MLB Player News

Witt was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners after getting hit on the left forearm by a pitch.

Witt went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before getting plunked by a 96-mph sinker from Andres Munoz. It's unclear at the moment if he suffered any severe damage, but the Royals will likely run tests on their All-Star shortstop and offer an update in the near future.

Wong was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Twins due to illness, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Wong appears to have caught the bug that's been going around Boston's clubhouse this month. He should be OK after a day or two of rest. Seby Zavala will sub in at catcher Wednesday.

Stephenson (elbow) said Wednesday that he's throwing up to 92 miles per hour during his bullpen sessions, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson is already on the 60-day injured list while he completes his recovery from a UCL reconstruction procedure involving an internal brace, which he underwent May 1, 2024. The right-hander said he'll begin incorporating breaking balls into his bullpen sessions next week, and if all continues to go well in his throwing progression, he'll likely start facing hitters in April. Based on where he currently stands in his rehab program, Stephenson could be a candidate to return from the IL around when he's first eligible in late May.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he expects Devers (shoulders) to take at-bats during a simulated game Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

If all goes well in the sim game, Devers could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus Atlanta. Devers appears to be further away from taking part in full defensive drills at third base, making it likelier by the day that he'll be limited to a designated-hitter duties to begin the 2025 campaign. If that's the case, Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) would presumably open the season on the injured list, as he's been making starts at DH this spring but has yet to complete his throwing progression and could be weeks away from being ready to play the corner outfield.

Bassitt gave up two hits and two walks over 4.2 scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out four.

While he didn't have to deal with any of Minnesota's biggest bats, like Byron Buxton or Royce Lewis, Bassitt had little trouble dispatching the lineup he did face. The veteran righty built up to 71 pitches (46 strikes) in his longest outing of the spring, and he has a 10:6 K:BB through 9.2 Grapefruit League frames. Bassitt will be counted on to provide length in the middle of the rotation after posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 371 innings over his first two campaigns with the Blue Jays.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he plans to have Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers (shoulders) and Bregman as the top three in his batting order this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

They will be followed by Triston Casas and Trevor Story in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, at least against right-handers. Bregman has had a terrific spring at the plate with his new club, slashing .391/.467/.826 with a couple home runs.

The Mariners reassigned Lawrence to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Lawrence re-signed with Seattle in November on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league spring training, but the 37-year-old righty never appeared especially likely to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He's previously seen big-league action in parts of four seasons from 2017 through 2023, logging a lifetime 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 124 innings.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Story (back) will most likely return to Grapefruit League play Saturday versus Atlanta, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Story was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with back tightness. The original plan was for him to return to action Wednesday, but the team has opted to give him a few more days. Story has been red-hot at the plate this spring, going 11-for-24 with a pair of home runs.

The Mariners reassigned Kitchen to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Kitchen made four relief appearances with Miami during the 2024 season before being claimed off waivers by Seattle in September. He finished the season on the Mariners' 40-man roster before being outrighted in January, so he never seemed to be a likely candidate to claim a spot in Seattle's Opening Day bullpen. Kitchen is expected to work in relief at Triple-A Tacoma to begin the upcoming season.

Brito is just 2-for-21 at the plate this spring and could be behind Gabriel Arias in the pecking order at second base for the Guardians, Mandy Bell and Tim Stebbins of MLB.com report.

Both of Brito's hits have been home runs, but he's also struck out at a 30.4 percent clip this spring. The 23-year-old is on the 40-man roster but has not yet made his major-league debut, and a trip back to Triple-A Columbus could be in order, at least to start the season.