MLB Player News

Jansen (rib) is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Friday's opener against the Rockies.

Jansen missed the last several days of spring training with a pulled muscle in his ribcage, but he came out of a simulated game Wednesday with no issues and is ready to roll. The former Blue Jay is expected to receive the bulk of the reps at catcher for the Rays this season.

Volpe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a 4-2 win against Milwaukee.

Volpe swatted a solo shot in the second inning after Austin Wells went deep leading off the bottom of the first for the Yankees. The Opening Day homer gave Volpe a promising start to the campaign in the power department after he clubbed just 12 long balls over 688 plate appearances last season. The young shortstop hit 21 home runs across 601 plate appearances as a rookie in 2023, so there's reason to believe there's more power in his bat than he demonstrated in his sophomore campaign.

Slaten struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rangers.

Closer Aroldis Chapman entered for the eighth inning with the game tied 2-2, as the lefty-hitting Corey Seager was batting leadoff, opening up the ninth inning for Slaten after Boston took the lead. The right-hander recorded two saves and 13 holds with a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB across 55.1 innings as a rookie last season, and he's one of the Red Sox's top relief arms again in 2025, even if Chapman is expected to be the primary closer early on.

Jackson (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox after surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2 and struck out Triston Casas to open the frame. Jackson then allowed a single and a walk before serving up a three-run homer to Wilyer Abreu. Jackson emerged as the apparent favorite for saves late in spring training, and though Thursday wasn't a save situation, his 2025 campaign is off to an inauspicious start. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia are also in the closer mix, and rookie Marc Church could also be involved in high-leverage spots.

Bader went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals.

Bader appeared ticketed for fourth-outfielder duties with the Twins heading into spring training, but he seems to be a beneficiary of the injuries to infielders Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back). With Lewis and Lee on the injured list, Jose Miranda is expected to see the majority of the starts at third base to begin the season, making corner outfielders Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner candidates to see more time at designated hitter and thereby opening up a spot in the outfield for Bader. His performance Thursday should also help keep him the lineup in the short term until Lee or Lewis return.

Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. Wallner will likely sit against most left-handed pitchers -- he had a .275/.387/.566 slash line against righties last year over 217 plate appearances, but just a .184/.295/.316 line in 44 PAs against southpaws.

McFarland threw two-thirds of an inning with no hits or walks Thursday against the Mariners.

McFarland entered the game in the eighth inning after Jose Leclerc gave up two home runs and blew a one-run lead. McFarland put up a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 56.2 innings last year and tallied 19 holds. He could be a primary setup man for the A's alongside Leclerc, at least until Michel Otanez returns from a shoulder injury and is added to the mix.

Urshela started at third base and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners.

Urshela looks set as the everyday starter at third base to begin the season. While he had just a .647 OPS over 128 regular-season games between Detroit and Atlanta last season, he still has a good glove at the hot corner. His Defensive Runs Saved ranked 18th at the position last season.

Gilbert didn't factor in the decision Thursday against the Athletics after striking out eight and giving up one run on two hits and no walks over seven innings.

The right-hander kept the A's off the board aside from a solo homer by Tyler Soderstrom in the fifth inning, as Gilbert and Luis Severino engaged in a pitcher's duel before the two bullpens combined to allow five runs across the seventh and eighth innings. Gilbert consistently worked ahead in the count and threw a first-pitch strike to 22 of the 23 batters he faced. He's established himself as one of the most reliable starters in MLB and could contend for the AL Cy Young Award in 2025, especially if he can improve even slightly on his 3.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 220:37 K:BB across 208.2 innings from last year.

Severino didn't factor in the decision Thursday against Seattle after striking out six and allowing three hits and four walks over six scoreless innings.

The right-hander was a bit wild at times with four free passes and a hit-by-pitch, but he kept the Mariners off the board by scattering the baserunners and not giving up any extra-base hits. Severino missed out on the victory when the A's bullpen was unable to maintain a 1-0 lead, but it was still a strong debut with the team after inking a two-year, $45 million contract in December. He lines up to pitch against the Cubs next week.