MLB Player News

Scherzer (thumb) will start Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer's right thumb bounced back well from Thursday's bullpen session, officially clearing the way for him to return to Grapefruit League action. He is targeting 60-to-65 pitches Saturday and, as long as he doesn't have a setback with the thumb that day or Sunday, will be ready to roll for the start of the regular season.

Hamilton started at second base and went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases and one run scored in Thursday's spring game against Minnesota.

Hamilton now has eight stolen bases in 19 Grapefruit League games. Boston's decision to assign Vaughn Grissom to minor-league camp Wednesday leaves Hamilton and Kristian Campbell as the last two candidates standing for the starting gig at the keystone, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Chad Jennings of The Athletic that final roster decisions may not be made until 48 hours before Opening Day. "Maybe Monterrey," he said, referencing next week's pair of exhibition games in Mexico. "We're getting close, but we're not in a rush." Jennings' report also includes a roster projection that has Hamilton making the roster, either in a platoon at second base or as a utility player that gets a lot of playing time off the bench. Jennings also indicates that both the industry and the Red Sox seem to value Hamilton more than his fantasy profile suggests.

Newcomb allowed one unearned run on four hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Twins.

Newcomb has flown under the radar for much of spring training, but injuries to Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) opened up a need for two pitchers to fill temporary holes in the rotation. Richard Fitts appears to have one of them locked up, while Newcomb, Cooper Criswell and Quinn Priester vie for the other one. Newcomb has a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks over 14.1 Grapefruit League innings.

Wesneski will undergo X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The X-rays seem to be precautionary, as Wesneski was spotted participating in drills Friday. Assuming testing doesn't uncover a more serious issue, the right-hander is slated to open the season as the Astros' fifth starter, an assignment that became more important when Luis Garcia was shut down Thursday after experiencing further soreness in his elbow.

Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.

Carter and Leody Taveras could operate as a platoon in center field to start the regular season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Carter's struggles against left-handed pitching mean he could face righties only, although Taveras isn't much better against southpaws. This spring, Carter has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against left-handers, while Taveras is slashing .154/.214/.154 in 13 at-bats against them. Texas manager Bruce Bochy was bullish about both, noting each have been squaring up the ball better over the last few weeks. Carter was passable against lefties in the minors, but he hasn't had the opportunity to consistently face the high-caliber left-handers that pitch in the majors.

Rocker allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 4.2 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Rockies.

Although not a perfect outing, Thursday's effort was Rocker's best in four Cactus League appearances. He had allowed 11 runs over his first 4.1 innings this spring, but this latest effort represents a second straight encouraging outing. The 25-year-old right-hander threw 76 pitches (47 strikes), as he continued to refine the mechanical issues that were on display in his first two starts. Rocker is poised to slot into the Rangers' rotation after the club lost Cody Bradford (elbow) and Jon Gray (wrist) to injuries last week.

Carlson is batting 8-for-29 (.320) with two home runs, eight RBI and two stolen bases this spring, but Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun doesn't project the outfielder as part of Baltimore's Opening Day Roster.

Meyer instead lists Ramon Laureano, who has gone just 6-for-30 (.200) with one homer and three RBI in spring training, as his expected Orioles' fifth outfielder. Both players were signed to one-year contracts during the offseason. Neither Carlson or Laureano would enter the season with much fantasy relevance while functioning in a weak-side platoon in a lefty-heavy group of outfielders.

Whitley (knee) is not likely to be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley suffered the injury in a Grapefruit League game in mid-March and there has been no news of him resuming throwing or other baseball activities. However, general manager Dana Brown did say he expects Whitley to be available at some point in April.

Ort (oblique) is not likely to be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ort first suffered the injury early in spring training and has resumed throwing off a mound. While it's very likely he'll begin the season on the injured list, general manager Dana Brown said he expects Ort to return at some point in April