MLB Player News

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.

The Mariners selected Castillo's contract from Triple-A Tacoma, and he's scheduled to start Friday against the Giants.

The right-hander allowed one run over 5.2 innings during his lone start for Tacoma this year and will now get a look in the big-league rotation. Castillo's only major-league experience came with Detroit in 2022, when he delivered a 4:0 K:BB over 3.2 scoreless frames in three appearances. He spent the 2023 and 2024 campaigns pitching in Japan and had a 3.01 ERA across 143.1 innings before inking a minor-league deal with Seattle during the offseason.

Bellinger is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

It'll be the first day off this season for Bellinger, who has made four starts in center field and one apiece in left and right over the Yankees' first six contests. Since a three-hit performance Match 29, the 30-year-old has gone 1-for-14 with two walks and five strikeouts. Trent Grisham will receive a start in center field and bat seventh in Friday's series opener at Pittsburgh.

The Mariners designated Danner for assignment Friday.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in early March and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Luis F. Castillo, who is making his MLB debut Friday against the Giants. Danner delivered 2.2 scoreless frames in two outings for Tacoma before the roster move, and he should remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Varsho (shoulder) is throwing from 150 feet but has not been cleared to throw during extended spring training games, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

A rehab assignment does not appear imminent for the center fielder. Varsho did not have any problems hitting in spring training while working his way back from right shoulder surgery, but the Blue Jays want the Gold Glover to be ready to handle his full duties before he's activated from the 10-day injured list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Burr (shoulder) could be ready to throw a bullpen session next week, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation since the beginning of spring training but is coming along steadily. He'll require a rehab assignment before returning, and it's going to be a while before he's ready to pitch in games.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Swanson (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he was given a cortisone injection to combat carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm. There's no timetable yet for Swanson's return, but he's making progress.