MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Scherzer (thumb) will not play catch Friday but hopes to at some point during the team's upcoming road trip, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Friday had been deemed the first day Scherzer could potentially resume throwing after he was given cortisone injections in his injured right thumb. This isn't viewed as a setback and the righty will continue to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis to determine when he's ready to begin a throwing program.

Escarra went 1-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 9-7 victory over Arizona.

With Austin Wells getting a game off, Escarra made his first start of the campaign. The 29-year-old enjoyed a personal milestone in the seventh inning when he hit a double to right field for his first hit as a major-leaguer. Escarra is a feel-good story -- he made the Yankees' Opening Day roster this year after being out of affiliated ball in 2022 and 2023 -- but his fantasy viability is limited due to his role as a backup to Wells, though Escarra does have the ability to play at both corner-infield and corner-outfield spots if needed.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Crawford (knee) has not yet been cleared to face hitters, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Crawford's recovery from right patellar tendiopathy seems to be coming along as expected, but the Red Sox are proceeding cautiously with him. The right-hander is able to throw off a mound but it's not clear when he might be ready to face hitters and go out on a rehab assignment.

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.