MLB Player News

Hendriks (elbow) resumed playing catch Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Hendriks received a cortisone shot Thursday and said he feels much better. He said the shot loosened the tension in what he called a compressed nerve. The right-hander believes he can return from the 15-day injured list around when he's first eligible April 8, but manager Alex Cora said that the Red Sox will not skip any steps in the rehab process for Hendriks, who didn't pitch for the big club and was limited to six minor-league appearances while finishing up his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Fitts (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Rangers.

Fitts looked impressive through five innings of one-run ball. He coughed up three straight singles in the second inning but went on to retire 12 consecutive batters. However, he gave up solo homers to Wyatt Langford and Adolis Garcia in the sixth, his third time through the order. Fitts was efficient with just 71 pitches (53 strikes) but still took the loss during his quality start. He's projected for a home matchup against the Cardinals this weekend. Beyond that, Fitts' role is unclear with both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) expected to begin rehab assignments this week.

Casas will not start Monday in Baltimore, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The top four in Boston's order hit a combined .138 (9-for-65) during a season-opening series that saw the Red Sox lose three of four games in Texas. Casas, who was 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts, will get the day off against Baltimore lefty Cade Povich, the first southpaw starter the team will face this season.

Jackson allowed a hit and a walk during a scoreless inning against Boston on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Jackson retired the first two batters he faced on just five pitches. He then coughed up a double to Jarren Duran and walked Rafael Devers before striking out Alex Bregman to close out the 3-2 victory. Jackson was roughed up in his first appearance, allowing three runs while recording only one out and taking a loss Thursday. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy showed confidence in Jackson by throwing him in save situations Friday and Sunday. Jackson converted both, leading to a 3-1 series win for Texas.

Devers will be part of the starting lineup Monday against the Orioles, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The Red Sox had a few positive takeaways after dropping three of four games in their season-opening series versus the Rangers, but one glaring negative storyline is Devers, who went 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts. Red Sox manager Alex Cora talked to Devers about tightening his batting stance to create a better base, but the skipper also acknowledged that a player knows his swing the best and trusts Devers to make whatever adjustments the player feels are needed.

DeGrom allowed two hits and two walks over five scoreless frames in a no-decision against Boston on Sunday. He struck out six batters in the Rangers' win.

DeGrom looked sharp in his season debut; he generated 16 whiffs, including 10 with his slider, and coughed up just one extra-base hit. His fastball averaged 96.7 mph and touched 98.1 mph. DeGrom went into the start with a limit of around 75 pitches or five innings, which he nearly matched with his 73 pitches (49 strikes) across five frames. The veteran righty should progressively see his workload expand, starting with his next projected outing this weekend at home against the Rays.

Anthony went 2-for-3 with two walks, two home runs, three RBI and two additional runs scored for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Anthony turned on a cutter in sixth inning, depositing his first home run over the fence in right field, then went the other way in the eighth on a sinker for his second blast. In addition to the raw power, Anthony showed off another of his best traits: good swing decisions. Across five plate appearances, he swung at just one pitch outside the zone, working a pair of walks for the second consecutive game.

Paris went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday in a 3-2 win against the White Sox.

Jo Adell (hip) was held out Sunday, and Paris started in center field in his place. The 23-year-old took advantage of the opportunity, going deep to left-center field in the eighth inning for what turned out to be the game-winning run. Paris struggled mightily in brief big-league stints each of the past two years, but he's made some adjustments to his swing that led to an eye-opening spring and a spot on the Opening Day roster. He probably won't get regular playing time, especially once Zach Neto (shoulder) returns, but Paris is worth keeping an eye on in fantasy in case an everyday spot in the lineup opens up for him.

Rice went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run in Sunday's 12-3 win against Milwaukee.

Rice got in on a homer-happy weekend by the Yankees, smashing a 383-foot solo shot to right field in the second inning. The 26-year-old has started at DH in two of New York's first three games and has gone 3-for-6 with three runs scored. As long as Rice continues to get regular playing time, he can be a useful source of power in fantasy -- he belted 31 long balls over 129 regular-season contests across the minors and majors last season.

Abreu went 1-for-1 with three walks, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Texas.

Boston's bats overall have been sluggish to open the season but not Abreu's. Including an epic Opening Day -- two home runs, four RBI -- the outfielder has seven hits in 10 at-bats with five walks, four extra-base hits and six RBI. His final walk Sunday was intentional, as the Red Sox attempted to come back. Abreu's start to the season is another example that spring training numbers mean little; an illness limited him to 20 at-bats (one hit) in the Grapefruit League, and there was talk he might begin the season on the injured list.