MLB Player News

Volpe went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Orioles.

Volpe went deep to left-center field in the sixth inning. The 23-year-old is tied for third on the Yankees with three long balls this spring and is tied for the team lead with three stolen bases. Volpe is batting just .200 in spring play, but he's locked in as New York's primary shortstop and appears slated to hit in the middle of the order on a near-everyday basis.

Schmidt (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Schmidt felt good during a 32-pitch live batting practice session Thursday and recovered well Friday. However, he admitted that taking his first turn in the regular-season rotation would "handcuff" the club since he's not fully stretched out, putting extra pressure on the bullpen. As long as he continues to trend in a positive direction, Schmidt's stint on the IL should be brief. With the right-hander out, both Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren would be part of the Yankees' Opening Day rotation.

Warren will likely open the campaign in the Yankees' rotation if Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) begins the season on the injured list, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Warren has been battling for a rotation spot all spring, as injuries to Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Luis Gil (lat) have depleted New York's starting pitching depth. Carlos Carrasco's impressive spring is likely to earn him a rotation spot, and Marcus Stroman seems to be a lock for a starting role as well, but Warren may still have a place in the rotation if Schmidt -- who has pitched in only one Grapefruit League game but did throw live batting practice Thursday -- isn't ready for his first scheduled start. Warren struggled in his most recent outing Thursday against Baltimore, allowing four runs and serving up two homers in 3.2 innings, but he's been mostly impressive this spring and has good numbers overall, including a 4.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB over 19.1 frames.

Bigge is not expected to be included on the Rays' Opening Day roster, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Bigge has had a good spring, allowing just two runs with a 6:1 K:BB over seven innings, but having minor-league options remaining worked against him. The hard-throwing right-hander still has a good shot to handle high-leverage situations in the Rays' bullpen at some point this season.

Faedo will begin the season on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder injury, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that an MRI on Faedo's shoulder didn't reveal anything "too alarming," but the right-hander will be shut down for a bit. Faedo had been in line for an Opening Day bullpen spot but could now be sidelined into May.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Jimenez will not make the Opening Day roster, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Cash noted that while Jimenez's bat "started to come to life" recently during Grapefruit League play, it's not going to be enough to crack the Opening Day roster. Jimenez -- who is on a minor-league contract -- will begin the season at Triple-A Durham and "could be huge for us at any point during the season," per Cash.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Mead has made the Opening Day roster, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Mead has been one of the best performers during Grapefruit League play, going an absurd 19-for-35 with one home run in 13 contests. Once the regular season begins, much of Mead's playing time likely will come versus left-handed pitching, although he could play his way into at-bats against righties, too, if he's able to carry over his performance from this spring. The 24-year-old has just a 78 wRC+ across 224 big-league plate appearances.

Goldschmidt (back) said Friday that he expects to return to the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Goldschmidt missed his target date to return, as he had hoped to play Thursday or Friday. However, he said his sore back is close to 100 percent and the decision was made to give it another day. Goldschmidt remains confident he'll be ready to go for Opening Day.

Goldschmidt (back) remains out of the Yankees' lineup for Friday's contest against the Tigers, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Goldschmidt had targeted either Thursday or Friday for his return to Grapefruit League play, but that goal wasn't met. There's no cause for concern yet, as the Yankees are likely just exercising caution with the veteran first baseman. The club might have more on Goldschmidt's status later Friday.

Rodriguez (illness) is starting in center field and batting second in Friday's split-squad game against the Reds.

Rodriguez has been dealing with an illness this week but is ready to rejoin the lineup Friday after taking a few days to rest up. The 24-year-old totaled 20 homers and 24 steals in 143 games last season but also had a career-worst .734 OPS. Rodriguez is batting just .229 through 13 spring games but has found his power stroke with three long balls.