he can begin full baseball activities. According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Vierling will undergo an MRI within the next week, presumably to check the progress of the strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Rojas is dealing with a midsection injury and didn't break camp with an affiliate, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

It's not an arm injury for Rojas, which is encouraging, and he should be able to return before the end of April. The 22-year-old southpaw threw two hitless, scoreless innings against the Twins on March 15 in the Spring Breakout game and logged a 2.43 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 61:12 K:BB in 55.2 innings at High-A last year, so he might be ready to get his first assignment to Double-A once cleared.

Perez (back) was given the second of two scheduled cortisone injections Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Perez is recovering from lumbar spine inflammation and it's not clear when he will be ready to resume baseball activities. The outfielder is not expected back until sometime in May.

The Yankees activated Williams from the paternity leave list Friday.

Williams missed this week's three-game series against the Diamondbacks while welcoming a new addition to his family. He'll be available to close as the Yankees begin a series in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Wong is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Wong isn't dealing with any known injury, but this is the second straight game he's sat out and Friday is Boston's home opener, so it's a bit curious that he's not in the lineup. Carlos Narvaez will do the catching and bat eighth Friday.

Kreidler is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the White Sox.

Kreidler has been the Tigers' primary center fielder in the early going this season as the club deals with numerous injuries in its outfield, but he will begin this one on the bench. Riley Greene will slide over to center field for the series opener.

Rogers is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the White Sox.

It's a routine day off for Rogers, who had started the last two contests. Dillon Dingler will do the catching and bat seventh for the Tigers.

Whitlock allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Thursday's 8-4 win over Baltimore.

Whitlock finished up the final two innings, and all three of his outings to start the season have lasted two frames. That was the blueprint Red Sox manager Alex Cora set for the right-hander during spring training; when possible, Whitlock would throw two innings every time he pitched. He's allowed just the one run through six innings while striking out six and walking one.