MLB Player News

McKinstry isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

Left-hander Blake Snell will draw the start for Los Angeles on Thursday, so the lefty-hitting McKinstry will begin Opening Day on the bench. Andy Ibanez will draw the start at third base instead and bat leadoff.

Taveras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The switch-hitting Taveras looks set to open the season as the Rangers' primary center fielder after Evan Carter was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock earlier this week. However, Taveras will occasionally hit the bench against certain left-handers, and he'll give way to Kevin Pillar in center field Thursday while Boston sends southpaw Garrett Crochet to the bump.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Pederson is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season, but he'll take a seat Thursday while the Red Sox send southpaw Garrett Crochet to the bump. Corey Seager is managing a calf injury and will get a day off from shortstop and step in as Texas' DH.

Heim is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Red Sox.

Heim has served as Texas' primary backstop for the past three seasons, but he'll give way to Kyle Higashioka behind the plate as the Rangers open the 2025 campaign. After he saw his OPS drop 152 points from .755 in 2023 to .603 in 2024, Heim could be at risk of moving into more a timeshare at catcher with Higashioka in the fold. Higashioka is coming off a 2024 season in San Diego in which he posted a .739 OPS over 263 plate appearances during the regular season.

Hendriks will get his right elbow examined in Texas, likely on Thursday, but the Red Sox are optimistic the injury isn't serious, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hendriks was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Thursday with a previously undisclosed elbow injury. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the reliever "wasn't bouncing back" as hoped and his stuff "wasn't where he wanted it to be." More will be known following Hendriks' visit with Dr. Keith Meister, but Breslow is optimistic the righty will return "pretty quickly."

The Athletics placed Waldichuk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2024, Waldichuk isn't expected to rejoin the Athletics until closer to midseason. The 27-year-old southpaw began throwing bullpen sessions in early March, but it will take a while for him to build to a starter's workload, if that's the role the A's have planned for him.

The Athletics placed Basso (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Basso has been held out of action since early March due to a left shoulder strain. It's still unknown how far he is from a return to the mound, but he'll be out for at least the first couple weeks of the season. Whenever he is able to return, he'll likely be optioned out to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Leiter was hit in the top of the head by a flyball during a batting practice Thursday, but he remains on track to start Friday against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter was likely sent for testing after the mishap, but he quickly returned to the field and appears to be fine. The young right-hander earned a spot in the Rangers' rotation after posting a 3.48 ERA and 21:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings during Cactus League play.

The Athletics selected Muncy's contract from Single-A Lansing on Thursday.

In addition to claiming a roster spot, Muncy will open the season as the Athletics' primary second baseman with Zack Gelof set to miss the first several weeks of the season after undergoing wrist surgery. The 22-year-old Muncy ended spring training with a .282 batting average and .768 OPS, which falls in line with what fantasy managers can expect from him at the plate if he can hit the ground running the majors.

Yoshida (shoulder), who was placed on the injured list earlier Thursday, will head to Boston to receive further consultation for a back injury, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

The severity of Yoshida's back injury remains unknown, but the team should provide an update once he's checked out back in Boston. Yoshida is already working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which limited him strictly to designated-hitter duties in spring training. Provided his back issue proves to be minor, Yoshida should soon be able to head out on a rehab assignment, where he'll likely pick up at-bats both as a DH and corner outfielder.